The 360 is undergoing something of a resurgence in Japan, according to sources in the Japanese retail sector, with the 360 Elite selling out.
Last week, Microsoft reduced the price of the Core console in Japan to 27,800 Yen (around £120) while introducing a new Value Pack console consisting of a Premium machine, Forza Motorsport 2 and Viva Pinata for 34,00 Yen (£150-ish) in the territory.
This also coincided with the release of Namco's Ace Combat 6, along with the addition of popular Japanese orientated titles such as Blue Dragon and The Idolmaster to the console's Platinum budget range.
And so far, the signs are that this may have worked. According to Gamefront.de, retail chain Asobit has seen a significant rise in demand for the 360 and its related products. According to the report, Ace Combat 6 is selling particularly well, while the Elite model of the 360 actually sold out.
Companies, particularly public companies like Microsoft, need to grow.
i mean its pretty simple, they spent close to 30 billion in acquiring activision, they thought they'd make it bk no problem, and that didnt happen.
its just shit that because of MS's miscalculation alot of people lost their jobs.
They are going to use AI for a large portion of the game development process. Upper management need bonuses and the shareholders need more money. So, people will lose their jobs.
They shouldn't have bought any studios. Some is okay...but they went on a shopping spree...stupid
The better question is why did Microsoft buy publishers for a service they were subsidizing they knew couldn't support.
And why are so many websites trying to make people feel sorry for Microsoft instead of truly criticizing the fact they are closing studios and killing jobs that would have been fine if Microsoft themselves hadn't gotten involved.
Quit feeling sorry for Microsoft and start feeling sorry for the industry and the all the gamers who are actually losing out.
THIS IS MICROSOFTS FAULT.
The first thing that happens after any major acquisition or merger is a consolidation of the whole new portfolio, which includes cutting any excess, bloat or portfolios that don't fit the larger MO of the big boy. So far, it's been par for the course with Microsoft and that's why gamers have been so against this acquisition. Tango Gameworks is the beginning. You think Microsoft wants to pay to keep small timers like Ninja Theory in business?
There is absolutely zero evidence to suggest that Microsoft will improve any of these studios, but plenty to suggest that they will get rid of what they don't need and hold onto the IP. The real agenda of the acquisition was always to acquire The Elder Scrolls, Diablo, Fallout, Call of Duty, Candy Crush etc. that will create millions in passive revenue stream for Microsoft regardless of where the games release. Microsoft simply wants their cut.
Because of Games Pass Microsoft has no interest in investing in new IP which is risky and requires creative talent they can neither nurture nor manage. Game Pass has also not grown in the way Microsoft expected it to, even post acquisitions. Therefore the logical thing to do, without serious money makers to release, is to cut as much cost as possible.
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I'd expect this month to be quite a spike on the Japanese hardware sales chart for the 360, with 3 Elites being sold. And by the end of the month, only 2 of those will still be working. Congratulations Microsoft, that's 2 happy americans that are living in Japan
@shadowflare
Your wrong. And flaming. The elite is a great console...who wouldn't want to buy it. It has less hardware failure btw. Bomboclad!
Elite has the same hardware failure rate as any 360. Which is not great. :)
You can't deny it, all the stock of 700 360 elite consoles where sold, it shows an increase of 700 units sold in Japan. Well done.
Of course the PS3 sold 1600 more and the Wii sold 2500 more. The Wii has hit the spot with the Japanese this generation, there seems to be nothing Microsoft or Sony can do about that right now.
it should have less failures. Its been out 2 years and the Elite cost 450bucks
Im getting a Elite for Mass Effect in the new year afer hopefully a price drop. Anyone that got a 360 on launch or has bought the core is not or does not have a nextgen machine. If you dont have a HDMI hook up your machine is outdated.
I want a Elite that is made in 08 so i know it has all the new chips and stuff. I also want it for under 400bucks. 329 would be perfect
When the PS3 luanched it outdated more then half of all 360 sold