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Thus demonstrating that Microsoft only needs provide a few games for the Japanese audience (that don't suck) and their console will sell.

If they really care. Microsoft is primarily orientated to the American market.

Stargate Nerd wrote:

Pelranius wrote:
Looks like the PS3 is outselling the X360, and more so if the price drops again (which is probable), though the X360 beat it in Japan this month (though a fluke from the release of a RPG, IIRC).

The 360 is actually sold out till September in Japan.

They basically go through this cycle for every new RPG release over there. I suspect Infnite Undiscovery will cause a similar sales boost in September, and I expect Star Ocean 4 will do the same next year.

If they really care. Microsoft is primarily orientated to the American market.

Microsoft is orientated to whoever will buy their stuff. The Xbox actually has, for instance, more JRPGs than any of the other home consoles this generation (even the Wii gets no RPG love).

Vendetta wrote:

If they really care. Microsoft is primarily orientated to the American market.

Microsoft is orientated to whoever will buy their stuff. The Xbox actually has, for instance, more JRPGs than any of the other home consoles this generation (even the Wii gets no RPG love).

But unfortunately for them, either they got really poor reviews or they weren't established franchises, so Japan didn't really care.

DPDarkPrimus wrote:Thus demonstrating that Microsoft only needs provide a few games for the Japanese audience (that don't suck) and their console will sell.

But the problem is that the 360 doesn't really sell in Japan. The average week sees the Wii @ 40k, the PS3 @ 10k and the 360 around 2,500.

DPDarkPrimus wrote:But unfortunately for them, either they got really poor reviews or they weren't established franchises, so Japan didn't really care.

What Microsoft needs is one of the major anime RPGs/fighting games to be on the XBox 360, but that is difficult. Some of the Japanese developers are still developing for the PS2, if that is any indication.

Stargate Nerd wrote:

DPDarkPrimus wrote:Thus demonstrating that Microsoft only needs provide a few games for the Japanese audience (that don't suck) and their console will sell.

But the problem is that the 360 doesn't really sell in Japan. The average week sees the Wii @ 40k, the PS3 @ 10k and the 360 around 2,500.

And then one game comes out and the 360 sells out across Japan. Thus my comment that you quoted. QED.

Pelranius wrote:Looks like the PS3 is outselling the X360, and more so if the price drops again (which is probable), though the X360 beat it in Japan this month (though a fluke from the release of a RPG, IIRC).

It's a bit of an odd assumption that the PS3 may lower prices again and the 360 won't.

apocolypse wrote:

Pelranius wrote:Looks like the PS3 is outselling the X360, and more so if the price drops again (which is probable), though the X360 beat it in Japan this month (though a fluke from the release of a RPG, IIRC).

It's a bit of an odd assumption that the PS3 may lower prices again and the 360 won't.

Especially when the 360's upcoming september price cut is the current worst kept secret in the industry, and Sony have categorically stated they won't be cutting the PS3's price (As they have previously done, they'll keep the price static and just increase the HDD sizes, there's a 160GB part on the way)

Vendetta wrote:

apocolypse wrote:

Pelranius wrote:Looks like the PS3 is outselling the X360, and more so if the price drops again (which is probable), though the X360 beat it in Japan this month (though a fluke from the release of a RPG, IIRC).

It's a bit of an odd assumption that the PS3 may lower prices again and the 360 won't.

Especially when the 360's upcoming september price cut is the current worst kept secret in the industry, and Sony have categorically stated they won't be cutting the PS3's price (As they have previously done, they'll keep the price static and just increase the HDD sizes, there's a 160GB part on the way)

I thought I had heard something about an upcoming 360 cut. Poor MS doesn't seem to be doing a good job of secret-keeping huh? I wonder if that's part of the reason 360 sales have flatlined. With a good many people knowing about a price cut coming up, why buy one right now? I've thought about picking up a newer one myself as mine's the old 20GB pre-HDMI model, but it's still running trusty so it's probably a bit of a waste of money.

Edit: Damn...I didn't hear about it going down to $199 for the Arcade. That's a nice price point.

And wrt PS3 sales Pelranius. While it is indeed increasing, many of the purchases are being used as blu-ray players by people that do not typically game and don't have much intention of using it to play games (and with good reason, the PS3 is one of the best Blu Ray players for the money). You read about it quite often, and on the Amazon list right underneath the $399.99 PS3 is the Blu Ray remote. I'm not knocking the PS3 or anything, she's a nice piece of hardware. But there are more factors involved than just PS3 FTW!

apocolypse wrote: Edit: Damn...I didn't hear about it going down to $199 for the Arcade. That's a nice price point.

The Arcade is actually the cheapest current console in the UK. It's £20 cheaper than the Wii.

Vendetta wrote:

apocolypse wrote: Edit: Damn...I didn't hear about it going down to $199 for the Arcade. That's a nice price point.

The Arcade is actually the cheapest current console in the UK. It's £20 cheaper than the Wii.

No kidding? That's good to hear. I feel bad for the EU and Aussie members cause it seems like you guys are always getting the shaft on price.

How neutered is the Arcade, though? Will it even play all games?

Bounty wrote:How neutered is the Arcade, though? Will it even play all games?

...Yes. Pretty much the only thing that the arcade doesn't have is the hard drive, so you can't take full advantage of the online marketplace (save for, of course, the arcade games).

Well, fuck. If this price drop is true I just might wind up buying one next month. I've got no qualms shelling out $300 or less for a console. Right now the price point was my biggest hangup in not buying a PS3, but if MS is going to lower theirs to a reasonable amount, why not.

Hotfoot wrote:

Bounty wrote:How neutered is the Arcade, though? Will it even play all games?

...Yes. Pretty much the only thing that the arcade doesn't have is the hard drive, so you can't take full advantage of the online marketplace (save for, of course, the arcade games).

You do get a 512MB memory unit though, so you can get basically anything other than demos and Shivering Isles without further outlay.

Vendetta wrote:

Hotfoot wrote:

Bounty wrote:How neutered is the Arcade, though? Will it even play all games?

...Yes. Pretty much the only thing that the arcade doesn't have is the hard drive, so you can't take full advantage of the online marketplace (save for, of course, the arcade games).

You do get a 512MB memory unit though, so you can get basically anything other than demos and Shivering Isles without further outlay.

It's worth pointing out, even though it may be obvious, that you cannot get most TV shows, movies, or other such things on a mere 512MB card. You're looking at, mostly, savegames, themes, gamerpictures, some music, some DLC (not map packs, those usually check in at 400-600MB), but that's about it.

You can, of course, buy any of the hard drive units currently on sale like the 120GB unit after purchasing the initial unit, but usually if you're going to go that route, you might as well just pick up the Elite and get HDMI while you're at it.

Actually, all models have HDMI now. The Elite was just the first to include it.

If you shop around, an Arcade and 120GB HDD seperately can turn out cheaper than an Elite (albeit you'd also have a headset if you got the elite).

Vendetta wrote:

apocolypse wrote:

Pelranius wrote:Looks like the PS3 is outselling the X360, and more so if the price drops again (which is probable), though the X360 beat it in Japan this month (though a fluke from the release of a RPG, IIRC).

It's a bit of an odd assumption that the PS3 may lower prices again and the 360 won't.

Especially when the 360's upcoming september price cut is the current worst kept secret in the industry, and Sony have categorically stated they won't be cutting the PS3's price (As they have previously done, they'll keep the price static and just increase the HDD sizes, there's a 160GB part on the way)

I was wondering when they were going to increase the memory. It rather irritates me that there are different versions of both consoles, because it only increases my confusion (I don't have the time to justify buying a console and play games on it in college).

Pelranius wrote: I was wondering when they were going to increase the memory. It rather irritates me that there are different versions of both consoles, because it only increases my confusion (I don't have the time to justify buying a console and play games on it in college).

When in doubt ask Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_360#R ... igurations

Vendetta wrote:Especially when the 360's upcoming september price cut is the current worst kept secret in the industry, and Sony have categorically stated they won't be cutting the PS3's price (As they have previously done, they'll keep the price static and just increase the HDD sizes, there's a 160GB part on the way)

Funny note on this... about a week ago I asked one of my local game retailers if the launch of the 80GB PS3 last Friday (yes, we are well and truly behind on PS3 releases... and ours don't even work with PS2 games) would mean a price drop for the 40GB model. The guy told me that it wouldn't, because Sony have ordered retailers to return all 40GB models currently out there, so that they can be refitted and reboxed into 80GB versions.

Sony just don't seem to realise that it's absolutely ridiculous having the cheapest (in fact, only) PS3 model twice as expensive as the cheapest 360 model. And I'm not kidding; Amazon UK lists the Xbox 360 Arcade for £149 vs. the PS3's £299! Even the new 60GB version of the 360 (a far fairer comparison to the PS3 in terms of specs) is only £179.

Vendetta wrote:Actually, all models have HDMI now. The Elite was just the first to include it.

If you shop around, an Arcade and 120GB HDD seperately can turn out cheaper than an Elite (albeit you'd also have a headset if you got the elite).

The headset isn't much of a problem, as any mic is quite cheap, even the best Microsoft one. I believe I bought the best in Gamestop (wired with foam earphone, instead of one you plugged into your ear) for less than $15. Unfortunately, a wireless is about $60.

chitoryu12 wrote:Unfortunately, a wireless is about $60.

Unless you play with your arms completely extended, the only reason to get a wireless headset is for use with guitar peripherals.

Also, when I bought mine, the Premium edition 360 came with a headset. They might have changed it though, it's been a couple years since I got it.

DaveJB wrote:
Funny note on this... about a week ago I asked one of my local game retailers if the launch of the 80GB PS3 last Friday (yes, we are well and truly behind on PS3 releases... and ours don't even work with PS2 games) would mean a price drop for the 40GB model. The guy told me that it wouldn't, because Sony have ordered retailers to return all 40GB models currently out there, so that they can be refitted and reboxed into 80GB versions.

You know I highly doubt that Sony would go through all that trouble and have the 40gigs shipped back to retrofit them. It's more likely that the 80gig version will simply replace the 40gig once the latter is all sold out.

Also the new 80gig is a worldwide release and is essentially the same as the 40gig, whereas the American 80gig that debuted last year was simply a European 60gig PS3 with a bigger harddrive.

If I had a choice between two consoles at the moment I'd choose the XBox-360, but I heard misgivinings about it's quality and it supposedly breaks down as much as the slimline PS2 (but I heard newer 360s are better), plus it is Microsoft (a company more traditionally seen as highly dubious).