Microsoft Makes a Push for Xbox360 in Japan

July 28th, 2005, 03:48 Posted By: wraggster

TOKYO (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. is counting on new games to lure Japanese users for its new Xbox 360 game console. The company hopes to avoid a repeat of the disappointing sales that dogged the earlier version of the machine in the world's second-largest game market.

The world's largest software maker revealed on Monday that 45 game titles available for Japanese users of the new console are scheduled to go on sale in time for the year-end holiday shopping season and before market leader Sony's planned launch of its new PlayStation 3 early in 2006.

A shortage of games to draw Japan's discerning users was the main reason for the lack of success of the current generation Xbox.

"I've always said that Japan is a vitally important market for the Xbox platform," Peter Moore, Microsoft's vice president in charge of Xbox marketing, said at an event to introduce upcoming games for the console.

"I know that the success in this country is the ultimate tribute to the compelling power of our new platform," he said.

This time, Microsoft said 38 publishers, including Square Enix Co. Ltd., Electronic Arts Inc., and Namco Ltd., are developing 45 game titles. More than 100 other titles are being worked on

There are 0 comments - Join In and Discuss Here