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Microsoft's Sensui talks Xbox success (and lack thereof) in Japan
Xbox Japan boss, Takashi Sensui, recently sat down with Famitsu [via 1UP] to discuss Microsoft's successes and failures in the Japanese market since launching the original Xbox in 2002. Unlike other carefully worded and positively spun interviews given when discussing complete failures, Sensui leaves no stone unturned when outlining Microsoft's initial mistakes in the region. One of the major issues discussed was Microsoft's decision to price-cut the original Xbox, three months after it launched in Japan -- offering early adopters games and accessories as a consolation. "I was like 'Whoa, we're dropping the price already?!'," Sensui told the magazine. "We called it the 'Thank You Campaign,' but it was really more of a 'Sorry About That Campaign.'" Today the Xbox 360 isn't exactly lighting up the sales charts in Japan, but a steady stream of titles catered to the market have helped spike sales at times throughout the last year -- a plan Microsoft continues today. "I really feel like we're expanding now," Sensui said. "Seeing how the 360 has expanded its sales every year makes me very happy. I truly appreciate the support of the users and the perseverance of all the game developers that made it possible."
Xbox Japan sees 157% growth in the last year
The numbers aren't Earth shattering -- or cause for a sweater in the pits of Hell -- but Xbox 360 has found a small niche in Japan. Famitsu Marketing data (via GameDaily) outlines that the Xbox 360 has seen a year-to-year growth of an impressive 157% during the first seven months of the year. Before we start to prep our Sony eulogy for Japanese newspapers we should keep in mind that a growth of 157% on an already small group isn't much to brag about but Microsoft is hopeful for their future in the region. According to data from Famitsu the console has sold 748,992 units since its release in Japan and Microsoft hopes to crack the million units sold milestone, "as soon as possible." The spike in sales is in large part to the exclusive debut releases of the role-playing titles Tales of Vesperia and Infinite Undiscovery. The lifetime hardware sales numbers for each platform (and handheld) can be found after the jump. [via Joystiq]
TGS 08: 5 pictures of Xbox Japan's HQ
click to enlarge These are terrible. One isn't even of the building, but of the street in front of it! Clearly, after visiting Microsoft's Japanese Xbox HQ and providing you with relevant previews, we decided to justify our intolerable touristy-ness by sharing our on-the-spot snaps. It's like you were there and only remembered five things!%Gallery-33985%
Blue Dragon busts into Japanese sales charts
The first thing you should do when this sort of thing happens is somehow confirm that you're still in the same dimension you were in moments before. Examine newspapers, have a look in the mirror and make doubly sure that nobody is sporting an angry orangutan for a head. With that out of the way, you can return to the matter at hand -- there's an Xbox 360 game sitting in the fourth position of the weekly Japanese software sales chart. With a healthy 80,348 copies sold, it would appear that Microsoft's Blue Dragon is at least making some strides in the publisher's continuing battle against apathy in Japan.Examining the other bits of the chart on GamesAreFun, it's easy to imagine some of the cheaper headlines that could have been used for this post. "Blue Dragon crushes Zelda in Japanese sales!" While Blue Dragon enters the chart in fourth place, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess has since slid down to 17th in its second week. Post-launch Wii shortages could be to blame, as Wario Ware: Smooth Moves also fails to make it past the 23rd spot. The fact that Tales of Destiny and Final Fantasy VI Advance wind up below Blue Dragon, however, could be seen as more reassuring. Ah, but what about "Blue Dragon defeated by Pokemon?" In its tenth week, Pokemon Diamond occupies the third slot, with second and first place going to Sega's Yakuza 2 and Gundam SEED: Federation vs ZAFT II respectively. The install bases of the PS2 and DS make those games particularly tough opponents, so to snag fourth spot seems like a solid accomplishment. Keep an eye out for the infamous Japanese hardware sales later today to see how effective Blue Dragon is at shifting consoles.
