| N4G | VGReleases | BADJoystick | GameNews24 | ZTGD | Price Comparison |

Read

270°

Microsoft targets 1 million Xbox 360 sales in Japan

Microsoft Corp's Japanese unit aims to achieve its domestic sales target of one million units for the Xbox 360 video game console as quickly as possible, a senior official said on Friday. Microsoft Co, the U.S. software giant's unit, hopes to boost sales by leveraging new games and boosting sales promotion efforts, Takashi Sensui, executive officer and chief of the home and entertainment division of the Tokyo-based firm, said.

Read Full Story >>

japantoday.com

Dannagar - contributor
Published: 452 days 15 hours ago | News | Xbox 360

Save | Email | Info | Report | Add Alt Source

Comment Settings

Showing: 1 - 35 of 35 Comments

Shut this user up

Let user speak

ReBurn - 452 days 14 hours ago

1 -

I guess you can't reach a goal if you don't set one. Microsoft is going to have to keep bringing great titles to the Japanese market to make that happen.

Agree(5) | Disagree(1) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

bishop-br - 452 days 14 hours ago

1.1 -

With WKS around the corner? I don't know... Maybe just bring then isn't enough.

Sure, 360 have now support from Squenix and Namco well-known franchises, that shall not hit PS3 'till later next year (if ever). But PS3 has past and nationality in their favor, if there is a console that can put up a new IP and change everything in Japan, it's the PS3 (specially if the IP is a JRPG, as huge as Final Fantasy and with "Level-5" write on the box).

I don't think they can maintain the momentum in Japan, but if they can, props to them, it's already impressive for a MS console to sell like it's selling (actually, it isn't that much, but Japan is on a low those last years, Wii and portables are sucking all the real money, but we know this is talking comparisons, and 360 is well over PS3 sales right now in comparison).

Anyway, I'm not holding my breath to see anyside come on top, in fact, I would be more interested if it was about any of those taking a real slice of the market from the Wii.

Agree(8) | Disagree(4) |

1.2 Megatron08 | 452 days 12 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show

Shut this user up

Let user speak

sunnygrg - 452 days 11 hours ago

1.3 -

When you make an aim that low, you will end up nowhere.

Agree(1) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Exia - 452 days 14 hours ago

2 - Good Job Microsoft

It's great news that they're trying in a market that's difficult for them to penetrate. Hopefully with the release of Last Remnant and Star Ocean 4, it will help them greatly.

Agree(5) | Disagree(6) |

2.1 solidt12 | 452 days 13 hours ago - deleted by mod -

3 Says you | 452 days 14 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show

Shut this user up

Let user speak

ReBurn - 452 days 13 hours ago

3.1 -

I don't think any single game is going to be responsible for selling millions of consoles. It is going to take more Japan-centric software to increase or maintain sales. A handful of RPG's isn't enough. They need those quirky titles that the Japanese market loves so much.

I'll always believe that it is software that is going to guarantee success, not price. Millions of PS3's and 360's have been sold at higher than historical prices. It has been some pretty stellar games that have made that possible.

Agree(2) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Lumbo - 452 days 14 hours ago

4 -

Totally possible, only like 35 weeks (3/4 of a year) at the current 7k/week rate. All depends on the definition of "soon"

Agree(3) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Dannagar - 452 days 14 hours ago

4.1 -

If the Xbox 360 maintains 7-8k units a week, and with the sales spike of Last Remnant, they should sell 250k by the end of the year. They are currently at 750k units in Japan. It might be a long shot.

Agree(1) | Disagree(2) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Lumbo - 452 days 14 hours ago

4.2 -

it is only 11 weeks till years end, and thats 11* 8k = 88k, not 300k
Considering that MS fails to keep supply up even during releases of high profile games i wouldn't bet on them even managing to SHIP 300k units till years end.

Agree(4) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Dannagar - 452 days 14 hours ago

4.3 -

Meh... Maybe by the release of Star Ocean 4.

Agree(1) | Disagree(1) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Spike47 - 452 days 14 hours ago

5 - maybe it's

temporary, maybe it isn't. Either way, do you expect Sony to just sit around and watch? LOL Have we already forgotten that ff13 and ffversus 13 are both exclusives in Japan?

Agree(3) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

AclayPS3 - 452 days 14 hours ago

6 -

The 360 has been out in Japan for almost 3 Years and it hasn't hit the 800K mark yet,I think the 360 has a chance to hit a Million in Japan in about another 6 months or more.

White Knight Chronicles for the PS3 in Japan has the potential of slowing down 360 sales substantially and that game will send PS3 sales through the roof for a while over there and the FF Advent Children PS3 bundles in March 09 has the potential of slowing down 360 sales as well and no doubt that bundle will send PS3 sales through the roof too.

I think there's a chance the 360 could hit a million in Japan about a month after Star Ocean 4 comes out because I definantly can't see the 360 hitting a million before Star Ocean 4 though.

Agree(5) | Disagree(1) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Lumbo - 452 days 14 hours ago

6.1 -

I wouldn't bet to much on StarOcean for the Jap. Market. StarOcean always sold way better in the west than in Japan. Its one of the jrpg's targeted at teh western world ^_^ and if it stays exclusive i will be hard pressed to buy a cheap 360 for it .. oh teh doom ...

Agree(4) | Disagree(3) |

7 Blademask | 452 days 14 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show

Shut this user up

Let user speak

IdleLeeSiuLung - 452 days 14 hours ago

7.1 -

I think that is a poor analogy, because for children you need to give them positive re-inforcement. Especially if they are retarded. I think your comment is kind'a uncalled for.

Agree(1) | Disagree(5) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Death - 452 days 13 hours ago

7.2 - Microsoft has no presence in Japan.

With Sony's dominance in all regions over the last decade it was a given that they would maintain the same marketshare from the last two generations. Appearantly most companies set their sales goals higher then the previous generation. Sure, the PS3 has 2 million compared to Xbox 360's 3/4 million but nobody expected sales to be close to 2-1 in Japan at anytime.

I understand you not wanting to give Microsoft a pass, but why would you give Sony a pass then? Have you seen Nintendos numbers? You are aware they are the market leader this gen, right?

-Death

Agree(2) | Disagree(3) |

7.3 Blademask | 452 days 13 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show

Shut this user up

Let user speak

DeathroW22 - 452 days 14 hours ago

8 - You have to admit..

Microsoft are trying very hard to get what they want, though i think they would of been able to do much better by investing resources in taking europe back, they obviously have NA so they don't need to worry about that - but the ps3 has the higher total sales in both japan and EU.

Agree(0) | Disagree(1) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

TrooGamer - 452 days 14 hours ago

9 -

They will reach it probably early next year..good luck to them.

Agree(1) | Disagree(2) |

10 tatsujin | 452 days 14 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show

Shut this user up

Let user speak

kewlkat007 - 452 days 13 hours ago

11 - It doesn't matter the Original Xbox never touched that number or came close, so yeah

it will still be a "breakthrough" or a "milestone" type Goal.

At least they have a goal. Ms doesn't have to be the major player in Japan, just let the games/marketing/market price/developer support take its course.

Just don't forfeit the game, like haters/fanboys have been insisting. The expectation are/were already so LOW in that region, that's why these numbers small/measly as they may look is still a positivestep regardless how you spin/cut it.

Now Sony/Nintendo's Expectation have always been High, hence the disappointment at Sony when you see their numbers. Nintendo is on cruise control.

Agree(0) | Disagree(1) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

eagle21 - 452 days 13 hours ago

12 - That picture was taken in 2006 by paid actors.....lol

360 won't sell 1 million in Japan until around this time next year.

Agree(4) | Disagree(2) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Capulous - 452 days 13 hours ago

13 -

Geez, this has nothing to do with the PS3; it is about the 360 achieving their set goal of 1mil consoles sold in Japan.

I can see this happening. Probably sometime next year.

Agree(0) | Disagree(3) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Silogon - 452 days 13 hours ago

14 -

So, in 3 years they still haven't hit 1 million sold, and are still 400,000 out from it. That means it will take about 6 more months to reach it and then to reach 2 million means another 3 and a half years. So, it failed is what Microsoft is saying.

PS3 is, in this respect, kicking their ass. not even 2 years on the market and the Ps3 has 2.6 million units sold on Japanese soil. By the time Microsoft reaches 1 million, Sony will be at about 3.4 million. See where this is going?

Sony has the box to make steady increases in user base, Microsoft doesn't. I really like the xbox 360, as many on here like to say, but the truth is the truth and that is the xbox 360 is a failed system in Japan and almost, techincally, the world.

After 3 years on the maket they only have 21 million units sold. Xbox had 26 million sold after it was killed off after only 4 years. Do you think The xbox 360 can sell 5 million in another year?

I don't think so, guys. When looking at it realistically, they failed this generation. The HD gen kind of did, really. People just weren't prepared for the xbox 360 or the ps3, I think.

I believe the PSs4 and xbox 3 will prove much, much, much more in demand.

Agree(5) | Disagree(1) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

TrooGamer - 452 days 13 hours ago

14.1 -

Never thought of it like that...lol

Agree(1) | Disagree(2) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

cmrbe - 452 days 10 hours ago

14.2 - siligon

thats what i have been trying to say.

Improvements for MS this gen.
1. more variety of games this gen.
2. Better proformance in Japan.
3. Securing major 3rd parties games that were once PS exclsuive.
4. The xbox divison finally turning a profit i think.

With all these improvements. The x360 is still 6 million behind the xbox 26 million in 4 years. Worst still for MS i assume most xbox users migrated once the xbox was disscontinued and Halo 3 out. The price is already cheap as is

For Sony Only RC and MGS are out as well as the fact that the PS2 is still supported and the PS3 still costing more than the PS2 at launch.

Agree(1) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

GWAVE - 452 days 13 hours ago

15 - Newsworthy?

I hope that the 360 does well in Japan. I really do. However, Microsoft's 3-decade-long policy of throwing money at a market they want to dominate isn't working out as well as they planned here in the video game market. Now they're flailing their arms, mocking Blu Ray, and getting the media excited over a very minor (in the grand scheme of things) sales spike. The reality is that the 360 has been selling this well IN THE ABSENCE of any major PS3 competition. That's what so many people forget when they read these "console sales wars" articles. With the exception of MGS4, the PS3 has had exactly ZERO big-name, system-selling exclusives come out on since launch, and yet it continues to keep pace with (and exceed) the 360. What do you think will happen when more games come out? God of War 3? Killzone 2? Despite the 360 greater number of exclusives, greater number of owners, and greater number of online players, the PS3 is still catching up much faster than most people predicted....and all without very many big-name exclusives pushing it forward.

Instead of making the "other guy's" go multiplatform via a fat wad of cash, I genuinely want to see them come out with some original content. Seriously. Just a few new IPs, Microsoft. Pleeeease.

Agree(3) | Disagree(1) |

16 VforVideogames | 452 days 12 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show

Shut this user up

Let user speak

robotnik - 452 days 12 hours ago

16.1 -

you are now breathing manually

Agree(0) | Disagree(1) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Firstkn1ghT - 452 days 8 hours ago

17 -

The 360 is picking up steam at a perfect time. The holidays are almost upon us and everything is just right for the 360. The Jaspers are out. RROD is now just a memory that will probably be used by sony fanboys forever. Great exclusives and AAA titles are starting to roll out almost weekly. Left 4 Dead, Fable 2, Race Pro, Gears 2, Banjo are all going to be huge sellers. Sony doesn't have any real heavy hitters this holiday season. LBP is probably their biggest game but those types of games don't sell well. You also have to look at the worlds economy being in chaos expensive products like the ps3 and bluray will take a huge hit. Easy win for Microsoft this holiday season.

Agree(2) | Disagree(2) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

GWAVE - 452 days 7 hours ago

17.1 - Huh?

So White Knight Chronicles in Japan isn't big? Resistance 2?

Agree(2) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Emmo - 452 days 1 hour ago

17.2 -

WKC is going to be huge, but sorry R2 will not be massive in Japan.

Agree(0) | Disagree(0) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

gamer z - 452 days 3 hours ago

18 - Firstkn1ghT

I was thinking the same thing...

Agree(0) | Disagree(2) |

Showing: 1 - 35 of 35 Comments

Add Comment (Gamer Zone)

Gamer Zone Posting Guidelines
The Gamer Zone is for members who want a more friendly and civilized discussion. This section is heavily moderated by the N4G staff, so leave your fanboyism at the door please. Members who are unable to behave in a mature and respectful manner will be temporarily or permanently restricted from posting in the Gamer Zone. Using words such as Xbots and Sony droids, or other words from the console war vocabulary, is strictly prohibited in this Zone.
Read More...

You must log in to post comments.

Username:

Password:

Remember

Comment Settings

Showing: 1 - 26 of 26 Comments

1 CEO of Troll Corp | 452 days 15 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Internet Trolling Expert - 452 days 15 hours ago

1.1 -

That picture you made really represents the sad xbox situation

http://i38.tinypic.com/dovp...

Agree(6) | Disagree(6) |

1.2 Potty Scotty | 452 days 15 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show

1.3 eric100 | 452 days 15 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show

1.4 Potty Scotty | 452 days 15 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show

1.5 eric100 | 452 days 15 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Pain - 452 days 14 hours ago

1.6 - If M$ can buy some more JP RPG's as exclusives..maybe..

but any other way not a chance.

Agree(3) | Disagree(0) |

1.7 Potty Scotty | 452 days 14 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show

Shut this user up

Let user speak

ThatCanadianguy420 - 452 days 15 hours ago

2 -

Ohohohaha,3 years later and your just NOW targeting 1 million in Japan? Oh microsoft..

Agree(5) | Disagree(3) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

karlostomy - 452 days 1 hour ago

2.1 - oh good call

That reminds me

it's been 3 years since the 360 launched and the directly competing ps3 is STILL 5 million behind?

Deary me Sony. What happened?

Agree(0) | Disagree(1) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Bill Gates - 452 days 15 hours ago

3 - It's only taken them like 10 years to get there....AHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHA

Stupid BABOONS.....AAHHAHHAHHAHHHAHA

Agree(2) | Disagree(1) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Patchstation 3 - 452 days 15 hours ago

4 -

Nice....The user base is growing from the last Xbox. All thanks to Sony and their lackluster PS3.

Agree(7) | Disagree(11) |

4.1 eric100 | 452 days 15 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Patchstation 3 - 452 days 14 hours ago

4.2 -

Damn...eric200 aka NASIM you must be crippled. Where do you find the time to create so many accounts?

Agree(5) | Disagree(5) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

IzKyD1331 - 452 days 14 hours ago

4.3 -

when the bots don't have anything to say, they just go nasim accusing all over the place....I AM NASIM!

Agree(3) | Disagree(2) |

4.4 theKiller | 452 days 12 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Patchstation 3 - 452 days 14 hours ago

5 - Sony wants Xbox 360 to succeed in Japan

Sony Worldwide Studios President Shuhei Yoshida said in an interview with GI.biz that he'd like the Xbox 360 to succeed in Japan for the sake of pushing HD gaming. Yoshida would like to see the PS3 and Xbox 360 be more successful in Japan and getting consumers moving beyond the Wii's dated technology. Yoshida even goes on to compliment Microsoft's NXE and the Avatars, expressing that he prefers it over the Miis.

http://www.joystiq.com/2008...

I heard it all....Sony is running scared.

Confirmed: Sony Studios on XBLM

Agree(5) | Disagree(8) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Veraegic - 452 days 14 hours ago

5.1 -

you are too proud of yourself my friend

Agree(3) | Disagree(2) |

6 Agent VX | 452 days 14 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show

7 4cough | 452 days 14 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show

Shut this user up

Let user speak

eagle21 - 452 days 13 hours ago

8 - That picture is the same picture from 2006.....

Those 4 in the picture sure didn't turn into 1 million for the first 3 years....lol

Agree(1) | Disagree(1) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Official Blue - 452 days 12 hours ago

9 -

They prob will when Star Ocean hits! But it's taken them 3 years for them to reach that point and thats hardly impressive... is it?

Agree(0) | Disagree(1) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

robotnik - 452 days 12 hours ago

10 - Micofrooft

Will they sell defective units like they did in Spain?

Agree(0) | Disagree(1) |

Shut this user up

Let user speak

belal - 452 days 11 hours ago

11 - 360 wont reach 1 mill this year thats for sure and maybe not next year either. ps3 will hit

6 mill when 360 hits 1 thats fo sho!

Agree(1) | Disagree(2) |

12 HairyBrownSack | 452 days 10 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show

Shut this user up

Let user speak

Blu Ray3 - 452 days 2 hours ago

12.1 - Harry Brown Sack......................one bubble?

You are f#@ked.

Agree(0) | Disagree(2) |

Showing: 1 - 26 of 26 Comments

Add Comment (Open Zone)

Open Zone Posting Guidelines
The Open Zone is a lightly moderated comment section which is open to all members. With enthusiastic fans eager to defend their favorite platform this place can get pretty hot.
Read More...

You must log in to post comments.

Username:

Password:

Remember

Join N4G

Login

About N4G

N4G is a social game news site that covers the game industry 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
More Info... | Submit News

- Site Menu
  
  Game Index
  Help & Info
  
  RSS Feed
  Feedback
  
  Full Menu...
  Webmaster Tools