Microsoft to open Xbox 360 store in Tokyo?

The timing couldn't be any better on this one — ITmedia snapped some pics of the construction shielding surrounding what they suppose is an Xbox 360 store. Given the rumors about Microsoft putting up a similar store in Times Square, it seems like a valid hypothesis to us. Sure, it could end up being something else. But we probably shouldn't argue with the Ring of Light lest it give us another terrible ending to a Halo game.

[Mr Snickels @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

Who cares? Japanese people certainly don't. The first Xbox didn't even hit the one million mark. Sold like 500.000 I guess. I mean, the Dreamcast sold 3 million units in Japan only (ok, the DC is indeed much better than the Xbox: Rez, Shenmue 1, all sega games, all 2d beat em ups, soul calibur 1 etc).

They should've hooked up with Sega for the Japanese market, selling Sega-branded Xboxes.

[Chris Longo @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

What a waste of space
Um I don't think Xbox360 store will appeal to japanese developers even if they do decide to put a xbox360 place there because if you recall the japanese hardly made a dent with the orginal xbox hardware taking off maybe a sony ps3 place yes would be nice instead.

[Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

I believe they actually tried something similar with the original Xbox. Or at least, I read about something similar in Xbox Nation magazine, complete with photos, so it apparently did really exist. It was sort of a cafe with a bunch of Xbox stations set up, and you could buy them also. Obviously was not too popular.

[Gil @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

Microsoft's mentality: If at first you don't succeed... throw more money at it.

[rvcent @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

Are you certain it's a Microsoft project. It looks very much like those crop circles found all over the UK! Could the aliens have run out of crop fields?

[Serge @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

It's probably got something to do with next months Tokyo Game Show...

[Rickie @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

Seem's doubtfull, but microsoft obviously learned that they need to concentrate on Japan to gain a lot more market share.

[julius @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

Heh, I was walking past 1 Times Square a few days back and saw this guy pull out a gun and like 5 cops had him down in about a second and a half.

It reminded me of the story on here about the XBox store they are supposedly putting there. (Which I doubt because it still says "for lease" on it.)

BTW, what all would they sell in these places? I mean, the Nintendo store at Rock Center is pretty sparse, and they have a ton more shit to sell.

[OddManOut @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

I rember walking to akihabara from Ueno back in '02. Xbox banners up to high heaven...man they were hyping that thing (at least I think that was my '02 trip...maybe I'm confusing '04). Anyway, didn't do'em much good. They need Japanese developers to create JAPANESE (ONLY) games. There really are a lot of cultural and psychological factors that go into this that MS didn't really address with the xBox, and I think microsoft has learned that their standard 'You'll take what we give you (patch it nigh constantly) and like it' approach doesn't really work in the console market.

But who knows, in a new generation...anything is possible.

"They should've hooked up with Sega for the Japanese market, selling Sega-branded Xboxes."

Interesting thought. Might have helped them establish a customer base with the original xBox, but with the lack of compelling games in the J market I don't think it would have helped in the long run, and it's too late for the upcomming gen. NEXT next gen ? After all, the Xbox is sort of a descendant/distant cousin to the ill fated (yet awesome) Dreamcast, so again...I suppose anything is possible...

[Bill Gates @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

To poster's #1+2. Why the hate? If we want to pursue the Japanese community then let us be. Saying that the Japanese dont care at all is totally wrong. Unless you've taken your own survey or spoke with every single Japanese person don't speak for everyone except for yourself.

---- Bill Gates

[G D @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

Poster # 10: Are you really Bill Gates? If so I've been looking for you. I am college student attending college in NYC. I work full time and go to school full time. This hasn't been helping me out as it affects my grades. Any donation would be appreciated.

BTW: I hope you had a team of researchers speak to the Japanese before embarking on this project (might sound like a silly question cos after your intial disappointment I do believe you must have done your research on that economy before deciding to try it out again).

[Bill Gates @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

Forget about MS. We own the world anyway.

[giga_d @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

Japan will always support native consoles and games than a foreign competitor.

http://www.geocities.com/giga_d/html/quotes4.html

Whoever thinks MS is in a fair position to make a dent in the biased Japanese market, then your living in another world. MS can forget about trying to get somewhere in Japan, but at the same time they don't want to look like they've given up as that would look very bad and may stop the few Japanese developers who may hop on board.