New, cheaper Xbox 360 model coming to Japan

Microsoft has announced that beginning on March 6th it will begin selling a cheaper Xbox 360 model in Japan.

The new model will have identical specifications to the Xbox 360 Arcade model which was released in the US late last year. It will include an HDMI output, a wireless controller, and a 256MB memory card instead of a HDD.

Microsoft says the new model will retail for JPY 27,800, about $260 USD, which is one-fifth less than the current lowest priced model.

Since its launch in 2005, the company has sold 17.7 million consoles worldwide but has declined to give a regional breakdown. Regardless, analysts have continually shown that the 360 continues to struggle in Japan, selling as little as 300,000 consoles last year in Japan while the rival Sony PlayStation 3 sold 1.2 million consoles and the market leader Nintendo Wii sold 3.6 million units in the area.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 4 Feb 2008 15:59

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46 comments

xXxBG

WOW, like that will make a differance!!

4.2.2008 16:32 #1

silk42

Not sure if anyone here is from Japan, but if so, maybe you can shed some light. What is the main reason that the XBox doesn't sell in Japan? Is it price? Lack of Japanese games? People there simply don't like Microsoft?

I'm guessing the issue isn't price, but I could be wrong. However, if I am right, then this drop in price won't really make a difference.

4.2.2008 16:37 #2

MrXenu

Its cheaper than the ps3 out their, i'm gonan guess brand loyalty, the fact that the japanesse will generally only buy products which their own country make, not being stereotypical here, but its true, japanese peopel are very 'loyal' to their own country!

Also its not as if the ps3 has had many japanese games out on it, i think their are more 360 japanese games then there are ps3 japanese games. 360 has a lot more RPG's, that are good and has a few goof JRPG's (Blue Dragon)

Just my 2 pence!

4.2.2008 17:16 #3

ZippyDSM

Originally posted by silk42: Not sure if anyone here is from Japan, but if so, maybe you can shed some light. What is the main reason that the XBox doesn't sell in Japan? Is it price? Lack of Japanese games? People there simply don't like Microsoft?

I'm guessing the issue isn't price, but I could be wrong. However, if I am right, then this drop in price won't really make a difference.2 reasons brand lotilty and lack of JP fan fav genres likw RPGs and such,MS should drop the whole Anti AO gimmick and let devs make hentai and PG13-R rated romance sims get them out in both markets in one pressing, let devs put mroe spice into gaming cause the gamepaly is dead and rotting.....

4.2.2008 17:23 #4

snowlock

Originally posted by MrXenu: ...the fact that the japanesse will generally only buy products which their own country make, not being stereotypical here, but its true, japanese peopel are very 'loyal' to their own country...this is the reason i've always seen for the lack of 360 sales in japan. there's no way it's game selection, because 360 had an entire year's worth of releases before ps3 even hit the market; loyalty to domestic-made products just makes sense.

unlike here in the us with japanese-made games and even -shudders- japanese cars, the market for such american-branded products is just about worthless in japan. from what i've heard, it's their import fees on cars that make it all but impossible for ford or gm and the like to sell anything over there. that's obviously not the only reason if 360 sells for the same price over there.

4.2.2008 21:03 #5

ZippyDSM

Quote:Originally posted by MrXenu: ...the fact that the japanesse will generally only buy products which their own country make, not being stereotypical here, but its true, japanese peopel are very 'loyal' to their own country...this is the reason i've always seen for the lack of 360 sales in japan. there's no way it's game selection, because 360 had an entire year's worth of releases before ps3 even hit the market; loyalty to domestic-made products just makes sense.

unlike here in the us with japanese-made games and even -shudders- japanese cars, the market for such american-branded products is just about worthless in japan. from what i've heard, it's their import fees on cars that make it all but impossible for ford or gm and the like to sell anything over there. that's obviously not the only reason if 360 sells for the same price over there.dude...its game selection...... they like a different genre type than the mainstream shooters and US style RPGs and "games" in general on the 360.

4.2.2008 22:55 #6

jutsu

Yeah. Its the game.
Galg� is very popular in japan.

Hentai is not a must, many visualnovel like CLANNAD success is pc.
Utawarerumono on ps2, air on ps2 and many more.

5.2.2008 02:31 #7

ZippyDSM

Originally posted by jutsu: Yeah. Its the game.
Galg� is very popular in japan.

Hentai is not a must, many visualnovel like CLANNAD success is pc.
Utawarerumono on ps2, air on ps2 and many more.Well my AO rant goes a bit deeper,look at sega back in the day before the ESRB they took a more active interest in the content in their games where ninteniod just said no, I really think MS could change the face of gaming by letting AO games be made on the 360, however they will need a board to approve the games before its passed on to the ESRB.

I can see the 360 growing in mature content and expanding is game base with it, the only other alternative is to "setup shop" in JP ,spend 2-5B and create a development house that dose not create games but translates and launches titles in 3-5 languages at once, screw the local dominator that business plan falls on its face more often than not and a lot of games go unpublished in a lot of areas, what MS can do and has the money to do it with is build a dev house that dose not make games but ports and translates them,from thier they can make deals with JP devs saying their games will be released in JP for 30-40$ wile in the US and euro land,ect,ect they will be 10-20$ more in the US.

Doing this and doing it soon will double or tripple the 360s library and they can even have a PS2 devs come to them and say we have these games ported to the 360, also you can have devs take preorders for a project port, if they meet the basic reqs the game will get ported if not those that made the preorder would get 80-90% refunded back theres a lot of untaped profits in this plan, but it will cost arm and a leg to get it started.

5.2.2008 02:46 #8

kyo28

This is a pretty pointless move as price has never been a determining factor in the Japanese market. The problems the 360 has in Japan can be summed up as:

- lack of games oriented to the market (aside from Ace Combat 6, Blue Dragon and Lost Oddessey, there aren't much exclusive games aimed at Japanese gamers on the console)
- lack of brand recognition. The 360 isn't profiling itself the way Nintendo and Sony are in Japan.
- poor customer support: they need to increase customer support (waiting times, overall service quality, etc)
- RROD is a huge problem, regardless of the extended warranty.

Basically, Japanese consumers value brand recognition and quality over price. An overpriced leather Gucci bag will sell more than a nameless bag made of poor quality fabric. Same goes for consoles. Ms really shows they don't understand the Japanese consumer in that regard.

5.2.2008 05:38 #9

ZippyDSM

Originally posted by kyo28: This is a pretty pointless move as price has never been a determining factor in the Japanese market. The problems the 360 has in Japan can be summed up as:

- lack of games oriented to the market (aside from Ace Combat 6, Blue Dragon and Lost Oddessey, there aren't much exclusive games aimed at Japanese gamers on the console)
- lack of brand recognition. The 360 isn't profiling itself the way Nintendo and Sony are in Japan.
- poor customer support: they need to increase customer support (waiting times, overall service quality, etc)
- RROD is a huge problem, regardless of the extended warranty.

Basically, Japanese consumers value brand recognition and quality over price. An overpriced leather Gucci bag will sell more than a nameless bag made of poor quality fabric. Same goes for consoles. Ms really shows they don't understand the Japanese consumer in that regard.This is true, in order to start a dev house to make it cheap for devs to sell their games on the 360 as well as create a PR system in JP they are going to have to fight there spending millions if not billoins to make ail headway, they have never seemed interested to do this since they keep using the its shiny it will sale RP spew for their games...which seem to work fine for the US and euro land..a lot of zombie gamers with disposalable income to drool over shiny....

Sure sony messed up on price..the launch...BWC..... but in a year or 2 it will dominate the high end console market while the WII maintains pwnage over all, they still have the devs and the 360 is not getting any younger....

5.2.2008 05:45 #10

snowlock

Originally posted by : dude...its game selection...... they like a different genre type than the mainstream shooters and US style RPGs and "games" in general on the 360.i just can't see it that way. i don't see how their problem could be game selection, when 360 has a larger and more varied library of games. i really don't know anything about japanese taste in games, but i don't like mainstream shooters (usually...cod4 is great) or basically any type of rpg. game selection isn't the reason i'd avoid 360, the main problem i have is their last-gen-style online support (paid online play and no wifi.)
i just know that japanese pop culture (and story/writing in games) is basically a fawning tribute to american culture (to me.) i guess that doesn't mean they loved red dead revolver or the gta series or anything else for that matter.

5.2.2008 06:19 #11

Gnawnivek

Why MS bother to pump more X360s into Japan with a 1/5 reduced price? It might sell some, but it's a losing battle, everyone knows it...

Here are some reasons i think why the X360 is not doing well in Japan:

1. RRoD, big turn off... Please fix that MS... With the new chip, the failure rate is now around 10% (big improvement from 30%)
2. Live subscription fees
3. FPS games don't do well in Japan (motion sickness)

I'm leaving out brand loyalty (too flaming)... personally, i don't think it matters, it all comes down to what i'm buying and what it offers (i.e. what's in it for me?).

5.2.2008 09:48 #12

silk42

It definitely sounds like price isn't the issue for the 360 not selling. I guess if MS isn't totally convinced of this, they can have a weekend special (maybe during a Japanese Holiday) and offer the 360 for $99 and see how many they sell. If they're able to move a 100,000 units, which would be impressive considering they only sold 300,000 all of last year, then maybe they can conclude that price does matter. If sales don't spike significantly, then maybe they'll finally realize that they have to look at other areas to improve on.

5.2.2008 10:42 #13

BludRayne

I would love more spice in U.S. games. I welcome the AO rating, too bad Walmart will never sells those.

5.2.2008 13:30 #14

ZippyDSM

Quote:Originally posted by : dude...its game selection...... they like a different genre type than the mainstream shooters and US style RPGs and "games" in general on the 360.i just can't see it that way. i don't see how their problem could be game selection, when 360 has a larger and more varied library of games. i really don't know anything about japanese taste in games, but i don't like mainstream shooters (usually...cod4 is great) or basically any type of rpg. game selection isn't the reason i'd avoid 360, the main problem i have is their last-gen-style online support (paid online play and no wifi.)
i just know that japanese pop culture (and story/writing in games) is basically a fawning tribute to american culture (to me.) i guess that doesn't mean they loved red dead revolver or the gta series or anything else for that matter.its rather easy ignore price and graphics and look at the PS2 game selection, now select all the game types that do not easily come out in the US or the 360and you have the reason why the 360 is a 3rd wheel.

By the time you add up games and brand loyalty(the US likes its US made goods so whats the problem with it?), the 360s hardware issues the extra monthly fee for live it just all adds up, hell looking at whats avabile for the 360 I can't even jump into it at current prices because it dosent have the stuff I want to play.

BludRayne
the 360 has the same issues the Xbox did a lack of vairaty in games and MS is unwilling to do something about it.

5.2.2008 14:02 #15

ikari

So does that mean they are going to lower the price everywhere else too?

While I going to guess they aren't (right now at least), it show that they are really trying to get the numbers up in Japan. As mentioned in other posts, MS doesn't understand Japanese consumer practices.

5.2.2008 15:05 #16

ZippyDSM

Originally posted by ikari: So does that mean they are going to lower the price everywhere else too?

While I going to guess they aren't (right now at least), it show that they are really trying to get the numbers up in Japan. As mentioned in other posts, MS doesn't understand Japanese consumer practices.I would say the current strategy is to lower price in JP because thats the main market most of the console makers focus on, the US will get price drops next.

I foresee the 360 dropping to 200-250 for the premium unit in a year.

5.2.2008 15:09 #17

snowlock

Originally posted by BludRayne: I would love more spice in U.S. games. I welcome the AO rating, too bad Walmart will never sells those.that's the very reason no one makes ao rated games. walmart and, i believe, target are the two largest retailers of video games. they sell more than anyone, so if they won't sell it then no one will make it.

Originally posted by ZippyDSM: ...MS should drop the whole Anti AO gimmick and let devs make hentai and PG13-R rated romance sims get them out in both markets in one pressing, let devs put mroe spice into gaming cause the gamepaly is dead and rotting.....that would probably work, and i completely agree it would put some new kicks into dying gameplay.

5.2.2008 16:56 #18

ZippyDSM

Quote:Originally posted by BludRayne: I would love more spice in U.S. games. I welcome the AO rating, too bad Walmart will never sells those.that's the very reason no one makes ao rated games. walmart and, i believe, target are the two largest retailers of video games. they sell more than anyone, so if they won't sell it then no one will make it.

Originally posted by ZippyDSM: ...MS should drop the whole Anti AO gimmick and let devs make hentai and PG13-R rated romance sims get them out in both markets in one pressing, let devs put mroe spice into gaming cause the gamepaly is dead and rotting.....that would probably work, and i completely agree it would put some new kicks into dying gameplay.
It is only part of the picture, Wallmart and stores like it are in the mature media misconspection haze, they sale without restriction R rated and NC17(unrated) DVDs yet frown on music and games, however that haze expands into the family friendly bizaro world of we know most gamers are adults but we don;t want to lose sales from anal retentive parents thus we put in place these bizaro bans on the approval of AO titles.

Is not that AO is baned by retail some stores wont sale them some will the problem is the console makers will not let the market deal with the issue in a realistic way they instead ban it, one needs approval to release a game on a console thus censoring the marketplace.

Wallyworld is delaying carding for all media because if they have to they would loss some of their bottom line
to it and as the old zippy saying goes the 800LB gorilla butt needs to lose a couple ounces to better sit on the consumer....

5.2.2008 17:18 #19

theschaft

I believe MS is trying to expand to other countries through selling a cheaper system. Apparently and most definately, Japan favors Sony over Microsoft. The Wii sells good everywhere, where as the 360 is a more dominant system in the U.S., the PS3 is more popular in Japan. How much do PS3s sell for in Japan?

A big factor cannot be the game types. How could it be the game types if PS3 has only come out with a backwards compatible system now. The PS3 was way too expensive. Yes it has blu-ray, yes it does have better graphic capabilities than any other system, but does it really have any good games out for it that aren't also out for the 360? Maybe two. My guess is that Japan just doesn't like the idea of Microsoft. They will support their companies over the companies of the U.S. Would the Japanese really put Sony out of business by supporting Microsoft?

8.2.2008 08:50 #20

Gnawnivek

Originally posted by theschaft: I believe MS is trying to expand to other countries through selling a cheaper system. Apparently and most definately, Japan favors Sony over Microsoft. The Wii sells good everywhere, where as the 360 is a more dominant system in the U.S., the PS3 is more popular in Japan. How much do PS3s sell for in Japan?

A big factor cannot be the game types. How could it be the game types if PS3 has only come out with a backwards compatible system now. The PS3 was way too expensive. Yes it has blu-ray, yes it does have better graphic capabilities than any other system, but does it really have any good games out for it that aren't also out for the 360? Maybe two. My guess is that Japan just doesn't like the idea of Microsoft. They will support their companies over the companies of the U.S. Would the Japanese really put Sony out of business by supporting Microsoft?For the record, you can't really compare the PS3's game library with the X360's, because the X360 has been out much longer than the PS3. MS's rush to get the X360 out before the PS3 was a big risk, but it worked for MS (not only made money, but established a much larger fan base). The PS3 is not doing all that bad and this year is the year of the PS3. Big titles like MGS4 (June), FFXIII (Fall), R2:UWS (Fall), LBP (Fall) will certainly make some noise... Also, a number of ports will be ported to the PS3 (e.g. Lost Planet). As to on-line, PS3's free on-line service will be on par with XLive when Home is released. There are also rumors that the PS3 will hit the $300 USD mark this summer (or November holiday season).

Lastly, even if Japanese gamers support the X360, it will not put Sony out of business. It certainly will cripple Sony's game division, but far far away from out of business...

8.2.2008 09:24 #21

theschaft

How is this year the year for PS3. People say a lot about certain games but most of it is hype. I guess we will see. Do you remember Kill Zone, the Halo killer? So much for that. What do you mean larger fan base? People who wanted it and could afford it got one. It would be a good thing for PS3 to drop in price. Maybe then more people will be able to purchase one. That could save blu-ray, but from what I know, HD DVD is where things are going.

Cripple is the right word for what I was trying to say. Of course it wouldn't put Sony out of business. People still purchase PS3s. They have many products other than gaming consoles so support their companies income.

8.2.2008 09:44 #22

ZippyDSM

360 has no chance in beating ether nin or sony in Jp they simply do not have the game types for it and are unwilling to go out of their way get the devs to do it.

8.2.2008 09:48 #23

theschaft

You are just a hater of XBox. What do you mean the game types? They don't need to go out of their way. Microsoft is already on top. Attempting to stay there is not a bad idea.

8.2.2008 09:52 #24

ZippyDSM

Originally posted by theschaft: You are just a hater of XBox. What do you mean the game types? They don't need to go out of their way. Microsoft is already on top. Attempting to stay there is not a bad idea.Its just fact....how long has the 360 been out how long have they been keeping the price lower than the US and how poorly has it sold, the system is not gear twored JP gamers much like how poorly the Xbox did in JP.

And with the fail rates,poor hardware and half of the better titles being on PC who needs a 360...or PS3 for that matter both are bloated POS's that are using 110 year old tech to do games on, I don't care about graphics and physics suck if the game dose and gameplay for most games is like hollywoods dialog/scripting IT SUCKS for the price.

Despite me being a game nazi fact is fact the 360 dose not have the JP games JP likes nor the genre types thats why its always failed to lead the JP market.

And you being such a 360fanboy you seem to fail to read when I say they COULD lead JP if they make a focused effort and go out of thier way to do it.(willing to setup a dev house that will let devs cheaply port and translate games so they can be launched in 3+ markets at once).

8.2.2008 10:04 #25

theschaft

You are right. I like 360. Yes in Japan they are not selling well. What I said was that it is stupid to say that MS should not have even tried to sell 360s in Japan. Microsoft is trying to expand its sales so what. Is it really so bad? Apparently that's not giving any expansion effort. For the price consoles are not that bad. Computers can be really expensive when purchasing to play to new games. Consoles can automaticaly play the games that are out for them, no upgrade necessary. Although I agree the PC is better.

8.2.2008 10:16 #26

ZippyDSM

Originally posted by theschaft: You are right. I like 360. Yes in Japan they are not selling well. What I said was that it is stupid to say that MS should not have even tried to sell 360s in Japan. Microsoft is trying to expand its sales so what. Is it really so bad? Apparently that's not giving any expansion effort. For the price consoles are not that bad. Computers can be really expensive when purchasing to play to new games. Consoles can automaticaly play the games that are out for them, no upgrade necessary. Although I agree the PC is better.Stop selling or stop trying is silly, they do need to stay completive but they wont get anywhere by doing things like price drops they will maintain but not more than that, perhaps when the library doubles and the prices are half that of the PS3 it will boom alil then...but JP seems to always like its fav systems more.

I am sorry but you are PC ignorant I can run my PC for 3-4 years and keep it new game relevant, I plan my upgrades around 3-5 year periods , its true it can cost twice as much as a new console(I spent 500$ to upgrade my system to a 6600E,2GB 800Mhz ram,8800ts 610MB,sold off my old PC parts for about 200) but the games are cheaper...I can play movies older games and 20X more stuff on it,not to mention paying 5$ a month more for live, I can plug my device of choice into my PC and control a game how I want I am not locked into a gimmicky poorly laid out pad.

Consoles are suck in the stone ages with the loss of cheat devices to make poorly made 60$ games fun and no way to remap out controls and god forbid you want to use a mouse and KB.

For console gaming to be worth the price IMO they need either cheat devices or full button mapping/full KB&mouse support.

But meh opinions they stink :P

8.2.2008 10:32 #27

Gnawnivek

Originally posted by theschaft: How is this year the year for PS3. People say a lot about certain games but most of it is hype. I guess we will see. Do you remember Kill Zone, the Halo killer? So much for that. What do you mean larger fan base? People who wanted it and could afford it got one. It would be a good thing for PS3 to drop in price. Maybe then more people will be able to purchase one. That could save blu-ray, but from what I know, HD DVD is where things are going.

Cripple is the right word for what I was trying to say. Of course it wouldn't put Sony out of business. People still purchase PS3s. They have many products other than gaming consoles so support their companies income.Believe me, this year is the year for the PS3... and no, KZ is certainly not Halo killer (notice that i didn't even mention it). Perhaps Kill Zone is all hype. Anyhow, all i'm saying, the games are coming (check this month's EGM for the titles, they have this little planner thing, where you rate the games per your taste).

By large fan base, i mean, the X360 was rushed out before the PS3 just to get ahead of the game. If you had read the truth behind the X360's infamous RRoD problem, you know that it was the management's decision to rush out the console (they knew the console has design issues). The MS gaming management team gambled on the earlier X360 release. The bet was a good one for MS, even with RRoD problems. Not only they established a good fan base, but also Live users (which they also earned money from). Because of that, the PS3 got a lot to catch up...

Also, i think you're not up-to-date on the HDM front... Blu-ray doesn't need to be saved and HD-DVD is not where things should be (Where HD-DVD is going? To the grave... Personally, i don't know what it can do to save itself).

8.2.2008 11:33 #28

theschaft

I see where you are coming from for the most part. Thank you for supporting your statements. As for the HD DVD and Blu-ray, I guess we will see.

8.2.2008 11:43 #29

ZippyDSM

Gnawnivek
o7 was the year of the 360 nothing liek the hype of fail like halo 3 and bioshock, both are about solid as the new star wars movies and have as many drooling fans....

the 360 can only really sustain itself unless MS dose some price cutting and puts better hardware in the 360, otherwise the 360 is going to get worse over time.

the PS3 can only get better.

the WII will maintain its kingdom well.

8.2.2008 11:50 #30

Gnawnivek

Originally posted by theschaft: I see where you are coming from for the most part. Thank you for supporting your statements. As for the HD DVD and Blu-ray, I guess we will see.For that reason that's why i still have my HD-DVD add-on for the X360. Not because Blu-ray is winning, but because it will still take a lot of times for the current exclusive HD-DVDs to get ported over to Blu-ray. I mean, hell knows when Bourne HD-DVDs gonna get released on Blu-ray... Same thing with Spiderman if HD-DVD camp is gaining the upper hand. People supporting one format over the other don't seem to see that...

8.2.2008 12:13 #31

Gnawnivek

Originally posted by ZippyDSM: Gnawnivek
o7 was the year of the 360 nothing liek the hype of fail like halo 3 and bioshock, both are about solid as the new star wars movies and have as many drooling fans....

the 360 can only really sustain itself unless MS dose some price cutting and puts better hardware in the 360, otherwise the 360 is going to get worse over time.

the PS3 can only get better.

the WII will maintain its kingdom well.wow ZippyDSM, for the first time, i actually agree with you :)

As a X360 owner, nothing is more hurtful to hear people's complaint about RRoD (went through that once myself). Please MS, fix the problem (no, 10% from 30% is not good enough) and restore the good name to the X360.

Once PS3 catches up or on par with X360, MS got a lot to think about... As of now, the two biggest turn off for me for the X360 are:
1. RRoD problem (yes, my X360 is under warranty, but i don't want to waste 3-4 weeks get it fixed for FREE again).
2. Xbox Live fee (sorry, this should be FREE, if not, $1 a month sounds good). I have to wait like two weeks to download the latest demos (yes, if you don't pay, you can't download demos on day one). Many Gold members think downloading demo when first available actually a value added feature (go figure this one out yourself).

8.2.2008 12:24 #32

ZippyDSM

Gnawnivek

MS could do 2 simple things that would truly revolutionize gaming to the point where I wont mind the hardware issues and yearly life fee.

1. Full remappable KB and mouse support,do this through firmware so all games support it, doing ti through a 50$ MS adapter is actsceable as well.

2.Create a board to let in some AO titles,let devs at least try and make AO titles for your console, MS has the most bland and predictable genre types of any console play to the strengths of the console and let devs make the most of what they have.

These 2 things (at least the full button mapping thing) would win PC gamers over.

8.2.2008 12:37 #33

Gnawnivek

ZippyDSM

I see... you got some valid points even though they don't apply to me :) (sorry, to each of his/her own).

I love to use mouse and KB for FPS, but hell, no easy ways on the console (they have the gadget for the PS3, but it sucked), so i ended up "mastering" the X360 controller for FPS games. No easy head shots, but i still enjoyed the games (i play them on casual or easy, i don't give a damn about achievements or game score points). However, i can see the potential of bring in PC gamers to the X360 if they offer something like this... Of course, then a new mayhem will arise, "the dude beat my score cause he can do head shot with a click!"

As to AO titles, sorry, no big fans on extreme violent games (i don't think Gears of War, God of War or even GTA count as extreme violent games)... But yes, it should be available on any platform, after all, it's a free country :) As long as you can prove you're older enough to play, i'm all for it.

8.2.2008 12:52 #34

ZippyDSM

Originally posted by Gnawnivek: ZippyDSM

I see... you got some valid points even though they don't apply to me :) (sorry, to each of his/her own).

I love to use mouse and KB for FPS, but hell, no easy ways on the console (they have the gadget for the PS3, but it sucked), so i ended up "mastering" the X360 controller for FPS games. No easy head shots, but i still enjoyed the games (i play them on casual or easy, i don't give a damn about achievements or game score points). However, i can see the potential of bring in PC gamers to the X360 if they offer something like this... Of course, then a new mayhem will arise, "the dude beat my score cause he can do head shot with a click!"

As to AO titles, sorry, no big fans on extreme violent games (i don't think Gears of War, God of War or even GTA count as extreme violent games)... But yes, it should be available on any platform, after all, it's a free country :) As long as you can prove you're older enough to play, i'm all for it.Well the AO would go to full topless nudity, that alone will double sales of DOAX :P, butit might let through a unedited Manhunt 2, because AO titles are so hated on that alone will keep them minmlized the top down censorship from the console makers..the market place will more than control it.

As for the pad V mouse argument people are already separated by elites and losers KB and M wont change that nor will it change online play, what it will do and give players the best option for control and that should supercide petty pad eliteisim..or over priced pad sales :P.

8.2.2008 12:59 #35

snowlock

somebody should make a console controller with pointer functionality...

...oh wait

=X

seriously, i think an optional wii-mote style controller would be a good option for fps, probably with a usb "sensor bar." it feels really good in metroid, but there just seems to be no other worthwhile titles for me to play like that.

8.2.2008 20:51 #36

ZippyDSM

snowlock
true ,altho one of the reasons why most games feel off is because games are now being made for the main stream and not for gamers that on top of rushing to meet deadlines.....you get alot of iffy games.

8.2.2008 21:52 #37

wetsparks

I don't see how letting people make more AO games would do anything. With all the violence in games right now (chainsawing people in GTA/Gears/Dead Rising) it would only be nudity and anyone who really wants pixilated boobs has issues. To the article, as mentioned, Japanese gamers have different tastes (*gasp* people from a different country like something different than I do), Microsoft has tried to appeal to them with Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey but it takes more than that and they don't seem willing to try to hard.

8.2.2008 23:42 #38

ZippyDSM

Originally posted by wetsparks: I don't see how letting people make more AO games would do anything. With all the violence in games right now (chainsawing people in GTA/Gears/Dead Rising) it would only be nudity and anyone who really wants pixilated boobs has issues. To the article, as mentioned, Japanese gamers have different tastes (*gasp* people from a different country like something different than I do), Microsoft has tried to appeal to them with Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey but it takes more than that and they don't seem willing to try to hard.
Games like bioshock lose months of dev time to retooling the game to meet the M rateing and one can not release a AO game on the console as well as the whole Manhunt 2 thing, be accepting some AO titles it can further its own niche and even widen it alil.

The only way to break the censorship bubble and make AO the NC17 it was meant to be is when one console maker gives and let it onto their system...that or hiltery will censor stuff for you and with laws and enforcement over the sale of mature stuff to minors it might break through then...but it will send the media industry back a couple decades....

BTW CG bewbs are cool :P

9.2.2008 00:05 #39

wetsparks

How did they lose months of dev time? I haven't played the game but I know a little bit about it and you can rescue the little sisters (I believe they are called) and kill them by sucking some magic thing out of them or you can save them and not suck as much magic stuff. What did they ease up on that was worse than that? And how did they also not know about the "no AO rule" and not plan that when first discussing what kind of game they were making and what they would put in it?

edit: I don't want to sound condescending or anything, but devs know these things rules and that most game stores won't stock their games if they have that AO rating so I have a hard time thinking that their creative writer people who come up with ideas have a hard time coming up with stuff given the violence you are allowed to put in and when games like doa:beach volleyball have women as close as you can get to naked without being naked.

God hates console fan boys.
http://cad-comic.com/comic.php?d=20050205
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May the way of the hero lead to the Triforce.

9.2.2008 00:11 #40

jverhey

I live in Japan and the Japanese people love American products and the only reason that the XBOX isnt doing well here is the game styles. Microsoft finally started getting good Japanese designers to make Japanese style games but it will take some time to build a market here. But the same here or actually worse that Sony pays a lot of money to dominate the store space. If you are a direct competition of them your product is very difficult to even find in the store. I have a 360 here and everyone loves it and wants to come over and play but my games are very limited for their liking. I am waiting to get a copy of Oddessy for here and it will be a very big hit for them. But selling 300,000 units in Japan this year and have no Japanese marketable games is pretty impressive to say the least. I personally will have a PS3 sitting beside my 360 as soon as I get conformation they will have True HD audio with the 2.0 update. Also I was getting the RROD for a bit here untill I removed the Nyco or whatever it is called cooler off of my unit and then the RROD went away and its been a champ ever since.

9.2.2008 08:16 #41

borhan9

I would personally still prefer an xbox with a hard drive it would be easier to store stuff. why not just put a small hdd in it and then go cheaper.

27.2.2008 23:52 #42

ZippyDSM

Originally posted by borhan9: I would personally still prefer an xbox with a hard drive it would be easier to store stuff. why not just put a small hdd in it and then go cheaper.because it costs about 40cent difference every 30GB to buy a them to buy a 20-120GBHDD for the 360 line, they also want to control content on the 360 by locking it throughly (unlock the USB pipes you you wont need to full with a HDD kit and you can drop the arcade sku limit on live content)

the 360 is so full of holes its just sad....at least the PS3 has a lunix back door for the most part..

2 things and I will be all over the 360, being able to replace the pad with a KB&mouse setup for any game I wish and unlocked USB pipes so I ca move saves and files to and from a USB HDD.

these 2 things will out power the the 360s down side.

28.2.2008 00:02 #43

snowlock

huh?

zippy, do you mean you can't use a usb mass storage device device with the 360? i have a buddy whose decision to buy a ps3 over a laptop was heavily influenced by the fact he could rip cd's and load them onto his mp3 phone...and play ps3 games. in the same box.

i guess they just wanted to peddle those proprietary hdd add-ons.

28.2.2008 03:50 #44

ZippyDSM

Originally posted by snowlock: huh?

zippy, do you mean you can't use a usb mass storage device device with the 360? i have a buddy whose decision to buy a ps3 over a laptop was heavily influenced by the fact he could rip cd's and load them onto his mp3 phone...and play ps3 games. in the same box.

i guess they just wanted to peddle those proprietary hdd add-ons.they have the USB pipes locked you can stream from it but not use it like a HDD to move sht to, this is a main sticking factor for me with ful KB&mouse useage...and cheat devices.

28.2.2008 07:47 #45

emugamer

Originally posted by snowlock: huh?

zippy, do you mean you can't use a usb mass storage device device with the 360? i have a buddy whose decision to buy a ps3 over a laptop was heavily influenced by the fact he could rip cd's and load them onto his mp3 phone...and play ps3 games. in the same box.

i guess they just wanted to peddle those proprietary hdd add-ons.Yeah, that's one of the attractive features of the PS3. I just transferred my save games to a USB jump drive before I re-formatted the hypervisor. Piece o' cake. And on a side note....swapping the HDD doesn't void the warranty!

28.2.2008 11:59 #46

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