Xbox 360 Being Phased Out of Japanese Shops

[D4RKLING]

Edge is reporting that retailers in Japan are to stop stocking the Xbox 360, essentially ringing the death knell for the console in the region.

The retailers in question cite the console's continuing poor performance as justification - the Xbox 360 has suffered a 46.7% year-on-year drop in sales, and has sold just 72,721 in Japan since January. That's less than a tenth of what the PS3 has managed. All in all, the Xbox 360 has sold 1.5 million units in Japan since launch, as Microsoft reported in June.

Geo, one of Japan's leading game and anime retailers (and a real geek's paradise), is "drastically scaling back its Xbox 360 business", according to the Edge report. It is also claimed that other retailers are going to stop stocking it all together: at Yamada Denki, Tokyo, the report states that "the company is removing hardware and software from the majority of its stores nationwide, and is selling off its remaining stock at a heavy discount. It will still sell the console and games, but only in selected stores where the system continues to be sufficiently popular."

Anybody who has been to a Japanese games store in the past few years will have clocked that the Xbox 360's presence is barely noticeable, with games relegated to back shelves and bargain bins. The console's most high-profile exclusive in the region, The Id@lmaster 2, a game in which you train up a nubile pop starlet, has now been ported to PS3, which is certainly a contributing factor in the console's failing fortunes.

This does not have good implications for Microsoft's future in Japan, as any successor to the Xbox will have to struggle against retailers' perceptions. However, Microsoft remains committed to the region - the company recently appointed a new boss of the Japan division, Takashi Sensui. But will he be fighting a losing battle?

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/118/1188829p1.html

Poor Krythan!

[noman]

The console's most high-profile exclusive in the region, The Id@lmaster 2, a game in which you train up a nubile pop starlet, has now been ported to PS3

is that really a game for an HD console?

LOL...UNIQUE Japan

[krYtHan]

Recent reports suggested Japanese retailers were removing the Xbox 360 from sale, but Microsoft told Eurogamer at Gamescom it remains committed to making the console a success there.

“No, of course we're not pulling out,” Chris Lewis, Microsoft's European boss, told Eurogamer.

“It's a challenging market. We are up against very strong competition there. All of our competition is strong. We're very respectful of what Sony and Nintendo do and where they've come from and what they bring.

... But Lewis suggested Microsoft will use next month's Tokyo Game Show to show its continued investment in Xbox 360 in Japan.

“Japan remains important to us. We're very committed to that market. The development community there is very important. Tokyo Game Show will be a notable element in the year as usual.”

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...-japan-concern

[D4RKLING]

Good news,they would be stupid to pull out completely. Sure it will never be as popular in Japan as Nintendo and Sony but if you can make some $ there then why not?

[aftershock9]

Poor Krythan...you will just have to play Wii while you have your dress on.

i kid i kid

[krYtHan]

Someone is cruising for a bruising.

[Torquemada]

I'm sure the small xbox market in Japan is bigger than our market here.

[MG THABO]

“No, of course we're not pulling out,” Chris Lewis, Microsoft's European boss, told Eurogamer.

That's why I exist today. Well done dad...

[Cdaddy]

Japan's gaming influence is just about dead in the West so who cares. Modern Warfare 2 likely sold more copies worldwide than any Japanese game ever has or ever will.
The west no longer needs Japan like it did in the 8 bit days.
Speaking of Edge magazine, I buy it every month and there is a section in it (2 pages only) thT lists the top 10 games in Japan and it's all weird **** dating games and RPGs.

[krYtHan]

Mario says hi.