RPGs Are The Key to Making the Xbox Popular in Japan
The most recent edition of Japan's Famitsu magazine features an interview with Yoshihiro Maruyama, the general manager of the Xbox in Japan. And Maruyama is convinced that key to making a success of the Xbox in the land of the yen is this: more role-playing games for the system.
Talking about the appeal of the 'box's current software line-up, Maruyama says that: "What the Xbox lacks now are RPG games, which Japanese gamers like, and games featuring strong characters like Gundam. Obviously, something must be done about this."
Maruyama previously worked as a US Vice President at Squaresoft (as was), while Square-Enix is surely the most influential and important RPG developer in the world.
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I agree w/ Peepers, but...
It couldn't hurt the US, either. I've always loved RPG's, and as my Xbox is my only real gaming outlet for the time being, I know I speak for the handful of RPG fans at XBA when I say:
GIMME MY ROLE-PLAYING FIX YOU TOE-PICKING RUG MONKEYS!
Oh, but then I gotta tell myself, there is hope beyond tomorrow (ie: Fable and those others).
Re: I agree w/ Peepers, but...
If it weren't for those damn japs and their idiotic gundam $4!+ then their wouldn't be a contest between xbox and gamecube in japan. I enjoy a few anime shows, mostly the ones that aren't:
"I can kill you ha ha because I raised a power level ha ha and I will always be better than you ha ha!" -Gogetatenks
"But wait, I can gain another power level which will make me better than you ha ha!" -Kreezacell
"What's this? I gained another power level which will allow me to make a the viewers tv flash for 10 minutes even though it won't really hurt you ha ha!" -Gogetatenks
They can keep this bullcrapalonga. I'll stick with good, old-fashioned comedy anime's, mainly aimed toward sexuality... Maybe those japs are good for something after all...
Gundum can kiss it.
I'll kiss Fable's.