Initially any Japanese success for the Xbox highly doubted, but when Konami out of no-where pledged support for the Xbox it finally gave the machine a fighting chance in Japan. Next a huge blow to Playstation's exclusivity was the announcement of Metal Gear X on Xbox. Hideo Kojima was adamant on the Xbox version having improved graphics but downplayed the Xbox as not being a major graphical upgrade compared to the PS2.
Core Magazine notes how Tecmo are going to be releasing a new version of DOA2 on the Xbox (later known as DOA3) that will also add to it's growing Japanese portfolio. Tecmo was a strong backer throughout Xbox's life with Dead or Alive 3 being a solid launch title to show off the graphical capabilities of the Xbox and Ninja Gaiden receiving critical acclaim.
During the turn of the century, it was clear SquareSoft was becoming more interesting in online gaming. With Square releasing more PC titles and the Xbox being easy to port for in addition to its online capabilities, Square looked to be a strong supporter of the Xbox. Unfortunately SquareSoft never released any titles on the Xbox. Vice President of Square Enix Keiji Honda later noted “I have two concerns about Xbox. My first concern is that it is being designed and marketed by Microsoft, and my second concern is that it will be compatible with Windows.”. However in the Eurogamer article Square insisted on having the game be cross compatible with PC and Xbox players. Regardless, relationships between the two companies broke down and FFXI finally released but on PS2 and PC instead.
One of the earliest comments made was back on the 6th of April 2001 where Sprong reported that Capcom vice-president Yoshiki Okamoto said how the Xbox had a "very tiny opportunity" in becoming a successful console in Japan. What makes this comment slightly contradictory is the fact that Capcom strongly backed the Xbox initially with exclusive titles like Ominusha 2 and Group S Challenge. Even more bizarrely the article notes how months prior to this statement he was noted as being a firm backer of the Xbox. Maybe he's just indecisive?
It doesn't stop there. Nintendo's head of Public Relations Yasuhiro Minagawa was baffled by Microsofts indecisive strategy leading him to question how serious they actually are. Yasuhiro ended by theorising how Microsoft are simply copying Sony's Playstation business model thanks to the under reliance of first party output and over reliance on making deals with third parties instead.
As the launch date arrived, Lehman Brothers analyist Yukie Saito was reported saying how the lack of strong launch titles may prevent the Xbox in convincing Japanese gamers to buy it. The same article notes how Amazon of Japan had sold out in a day with the popular games being JSRF, PGR and DOA3.
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Links:
- http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-12-13-why-xbox-failed-in-japan
WayBackMachine Links:
- http://www.coremagazine.com/columns/17.php3?2
- http://xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/news-archive-17-2-2002.php
- www.spong.com/framehead.asp?go=news&mode=full&prid=1367
