360 Won't Launch In Japan This Year

**StriderKyo** · 19 Jul 2005, 03:06 AM

Ah, Game Informer. Could your magazine and reviews be any dumber? I think not. But their website comes through all the time.

Article here

Originally Posted by Game Informer.com

n July 25th, Microsoft will be hosting an event in Japan to officially unveil the console in the land of the rising sun titled "Xbox Japan Summit 2005". Microsoft is reportedly going to have an unveiling on an "E3 scale" according to sources, and we've been told that we'll be seeing more from Japanese Xbox 360 developers such as Mistwalker, Q Entertainment, Square Enix, Tecmo, as well as a few surprises. There will be a number of new titles shown, and playable software.

Unfortunately, we have just learned rather rumor-worthy from an inside source that Microsoft will be dropping one bomb that no one would expect -- the Xbox 360 will not launch in Japan this year. At E3 Microsoft initially touted that they would have a worldwide launch by the end of 2005, but our sources have informed us that Japan's Xbox 360 release date could slip until Q1 2006, and most likely the system won't launch in Japan until March.

The Xbox has been a complete failure in Japan, and last year the original PlayStation outsold it. With the exclusives secured from Japanese developers for the Xbox 360, down to the design of the system, Microsoft has been doing everything in its power to change the mindset of the Japanese gamer. But if the Xbox 360 is delayed until Q1 2006, Microsoft will be releasing the system the same time rival Sony will be launching the PlayStation 3.

While we've not recieved any official confirmation from Microsoft on this news (Microsoft doesn't comment on rumors or speculation, etc.), we're betting that if this information is true, it's because either Microsoft can't produce enough consoles for a worldwide launch, or the Japanese software launch won't be strong enough for launch, or both.

Game Informer Online will be in Japan next Monday to give you the full low-down on Microsoft's Xbox Japan Summit 2005, and whether or not this news is true. Stay tuned...

This is good for two reasons. One, it means I might actually get one at launch, and game stores can stop killing MS' buzz by telling everybody who didn't preorder in 2002 they can't have one and have to wait a month after launch day.

Second, it means more time to have a decent Japanese developed library for their launch there.

Of course, it also brings them real close to PS3's launch, which is pretty much suicide.

I interpret this move as: 'we can't make enough systems for a worldwide launch, we'll make more money properly supplying North America, and hey, we have no illusions, nobody's buying one of these things in Japan until we get some killer exclusives for that market anyway.'

Hey, Xbox Japan summit only a week away! Can't wait! I'll either be living in (Ren no) heaven, or crushed as the Shenmue III rumours are debunked and Sega laughs at me with an Ooga Booga 2 announcement or something.

I wonder what the Q title is? If it's a Rez follow up...no. Shenmue III and Rez 2 cannot happen on the same day. I haven't been a good enough person for that to happen.

I think I'm going to go volunteer at the homeless shelter now.

**MarkRyan** · 19 Jul 2005, 03:10 AM

Ehh, I would consider Japan a loss already, anyway. Microsoft really should focus on North America and Europe if they want to take a bite of Sony's market. Barring exclusivity deals with Square Enix, I think Microsoft is going to find it impossible to gain traction in that market.

**EMAGDNIM** · 19 Jul 2005, 09:58 AM

If they miss the holiday season there, they will not have a great launch...

I can see more Japanese gamers getting into the 360 then the XBox.

**Yoshi** · 19 Jul 2005, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by EMAGDNIM

I can see more Japanese gamers getting into the 360 then the XBox.

So 7 or 8 instead of 3 or 4? Progress!

**dave is ok** · 19 Jul 2005, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by Yoshi

So 7 or 8 instead of 3 or 4? Progress!

Thats a 200% increase in sales! Go Microsoft!

**Jeremy** · 19 Jul 2005, 11:38 AM

I'm not shocked that it won't launch in Japan until next year, since the same basic thing happened with the first Xbox. I'd love to see MS do well there, and the 360's smaller size could help them a great deal in that regard.