Microsoft not likely to use exclusive content to win over Japanese gamers

Microsoft‘s Xbox 360 console enjoyed a certain amount of success in the U.S. thanks to exclusives like Grand Theft Auto 4‘s downloadable episodes and Halo 3. But why isn’t Microsoft using the same tactic to win the hearts of Japanese gamers, like securing an exclusive Final Fantasy game, perhaps? Microsoft’s Shane Kim answers in the full article.

Games like Grand Theft Auto 4 have defined Microsoft’s Xbox 360 as a must-have console in the western regions, but what about Japan? Given its different gaming culture, it would take more than Niko Bellic’s exploits for the Xbox 360 to win the hearts of the Nihon-jin. But for Xbox boss Shane Kim, not even an exclusive Final Fantasy title will set their system afloat in the Land of the Rising Sun either.

Gaming website Kikizo asked Kim why Microsoft is not making efforts similar to securing exclusive content to the Xbox 360 in Japan. Here’s what the executive had to say  to the hypothetical question on the feasibility of Microsoft securing Final Fantasy exclusives for their console:

I think there’s just as much precedent that they would leave [the franchise]; I mean if I were Square Enix that’s what I’d be worried about, that they would leave Final Fantasy for something else. I know we’re talking about Final Fantasy here, but you really have to question, is it really enough to overcome people’s reservations about Xbox 360 in Japan? I don’t know.

Kim also posed the question of whether the tactic of getting exclusive content will indeed help the Xbox 360 in Japan. “Is that really worth it, will that really turn around your fortunes? That’s what we really have to question – is $50 million or $100 million or whatever – is that really the right thing to do?”

Kim’s words would probably mean that we won’t see any new Final Fantasy games on the Xbox 360 anytime soon, but what would be its game plan for its Japanese market in the near future? Will they still stick to their plan on publishing more RPGs in Japan? Do stay tuned for more.