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alistein
04-05-2004, 04:13 PM
Xbox // Famitsu Xbox talks with Takashi Sensui
17:03
Xbox Strategy Planner, Takashi Sensui, was interviewed by Famitsu Xbox in the latest issue and discusses a few of the recent hot topics surrounding Xbox in Japan.

- Both Microsoft and Sensui personally apologise for the delay of "True Fantasy Live Online." They are currently trying to increase the quality of the game with a new world that will break the standards of MMORPGs.
- The limited edition "Kasumi-chan Blue Xbox" will be released at the same time as "DOA Online". They hope this can happen as soon as possible.
- Microsoft are currently investigating an increase in the number of shipments for the limited "Kasumi-chan" bundle, but nothing has been decided yet.
- As long as users want limited colour Xboxes, Microsoft would like to meet their demands.
- Sensui often checks many message boards and feels a sense of anxiety amongst fans. He is constantly asking Microsoft Game Studios and third parties to make new titles to try to wipe out this uneasy atmosphere.
- The timing of announcing original 3rd party titles is often out of Microsoft's control, but they would like to announce new first party titles as soon as possible. They'd like to announce something soon after E3.
- Microsoft Japan would like to release "Halo 2" quickly soon after the US version. A worldwide simultaneous release is impossible, but they are trying to bring it over to Japan as soon as possible.
- There are still some first party titles that haven't been announced yet.
- Microsoft Game Studio Japan are currently hard at work on an offline RPG, though some part of it will be linked with Xbox Live.
- Maruyama is currently working on some full localisations of western games for the Japanese gamers to enjoy.
- Maruyama said a while ago that Microsoft will release 8 titles a month. While they are still meeting that target, it's likely a number of these titles will come under the unlocalised World Collection.
- Starting from summer, "DOA Online", "Spikeout" and then Microsoft's "Halo 2" will be the main releases. After that some successful US releases will be localised.
- Recently a few arcade ports have been announced for Xbox, which is positive news. Microsoft would like to give users the impression that Xbox is a good machine for ports of arcade games.
- It looks like some Japanese third party titles will be announced at E3.
- The third parties are releasing more Xbox titles, including a few of the developers who haven't been seen on Xbox recently.
- Microsoft would like to release titles with more quality and variety, but releasing games promptly is always at the front of their minds.
- Xbox Live will be upgraded this Spring to include some new ways to play.

Source: Entsu
Post: Jonnyram

Here is more from 1UP
Microsoft's Japanese arm has had a rough go of it this generation, with poor sales performance from Xbox hardware and software and numerous shakeups in its leadership ranks. A less-than-receptive market may turn a bit in 2004, however, as Microsoft continues to plug away and a new round of software arrives. Recently, Microsoft's Munetatsu Matsui spoke to Famitsu Xbox, explaining the company's software strategy for the coming year.
Building third-party support in Japan is one of his key goals, Matsui explained, both dealing with third parties already developing software for Xbox and working to build relationships with companies that either haven't chosen to support the platform yet or who may have dropped support after early experiments failed. Dead or Alive Online and Sega's SpikeOut are Microsoft's core third-party games for the Japanese market this summer, he said, but they'll be accompanied by other Japanese third-party games that may be announced at E3.

As for new first-party games, Matsui explained that he does hope to be able to announce some new first-party projects from Microsoft's Japanese studios shortly after E3, as well as localized titles from outside Japan. Halo 2, he said, will arrive in Japan shortly after its American release, and serve as the "trunk" of the Xbox software tree, as it were, but it won't be released simultaneously worldwide like Project Gotham Racing 2.

In relation to SpikeOut, Matsui also briefly addressed the subject of arcade ports for Xbox. He said that Microsoft is definitely interested in bringing arcade games to its console -- OutRun 2 is a game that's loomed large in fans' minds recently -- but he wants to make sure that arcade conversions "give the impression of being Xbox games."

Finally, he also noted that Microsoft is considering expanding the limited-edition run of Dead or Alive Online "Kasumi-chan Blue" Xbox consoles, suggesting that pre-orders of Team Ninja's next fighting game have been brisk despite its recent delay into the summer season.

We'll be seeing that game at E3 alongside the rest of the worldwide Xbox lineup, so look forward to more news when the show rolls around, and afterwards as well if Microsoft chooses to hold a few announcements back.


source:1UP
more info can be found here.
http://game-science.com/news/000516.html

http://www.slcentral.com/c/g/r/ubisoft/grandia2/i/1b.jpg

Shorezy
04-05-2004, 04:20 PM
Great info man and thanks for it. It's always interesting to see how Xbox is in Japan and TFLO would soooo be wonderful soon! Anyway thanks again, great info, nice find.