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Microsoft: No Xbox One in Japan this Year: Tier 2 Country
- Thread starter Poetic.Injustice
- Start date
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ITT forum posters criticize the use of the word 'tier' with its connotations of hierarchy and suggest better words could have been used. That being said the title of this thread is quite misleading and may have caused much of the inflammatory posts. This is nowhere near the level of 'buy a 360' or other remarks from the US MS PR team. Just a bad word choice.
desertdroog
Member
No beards for them...that's a Tier 1 bonus only!
Pretty sure saying "Microsoft doesn't have a chance" doesn't put me too high on their "it" list, lol
SpartanN92
Banned
Don't be that guy. Japan has never been interested in Microsoft's consoles. It's a cultural thing. Xbox is primarily an American targeted console. If Japan isn't gonna buy it then why spend the money launching there?
I don't see the problem. It's not like they went straight out and said "Japan is a tier 2 country.", they specified, saying "For the launch of Xbox One Japan is a tier 2 country", meaning that for the purposes of Xbox One launch, Japan is on a lower priority than other markets, which makes sense as I really doubt Xbox One will do well in Japan.
I don't like the Xbox One, but I feel as if people are just trying to get a little too offended over little things now.
I don't like the Xbox One, but I feel as if people are just trying to get a little too offended over little things now.
Jacksonlee
Member
Uh, we all know about DirectX, don't we?
"The logo originally resembled a deformed radiation warning symbol. Controversially, the original name for the DirectX project was the "Manhattan Project", a reference to the US nuclear weapons initiative. Alex St. John, creator of the original Microsoft DirectX specification, claims[22] that the connotation with the ultimate outcome of the Manhattan Project (the nuclear bombing of Japan) is intentional, and that DirectX and its sister project, the Xbox (which shares a similar logo), are meant to displace Japanese videogame makers from their dominance of the industry.[23] However, this meaning is publicly denied by Microsoft, which instead claims that it is merely an artistic design.[23]"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DirectX
"The logo originally resembled a deformed radiation warning symbol. Controversially, the original name for the DirectX project was the "Manhattan Project", a reference to the US nuclear weapons initiative. Alex St. John, creator of the original Microsoft DirectX specification, claims[22] that the connotation with the ultimate outcome of the Manhattan Project (the nuclear bombing of Japan) is intentional, and that DirectX and its sister project, the Xbox (which shares a similar logo), are meant to displace Japanese videogame makers from their dominance of the industry.[23] However, this meaning is publicly denied by Microsoft, which instead claims that it is merely an artistic design.[23]"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DirectX
pancakesandsex
Member
The less relevant MS is in Japan, the less I have to worry about exclusives on it that I want to play. Keep digging that hole MS.
Relaxed Muscle
Member
I was thinking that even if they console sales aren't as good they shouldn't be referred as tier 2, because then every country in Europe that isn't UK is a tier 2 country, something that is not the case.
Is a weaksauce excuse like the ones "they" would use.
I gotcha. Like, sour grapes where even if they succeeded, it wouldn't be "good enough" sort of thing? Joking aside though, the market isn't green pastures like it was in the early 2000s, and I'd be lying if I didn't think that plays into the strategies for all three companies (and part of why Nintendo is so well poised at the moment in Japan because of their handheld strategy).
"Moribund console gaming market."
Japan is a waste of resources for MS, they just cant penetrate the market, and if they want Japanese games for the other territories all they have to do it open their wallets to the devs a little.
It sure didnt help that the initial XBOXs push into Japan was called Project Midway, you know, named after the battle which the US obliterated the Japanese naval forces, it is the most stunning and decisive blow in the history of naval warfare.
It sure didnt help that the initial XBOXs push into Japan was called Project Midway, you know, named after the battle which the US obliterated the Japanese naval forces, it is the most stunning and decisive blow in the history of naval warfare.
What bridge
Was Monumental banned for this post or was it unrelated?
Captain Tuttle
Member
What have they offended the 15 people who own a 360 in Japan? Their forays into the Japanese market have been a complete and utter failure.
Relaxed Muscle
Member
Of course is logical for MS to not care enough for Japan market, but "courting" that market offers other benefits like niche games that helps your catalogue in the west too.
Games like Blue Dragon would never existed if MS didn't tried.
Really? That's... one way to get people to dislike you I suppose...
IchigoSharingan
Member
you'd think they at least try harder then.
"For the launch of Xbox One Japan is an afterthought country and not a country worthy of anyone's immediate attention. For this we are classified as Tier 2. We are shit country in MS eyes. Please wait for MS seppuku in 2014."
Wrong console.For those Japanese gamers who want a home console experience, we have a product for you.
But that's what MS proposed before. Literally!
Willy Wanka
my god this avatar owns
You missed the obvious joke.
I wonder if they'll do a Tier 180 too.
I didn't, that joke only really applies to Xbox territories like the US and UK.
Willy Wanka
my god this avatar owns
There were still at 100 people or so in Japan that bought one so it applies to them.
Wait, this is true? Holy crap! No wonder their sales are abysmal in Japan. Just the naming indicates their whole philosophy towards that market.
KaiserBecks
Member
So we're all getting upset because they called Japan a Tier 2 country now? What's Sony's excuse for not launching the PS4 in Japan this year?
GnarkillZA
Member
Well here in South Africa we've been classified as a Tier 4 country...
moltonasty
Member
wow MS. I was a big fan of your consoles when you had games like Panzer Dragoon Orta, Jet Set Radio Future, Shenmue II, and then the push for JRPGS on the 360 (Lost Odyssey, Blue Dragon etc). Now they're basically saying fuck Japan, and for that, I hope the Xbone crashes and burns. I miss the good ol days of sega sony nintendo. go home MS.
Is it confirmed they're not launching in JP this year?
EatinOlives
Member
They did early on in the 360's lifetime. Tales of Vesperia being locked as a 360 exclusive for a while was a big deal for MS, and I believe the 360 was actually sold out in Japan when the game launched as a result. Lost Odyssey and Blue Dragon were similar efforts. Unfortunately they only made blips in Microsoft's radar. Didn't help Japan just doesn't like big/clunky form factors in consoles, which was basically the only way to describe the original 360.
So yeah, while calling Japan a "Tier 2 country" is borderline offensive, it's not surprising at all. The Xbox brand is notorious for just not catching on in Japan, so it was only a matter of time before MS pretty much gave up.
hydragonwarrior
Member
No Wii U then?
They haven't said anything outside of a confirmation of Japan-specific details to be shared around TGS.
KaiserBecks
Member
They said "In Europe and the US, this holiday season" during the e3 press conference. I assume they would've mentioned Japan as well if they had plans for a launch this year.
graywolf323
Member
they did say second wave and that didn't happen so no?
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