Japan want their PS3

[O.D.S]

It seems the Japanese are Playstation lovers through and through and no Xbox 360 is going to change that. In a recent poll conducted by a Japanese news service, 1,000 gamers were asked to pick their most-wanted Next Gen console. A pitiful 2% picked the Xbox 360 as a coveted possession. Sony received a more digestible fate with the Playstation 3 garnishing an impressive 60% of that 1,000.

It would appear that not much has changed in Japan, as far as Xbox popularity goes. Since its launch, the Xbox has sold only 460,000 units in Japan, a far cry from the Playstation 2 which sold the same amount in its first 2 days of its release.
The reason Japanese gamers find the PS3 more appealing is partly the massive brand recognition Sony has, of course; but it's also probably got a lot to do with the sheer numbers of sequels, franchises, and re-makes that Sony has at its power to command. Read the survey data: eighty percent want well-known franchises; 71.2 want RPGs. You're looking at another long string of repetitive Square Enix titles, my friend. As much as we might complain about lack of innovative game titles in the West, Japan has it even worse. Some of the quirkiest, most fascinating games ever made come from Japanese game studios, but they wither under the unending domination of Dragon Quest. A new console launch is not going to change that trend any time soon. Too bad.

This article doesnt really come as a surprise to me since the x-box didnt do so well, but 360 geting such a low vote does indeed surprise me...maybe i shouldnt read so much into it :aim:-p:

[Voidler]

Well, I don't expect it to get very popular until gamers get a taste of it ands see if they like it. I mean it'd be like Nokia releasing a console or handheld (considering Xbox did comparably to Ngage there), no one in their sane mine would be hyped for it, but if it came out and turned out to be amazing, then it might catch on. Hopefully it picks up, if only for the fact that Japanese developers could breathe new life and new franchises on a new console, esspecially with XBL.

[lshian]

Yes!!! I bought my consoles just because I want to play RPG!!!! And all other 90 millions PS2 user too. Not FPS, I would rather played on my PC with mouse and keyboards.

[warmachine]

However, you shouldn't forget to mention the prices the Japanese want to see:


Yen 15.000 (Euro 112) - Yen 20.000 (Euro 149): a little under 20 %
Yen 20.000 (Euro 149) - Yen 25.000 (Euro 186): a little under 20 %
Yen 25.000 (Euro 186) - Yen 30.000 (Euro 223): a little over 20 %



But that's not gonna happen! I think 400 is the minimum the PS3 will cost.

[lshian]

Why would you said that? Even PSP Sony can sell at lost, moreover the 65 micron fabs it just on the way. Sony sell the first batch at lost, when come to second batch they start to make money. Look at PS2 how many version were there not including the PStwo. Come'on Sony is a hardware manufactuerer.

[warmachine]

Ken already said that PS3 wont be too cheap and that you might have to work some hours more to get the cash for it.

afair the PS2 cost 400€ at its launch so I don't think the PS3 will be much cheaper.

And 200 bucks for a PS3? NEVER!
I just don't believe in this.

Even if Sony wants 400 for the PS3 they might lose money with this price so 200 is not very realistic for me.

[lshian]

I never buy a PS2 200bucks, at launch I couldn't even get one :(. I got it for 499 bucks. Well moreover the PS3 is loaded with so much things, it just look as good as or better than my notebook. Even my notebook don't have 3 ethernet port and 6 usb port and a bluetooth.

[Voidler]

Ken already said that PS3 wont be too cheap and that you might have to work some hours more to get the cash for it.

afair the PS2 cost 400€ at its launch so I don't think the PS3 will be much cheaper.

And 200 bucks for a PS3? NEVER!
I just don't believe in this.

Even if Sony wants 400 for the PS3 they might lose money with this price so 200 is not very realistic for me.$399 USD would only be $300 euro. But seriously. I don't think casual gamers (who I presume these gamers are) realise that they'll come out at a higher price :P They're asking for aprice of about $299 USD which isn't too bad.

I don't think PS3 will be that expensive though. I think Sony are just trying to get the talking up, ny press is good press, and it'll look alot better for Sony when they announce a lower price than anyone expected (like with PSP). Shock and awe tactics, it works well.

[lshian]

Yes, Voilder is right. Nobody expect the PSP will be that cheap. Everyone was surprise especially the Nintendo. Analyst, media were stunt. Everywhere in the internet talking the psp would go as high as 399.

[Voidler]

Yes, Voilder is right. Nobody expect the PSP will be that cheap. Everyone was surprise especially the Nintendo. Analyst, media were stunt. Everywhere in the internet talking the psp would go as high as 399.Higher, most people in Gamespot's System Wars were confident it would be atleast $500. It was hilarious watching the backtracking when it was announced for $185 in Japan. That's why I'm glad to see Microsoft fanboys making the same mistake again :P

[xbdestroya]

True - whatever price the public thinks the Playstation consoels will launch at, it's always undoubtedly lower. That dpesn't mean it's a pattenr set in stone though of course. I'm predicting a US launch at $299-$349, with maybe some bundles or crap shoved down our throats by either Sony themselves or the retailers. But I'm not seeign a PS3 alone as costing $399+.

[lshian]

Yeah! Now I remember the price hike for Jap luanch was about $600 that no Sony launch price. Well I bought it anyway. LOL I still got my 1.0 psp running alot of homebrew and emulators.

[xbdestroya]

Well I just hope that the PS3 doesn't miss out on all the quirky Japanese games because they start going over to Microsoft and their dev support cash pile. I mean I like the sequals too, but I also like the originals! :cool:

Anyway Duga you forgot to provide an article link!

[Metal Sphere]

XB, there's no danger of the PS3 losing the quirky titles. As with Sony's current online policy, they simply provide consumers with the hardware to get online and the developers take it from there. This is the same thing, since they simply provide the PS3 to devs and they put their games on the console with the largest diverse userbase and chance to get some decent sales.

Katamari Damacy anyone? The Xbox userbase is comprised of a considerable amount of xenophobic people. Not to mention folks that merely want to play blood and guts, run and gun, etc.. Forvever. Sure the PS family of consoles provides games like that, but they're overshadowed by the variety in the gaming library. If you want to make a quirky game, you won't put it on the Xbox because they won't buy it (too kiddy, whatever BS excuse) nor will you put it on the Gamecube (small userbase, low sales, controller issues) so the best choice would be the PS.

IMO, it looks like the support of developers themselves is what fuels the Playstation's success and therefore attracts more developers to tap that userbase. Lastly, I'd like to say that all of this talk Kutaragi lets out, is simply talking up the product. He's getting it in everyone's mind by being controversial, etc... In other words, it's publicity.

Man, if that gets in the mass media that it's going to cost $399 and it launches at $299, people are going to assume they're getting a top notch piece of gaming and media hardware for far less than normal. And it is a steal seeing what the price of the individual components would be. And for you folks from TXB (you know who you are):

The Metal Sphere...

[xbdestroya]

Good post Metal - very true. Japanese devs might be enticed by Microsoft to develop for 360, but unless it's something that is planned for the US from the start, or comes with a massive purse attached (like with Mistwalker), mose Japanese devs would probably see their title as consigned to a very small domestic user base and probable financial failure.

[Metal Sphere]

Good post Metal - very true. Japanese devs might be enticed by Microsoft to develop for 360, but unless it's something that is planned for the US from the start, or comes with a massive purse attached (like with Mistwalker), mose Japanese devs would probably see their title as consigned to a very small domestic user base and probable financial failure.

Exactly. And this is where another thread comes to mind, the one where there was concern raised about Microsoft possibly luring developers with money alone despite the monumental financial risks they'll be taking on. They'd "gain" that support only to lose it when the majority of Xbox 360 owners shun the title for various reasons.

The developers are far more likely to stick to a console that's tried and true in getting your game, your baby in a sense, out to the largest userbase and therefore improving the chances of your game selling well. Mistwalker is a first party developer? The incentives/pay offs provided to them buy Microsoft must've been huge. Especially since Sakaguchi knows the potential for sales on the PS3, and how big japanese games hit that userbase.

[xbdestroya]

Mistwalker is a first party developer?

Mistwalker isn't first party I don't believe, but these two first games from them are supposedly exclusives, at least for the time being. And Microsoft is basically paying for all development, hiring 80 programmers for their Japanese office on their behalf. I mean, it's a big financial investment Microsoft is putting into these guys; I think Microsoft views them as their single best shot to break into the Japanese market - and they're probably right.

[Voidler]

Mistwalker is a second party, if anything.

[xbdestroya]

Mistwalker is a second party, if anything.

Well right, I should have been more definitive. ;)

Still, Microsoft is putting first-party type money into these guys, which was really the only thing I was trying to get across.

[Raijin]

In fact, we're takling about $40 million for Mistwalker and $20 million for Q Entertainement (Ninety-nine nights).

EDIT: Here:

http://hardware.gamespot.com/Story-ST-15016-2009-4-4-x

[Voidler]

Well right, I should have been more definitive. ;)

Still, Microsoft is putting first-party type money into these guys, which was really the only thing I was trying to get across.Yeah, it's an odd situation. They'll probably be first party in due course.

[Jasonps3]

Speaking of Japan here are the sales numbers for the first half of the year:

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/07/12/news_6128889.html

Hardware sales / Q1 & 2 2005 / Q1 & 2 2004
1 PlayStation 2 / 1,286,882 / 1,365,260
2 Nintendo DS / 1,236,268 / na
3 PSP / 1,137,597 / na
4 Game Boy Advance SP / 497,931 / 1,295,460
5 Game Cube / 159,559 / 340,204
6 Game Boy Advance / 16,040 / 158,516
7 Xbox / 9,045 / 18,239

Software sales by platform, Q1 & 2 2005 / Q1 & 2 2004
1 PlayStation 2, 14,010,000 / 16,634,000
2 Game Boy Advance, 3,408,000 / 8,839,000
3 DS, 3,1996,000 / na
4 PSP, 2,103,000 / na
5 Game Cube, 1,549,000 / 2,574,000
6 Xbox, 91,000 / 169,000
7 PlayStation, 52,000 / 104,000

Top software sales by publisher
01 Nintendo, 3,166,103
02 SCEJ 2,053,165
03 Namco 1,546,469
04 Square Enix 1,528,037
05 Bandai 1,462,416
06 Konami 1,410,558
07 Koei 1,260,669
08 Capcom 1,189,641
09 Banpresto 609,248
10 Pokemon 502,727

Number of top 100 games per publisher
1 Nintendo, 17
2 Namco, 12
3 Konami, 10
3 SCEJ, 10
5 Square Enix, 7
5 Bandai, 7
7 Capcom, 6
8 Koei, 4
8 Banpresto, 4
8 Pokemon, 4

Top 20 game sales
01 PS2 Gran Turismo 4, SCE, 1,051,961
02 PS2 Shin Sangoku Musou 4, Koei, 900,689
03 PS2 Dragonball Z3, Bandai, 639,950
04 NDS Nintendogs, Nintendo, 494,330
05 PS2 Winning Eleven 8 Liveware Evolution, Konami, 458,626
06 PS2 Romancing Saga: Minstrel Song, Square Enix, 443,005
07 NDS Sawaru Made in Wario, Nintendo, 398,380
08 PS2 Mobile Suit Gundam: One Year War, Bandai, 384,762
09 NDS Super Mario 64 DS, Nintendo, 355,013
10 PS2 Tekken 5, Namco, 314,845
11 PS2 Radiata Stories, Square Enix 293,413
12 PS2 Devil May Cry 3, Capcom 278,649
13 PS2 Dragon Quest VIII, Square Enix 276,604
14 PS2 Another Century's Episode, Banpresto 254,527
15 PSP Minna no Golf Portable, SCEJ 231,933
16 PS2 Monster Hunter G, Capcom 229,966
17 GBA Mushiking, Sega 222,199
18 NGC Resident Evil 4, Capcom 220,704
19 GBA Pokemon Emerald, Pokemon 218,574
20 NDS Touch! Kirby, Nintendo 208,405

[xbdestroya]

Nintendo's a monster publisher, no doubt about that!

[Hrama]

Heck yeah they are. Nintendo could market sliced bread as a new game and Japan would buy it no doubt.

[Jasonps3]

That's the power of Nintendo for yah. Poor Microsoft. No Xbox game in the top 20.

[F089/H]

$399 USD would only be $300 euro. But seriously. I don't think casual gamers (who I presume these gamers are) realise that they'll come out at a higher price :P They're asking for aprice of about $299 USD which isn't too bad.

I don't think PS3 will be that expensive though. I think Sony are just trying to get the talking up, ny press is good press, and it'll look alot better for Sony when they announce a lower price than anyone expected (like with PSP). Shock and awe tactics, it works well.


I'm with ya on this one.and I also think Sony is waiting for costs in manufacturing to go down,then they can really shock everyone :aim=-o:

[thedynamite007]

Mistwalker isn't first party I don't believe, but these two first games from them are supposedly exclusives, at least for the time being. And Microsoft is basically paying for all development, hiring 80 programmers for their Japanese office on their behalf. I mean, it's a big financial investment Microsoft is putting into these guys; I think Microsoft views them as their single best shot to break into the Japanese market - and they're probably right.

No matter what they do even if they buy all the developers in Japan , most Japanese simply thus not like foreign products expecially M$ which they view as a monopolistic and oppurtunistic company who pretends to be good but in fact they just wnat to monopolise the world. Hey even there charity work they make it as there wagon for there monopolistic activities. Imagine when they donate a computer they always embed it with M$ products and they always give rules that the curriculum should only be base on M$ windows. THIS ARE FACTS!!! They dont give freedom for the consumer to select what they want.

In Japan they mostly use Linux and Apple. you may say that they are foreign product but they know that they are more reliable and more of a good business sample. No matter what M$ do in Japan they will not be love. some developers who work for them actually thus not like it either but the money is big so they bite it. I heard that Sakaguchi, Okamoto and mizuguchi was paid large sums of money just to convince them. I ask you did you hear that they love M$ and impress with them thats why they have work for them? They are impress with the money and thats a FACT! M$ is taking advantage of teh fragile economy of Japan but until know we still see the Japanese nationalistic stands because for there love of there own products.

[xbdestroya]

Well, Japan's a weird place - they are pretty nationalistic in a lot of ways, which serves to protect their culture (which I'm a big fan of), but is still something I disagree with on the whole. I'm just against nationalism and it's social byproducts (and Japan is pretty xenophobic really, as far as modern countries go). Now, I would counter your statements themselves though and say that in spite of their nationalism and preference for homegrown products, as long as something is perceived as fashionable, it's almost BETTER if it comes from overseas. Gucci, Prada, Coach, Louis Vuitton - these brands rule Jpananese high fashion. And these are a people obsessed with style. Did you know these companies derive not only some, but in fact a huge percentage of their profits from the Japanese, and the Japanese alone?

Foreign electronics becoming 'chic' like that in Japan is extremely rare - but currently the iPod is enjoying that same sort of success there.

I agree with you in the basic premise though that I do not believe Microsoft will be able to break into the Japanese market this gen the way they would like. Japan cost them a lot of money last gen, and it looks like it might cost them a lot more once again.

(And no use complaining about donated Windows PC's - I actually think that's Microsoft at it's world-citizen best. Who cares if it's got Media Player on it! :) )

[Applefiend]

The thing about video game consoles is you rent them, not buy em.

It's about $70 a year now, $50 a year at launch.

So If you buy that PS2 now at $149, you have at most 2 years of gaming. Pretty tired gaming at that.

If you bought one at launch for $299, you get 7 years of gaming. That's about $40 a year.

Your choice. :D

Just buy it dude. It's only 400 bucks.

[O.D.S]

To: Xbdestroya -

yeah, about not posting the link... it seems it just didnt cross my mind
anyway here it is: http://www.igniq.com/2005/07/japan-yawns-at-xbox-360.html

[The_One]

In Japan they mostly use Linux and Apple. you may say that they are foreign product but they know that they are more reliable and more of a good business sample. Are you sure about that? Sure, I haven't been to Japan in eight years, but if anything, they use Windows products way more than Linux or Apple.
Attention: PSINext forum members, the forum has changed over to vBulletin. I am as disoriented as the rest of you - let's give ourselves some time to adjust. Bwahaha, I have already adapted in two short visits ^_^.
The thing about video game consoles is you rent them, not buy em.

It's about $70 a year now, $50 a year at launch.

So If you buy that PS2 now at $149, you have at most 2 years of gaming. Pretty tired gaming at that.

If you bought one at launch for $299, you get 7 years of gaming. That's about $40 a year.

Your choice. I like your thinking :D (except consoles can last way longer than that, heck I even played my SNES some last year). Too bad those Xbox gamers are losing out no matter what, since Xbox is getting the boots from MS at the end of next year :lol:. On the other hand, Sony has plans for each PS to last 10 years, that's a pretty long time ^_^.

[Metal Sphere]

Not really. Developers continued to feed the PSOne's library of games well into the PS2's life, especially since low-income folks would then be able to pick up the machine and a whole slew of games. In a sense, their allowing the console to stay out on the market that long allows them to reach young and old gamers, as well as rich and poor.

Just as Nintendo had their customers that grew up with them, so too will Sony.

[Angeljuice]

The thing about video game consoles is you rent them, not buy em.

It's about $70 a year now, $50 a year at launch.

So If you buy that PS2 now at $149, you have at most 2 years of gaming. Pretty tired gaming at that.

If you bought one at launch for $299, you get 7 years of gaming. That's about $40 a year.

Your choice. :D

Just buy it dude. It's only 400 bucks.

Yeah I'm with you on that, there's nothing like getting a console on release.
If you're smart you can make money too.
When the original playstation was first released, I set mine up in the back room of a friends (very small) snack shop. Pretty much everyone I knew (and all their friends) began visiting the shop for a go on my new machine, I didn't charge anything to play but for the first 6 months, my friends takings for his shop went up by over 400%. Everyone was spending as long as possible and having all their meals, drinks e.t.c there.

With the profit he made, he very kindly gave me a percentage, which more than covered the cost of the hardware and games I'd purchased. :bigpimp: