Just so you understand...

**Bacon McShig** · 31 Aug 2006, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by Dolemite

We should drop another bomb on Japan for that reason alone. I mean seriously, JSR is an amazing game.

We better have one for ourselves, too, 'cuz it didn't do too hot over here either.

Bottom line is, even if the game doesn't stand to do particularly well there (or anywhere) at least Japan actually takes the gamble and still makes the game because it's the game they want to make, and market potential be damned. Western devs need more of that type of chutzpah, our stuff quite often stinks of being a long series of caveats to focus groups.

**mollipen** · 31 Aug 2006, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by Diff-chan

I really dont care what platform they buy. It bothers me when they buy crap like Brain Age and generic JRPG 20384912580915 because that determines in large part what options I will have to play in 2009.

Like you said, though... our charts are ruled by Madden, and then I'd toss in endless GTA clone, and yet another space marine FPS. I don't deny that I seriously question what Japan is thinking when really great games come out and sell like crap, but I'd also argue that we're just as bad on a regular basis.

**Tommy Tallarico** · 31 Aug 2006, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by Diff-chan

Of course, I saw the top 10 from Best Buy on GAF yesterday, 1-7 were Madden, so maybe America's game buying public is way smarter and has far better taste than we give it credit for.

Fixed.

**Dolemite** · 31 Aug 2006, 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by shidoshi

Like you said, though... our charts are ruled by Madden, and then I'd toss in endless GTA clone, and yet another space marine FPS. I don't deny that I seriously question what Japan is thinking when really great games come out and sell like crap, but I'd also argue that we're just as bad on a regular basis.

Point. Everyone sucks.

**Some Stupid Japanese Name** · 31 Aug 2006, 02:55 PM

I can't really get too worked up about it, as I'm one of the asshats that cries for original content, then when the once in a blue moon something new/different does come out, I wait for it to get clearanced/price dropped before I buy it.

**TobalRox** · 31 Aug 2006, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by Kev

I'll never understand how games such as Derby Stallion, Densha de Go!, and Tokimeki Memorial can do so well there, yet Half-Life 2, Halo 2, and GTA can flounder. Granted, I'm not a GTA fan myself, but I'd damn sure rather play that than a horse sim.

I read an article that stated that FPS games aren't as popular in Japan because for whatever reason, the Japanese population is more prone to motion sickness. It was an article for that new FF7 shooter, and it was the reason they gave for making it 3rd person (the developer originally wanted to make it an FPS).

**Diff-chan** · 31 Aug 2006, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by shidoshi

Like you said, though... our charts are ruled by Madden, and then I'd toss in endless GTA clone, and yet another space marine FPS. I don't deny that I seriously question what Japan is thinking when really great games come out and sell like crap, but I'd also argue that we're just as bad on a regular basis.

Well, Madden, for all its faults, is a pretty deep game. Very complex, tons of modes, technical, exacting, and competitive. It may not be what you want to play but its not really a "casual" gaming experience. JRPGs are just shit and fluff that require no skill, just a pulse, to get through. That may be where we are heading, just all super casual, nonoffensive fluff. That may be where we are at now, hell Im just ranting.

And oh yea, Dirge of Cerberus sold half a million there. DIRGE OF CERBERUS.