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While the Kinect has been a huge success in the West, it’s failed to capture the attention of the gaming masses in Japan. After a rough start with only 26,000 units sold in its first week on shelves, the camera peripheral managed to hit just 90,000 sales by the end of the year. Microsoft has at least acknowledged the struggle; saying sales have failed to meet internal expectations – according to Takashi Sensui, general manager of being obvious and Interactive Entertainment Business.
This is indicative of how the Xbox brand has been received as a whole in Japan. The original Xbox was famously ignored by much of the video game population and went on to sell only some 500,000 units in total. The Xbox 360 has not done that much better with just 1.5 million units old in the five and a half years it’s been on shelves. This has led to a lot of talk of Microsoft cutting their loses and phasing out the Xbox in Japan.
Despite what’s been said, Microsoft remains adamant that Xbox 360 is staying put, much to the chagrin of store owners everywhere. Microsoft recognized that it’s been an uphill battle but seem undeterred in trying to make headway in the console race there even if it’s the last thing gamers want. Microsoft is banking on Kinect games based on familiar IP to appeal to core Japanese gamers.
Unless the familiar IP is La Blue Girl, I don’t see Microsoft standing when when the smoke clears and tallies are taken. Microsoft has proven that you can flat out lose an entire territory in this console war but still be successful in the end. Some people believe they should take that consolation prize and run.