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Do you think that there will ever be a big American, or for that case Western, company that will finally conquer Japan? Even now, the likes of EA, Eidos and even Rare have yet to produce one successful game in Japan. But why is this?
Well, the simple answer is two fold. Firstly, Japanese people, in general, like a different style of game- quick, easy and simple. For this reason, many games are released in Japan with only the "Easy" mode. Secondly, Japanese gamers have a kind of alliance to the big Japanese game makers- Sega, Namco, Nintendo et al.
So what does this mean for Microsoft?
Simply put, if Microsoft fails to get Japanese developers on board, then they will almost certainly lose out on this market.
Mind you, MS are having a good stab at things. Already they have announced a huge floor space in the Tokyo Games Show, as well as their own, independant event to take place before the Xbox launch. The have some good Japanese developers on board- Temco being the most highly acclaimed.
But could MS have done more?
Actually, I personally think MS has done everything right for a first time console manufacturer. They have designed the console well, will promote it widely, and have some top exclusive games. The only thing they could have done differently would be to bbuy Sega when they were struggling... if Sega was even for sale that is.
You views?
Well, the simple answer is two fold. Firstly, Japanese people, in general, like a different style of game- quick, easy and simple. For this reason, many games are released in Japan with only the "Easy" mode. Secondly, Japanese gamers have a kind of alliance to the big Japanese game makers- Sega, Namco, Nintendo et al.
So what does this mean for Microsoft?
Simply put, if Microsoft fails to get Japanese developers on board, then they will almost certainly lose out on this market.
Mind you, MS are having a good stab at things. Already they have announced a huge floor space in the Tokyo Games Show, as well as their own, independant event to take place before the Xbox launch. The have some good Japanese developers on board- Temco being the most highly acclaimed.
But could MS have done more?
Actually, I personally think MS has done everything right for a first time console manufacturer. They have designed the console well, will promote it widely, and have some top exclusive games. The only thing they could have done differently would be to bbuy Sega when they were struggling... if Sega was even for sale that is.
You views?
Page:
There are a few good British developers releasing good games for the PS2, BurnOut and Getaway are British and I'm sure both will be very popular. But maybe not in Japan, the country that gave us pokemon, anime and a lot of strange things. They have different likes to what the majority of people in USA and Europe will want in games. Maybe that will change and microsoft will be a sucess but only time will tell, microsoft have done everything right up to know, buying sega wouldn't make much of a difference I don't think.
If Microsoft had bought Sega, and surely they could have done (and probably still can), that would have been a stroke of Bill Gates genius! Exclusive Sega developed titles would be a massive advantage....
I was always under the impression that games were made easier for Western gamers. Certainly this is true of Final Fantasy games.
FFVII (Jap) had some *impossible* areas, which were simplified for the West.
I'm sure I've read about other games being softened-down for us, rather than the other way round.
Didn't people go mental for Tomb Raider in Japan? I'd be surprised if it wasn't a top seller. The same goes for Goldeneye, Donkey Kong etc.
I was always under the impression that games were made easier for Western gamers. Certainly this is true of Final Fantasy games.
FFVII (Jap) had some *impossible* areas, which were simplified for the West.
I'm sure I've read about other games being softened-down for us, rather than the other way round.
Didn't people go mental for Tomb Raider in Japan? I'd be surprised if it wasn't a top seller. The same goes for Goldeneye, Donkey Kong etc.
Do you think that there will ever be a big American, or for that case Western, company that will finally conquer Japan? Even now, the likes of EA, Eidos and even Rare have yet to produce one successful game in Japan. But why is this?
Well, the simple answer is two fold. Firstly, Japanese people, in general, like a different style of game- quick, easy and simple. For this reason, many games are released in Japan with only the "Easy" mode. Secondly, Japanese gamers have a kind of alliance to the big Japanese game makers- Sega, Namco, Nintendo et al.
So what does this mean for Microsoft?
Simply put, if Microsoft fails to get Japanese developers on board, then they will almost certainly lose out on this market.
Mind you, MS are having a good stab at things. Already they have announced a huge floor space in the Tokyo Games Show, as well as their own, independant event to take place before the Xbox launch. The have some good Japanese developers on board- Temco being the most highly acclaimed.
But could MS have done more?
Actually, I personally think MS has done everything right for a first time console manufacturer. They have designed the console well, will promote it widely, and have some top exclusive games. The only thing they could have done differently would be to bbuy Sega when they were struggling... if Sega was even for sale that is.
You views?
Well, the simple answer is two fold. Firstly, Japanese people, in general, like a different style of game- quick, easy and simple. For this reason, many games are released in Japan with only the "Easy" mode. Secondly, Japanese gamers have a kind of alliance to the big Japanese game makers- Sega, Namco, Nintendo et al.
So what does this mean for Microsoft?
Simply put, if Microsoft fails to get Japanese developers on board, then they will almost certainly lose out on this market.
Mind you, MS are having a good stab at things. Already they have announced a huge floor space in the Tokyo Games Show, as well as their own, independant event to take place before the Xbox launch. The have some good Japanese developers on board- Temco being the most highly acclaimed.
But could MS have done more?
Actually, I personally think MS has done everything right for a first time console manufacturer. They have designed the console well, will promote it widely, and have some top exclusive games. The only thing they could have done differently would be to bbuy Sega when they were struggling... if Sega was even for sale that is.
You views?
Page: