No one in Japan is going to buy the Core system (no one in the U.S. wants the core system, either - the Premium system is what everyone wants). But the Japanese are gadget crazy, so a featureless Xbox isn't going to whet their appetites. This move won't accomplish a thing.
MS doesn't understand the Japanese. Japan likes FEATURES. Not boring, watered-down, featureless technology like the core system. Yawn.
The way MS can succeed with its Xbox in Japan, is if they stamp the name "Sony" on it. Then the Japanese will go crazy for it and snap up every last one. The Japanese are pretty Sony-crazed, IMO.
But in all seriousness, MS needs to come out with a system that is even sleeker with better colors - and integrate every feature they can (forget add-ons!): integrate WiFi, integrate a HiDef drive, include a huge HDD (60GB at least), include TWO wireless gamepads (not just one), include the remote control, and add advanced connections like HDCP compatible HDMI, along with digital optical or coax, in addition to DVI and component connections. As a matter of fact, they should also backlight all the buttons and controls on both the gamepads and remote control (maybe allow for on-the-fly color changes) for nightime use.
They do this, then they'll have a great chance at succeeding in Japan.
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No one in Japan is going to buy the Core system (no one in the U.S. wants the core system, either - the Premium system is what everyone wants). But the Japanese are gadget crazy, so a featureless Xbox isn't going to whet their appetites. This move won't accomplish a thing.
MS doesn't understand the Japanese. Japan likes FEATURES. Not boring, watered-down, featureless technology like the core system. Yawn.
The way MS can succeed with its Xbox in Japan, is if they stamp the name "Sony" on it. Then the Japanese will go crazy for it and snap up every last one. The Japanese are pretty Sony-crazed, IMO.
But in all seriousness, MS needs to come out with a system that is even sleeker with better colors - and integrate every feature they can (forget add-ons!): integrate WiFi, integrate a HiDef drive, include a huge HDD (60GB at least), include TWO wireless gamepads (not just one), include the remote control, and add advanced connections like HDCP compatible HDMI, along with digital optical or coax, in addition to DVI and component connections. As a matter of fact, they should also backlight all the buttons and controls on both the gamepads and remote control (maybe allow for on-the-fly color changes) for nightime use.
They do this, then they'll have a great chance at succeeding in Japan.