Microsoft hopes to capture Japan with Live cross-platform

Microsoft‘s sweet spot has never been Japan, but according to Xbox Japan chief Sensui Takahashi, Microsoft just might capture more gamers starting May 25 when it launches Games for Windows Live in the country.

The Games for Windows Live program is a platform similar to the Microsoft Xbox Live network where players can communicate and play games together online. Multiplayer fun is just part of the fun, however, as the real magic behind both Live systems is the fact that they will eventually transcend hardware boundaries.

For now, players can chat and add friends in cross-platform fashion seamlessly from the Xbox 360 to the PC and vice-versa. However, when the anticipated game Shadowrun hits stores later this year, players will have their first real cross-platform gaming experience. The game will allow players to band themselves together and shoot it out in maps regardless of whether they play it with the Xbox 360 or a PC.

Takahashi expressed his intention to make the Japanese PC gaming scene a more vibrant one, saying “I believe the PC gaming market in Japan has been under-developed. We hope to revitalize that market in Japan, and that will in turn create momentum for Xbox 360.”

The PC gaming division has amounted to less than a tenth of all gaming sales globally, and is even more marginal in Japan because of the dominance of console gaming since the early 80’s. The Xbox 360 console, which traces its roots to the PC fold, is also beleaguered compared to rivals Sony PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii, whose manufacturers are Japanese.

Giving gamers more online gaming options, Microsoft believes, will create a synergism between PC and Xbox 360 gaming which will lead to a more significant presence. The Xbox 360 is currently averaging 2,900 units sold in a week while market leader Wii is far ahead with roughly 76,000 a week.

Via ITWorld

Microsoft‘s sweet spot has never been Japan, but according to Xbox Japan chief Sensui Takahashi, Microsoft just might capture more gamers starting May 25 when it launches Games for Windows Live in the country.

The Games for Windows Live program is a platform similar to the Microsoft Xbox Live network where players can communicate and play games together online. Multiplayer fun is just part of the fun, however, as the real magic behind both Live systems is the fact that they will eventually transcend hardware boundaries.

For now, players can chat and add friends in cross-platform fashion seamlessly from the Xbox 360 to the PC and vice-versa. However, when the anticipated game Shadowrun hits stores later this year, players will have their first real cross-platform gaming experience. The game will allow players to band themselves together and shoot it out in maps regardless of whether they play it with the Xbox 360 or a PC.

Takahashi expressed his intention to make the Japanese PC gaming scene a more vibrant one, saying “I believe the PC gaming market in Japan has been under-developed. We hope to revitalize that market in Japan, and that will in turn create momentum for Xbox 360.”

The PC gaming division has amounted to less than a tenth of all gaming sales globally, and is even more marginal in Japan because of the dominance of console gaming since the early 80’s. The Xbox 360 console, which traces its roots to the PC fold, is also beleaguered compared to rivals Sony PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii, whose manufacturers are Japanese.

Giving gamers more online gaming options, Microsoft believes, will create a synergism between PC and Xbox 360 gaming which will lead to a more significant presence. The Xbox 360 is currently averaging 2,900 units sold in a week while market leader Wii is far ahead with roughly 76,000 a week.

Via ITWorld