Microsoft say XBOX 360 isn’t a success…

…until it cracks Japan. This is what Microsoft general manager Takashi Sensui has told Japanese newspaper the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, according to a flaky translation by CVG.

Sensui said that this year the 360 will tackle one of the world’s hardest gaming territories to conquer, Japan – “2006 will be the year, in which the Xbox 360 will make a giant leap forward in Japan. One cannot call the Xbox 360 successful, as long as it’s not successful in Japan.”

This statement may seem a bit bold for Microsoft to say for such a crucial territory such as Japan, which Microsoft has failed to crack since the launch of the original Microsoft XBOX. Microsoft has been trying to conquer Japan for a while now, and they plan to release more Japanese-friendly titles this year. Despite their efforts, i think the XBOX 360 will never hit the same numbers as either the upcoming PS3 or Revolution. Both Sony and Nintendo’s Next-gen offerings seem more geared towards the Japanese market, and these long term players in the Japanese games market still hold the key to the Rising sun’s games industry. Maybe Microsoft’s next console will have more success in attracting a Japanese audience.

…until it cracks Japan. This is what Microsoft general manager Takashi Sensui has told Japanese newspaper the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, according to a flaky translation by CVG.

Sensui said that this year the 360 will tackle one of the world’s hardest gaming territories to conquer, Japan – “2006 will be the year, in which the Xbox 360 will make a giant leap forward in Japan. One cannot call the Xbox 360 successful, as long as it’s not successful in Japan.”

This statement may seem a bit bold for Microsoft to say for such a crucial territory such as Japan, which Microsoft has failed to crack since the launch of the original Microsoft XBOX. Microsoft has been trying to conquer Japan for a while now, and they plan to release more Japanese-friendly titles this year. Despite their efforts, i think the XBOX 360 will never hit the same numbers as either the upcoming PS3 or Revolution. Both Sony and Nintendo’s Next-gen offerings seem more geared towards the Japanese market, and these long term players in the Japanese games market still hold the key to the Rising sun’s games industry. Maybe Microsoft’s next console will have more success in attracting a Japanese audience.