Microsoft Gathering Japanese Giants

Microsoft Gathering Japanese Giants Ok, I just read an article at Gamespot that has got me thinking. I'm already very excited about the next generation consoles and games and info like this is just what I need to keep the excitement level up. Gamespot reports that in a recent interview on the official Xbox website in Japan, Game Republic's Yoshiki Okamoto is saying that several 'big-name' game developers are getting behind the next gen Xbox and that the lineup of launch games for the console may shock the game industry. So... Microsoft has recruited Hironobu Sakaguchi (Final Fantasy), Tetsuya Mizuguchi (Space Channel 5) and Yoshiki Okamoto. All great, ok, giant Japanese gaming developers. In the interview, Okamoto said, "If the current lineup [of games] in development for the next-generation Xbox was revealed,it would not only surprise users, but the entire industry. There probably wouldn't be anyone [in Japan] that would still be uninterested in buying the next-generation Xbox when they see the lineup." He is currently making a number of games for the next gen Xbox that are already in playable format. Hmmm... the more I thought about it, the more sense it makes. Let's face it, Xbox console sales in Japan have been and still are dismal. So, Microsoft is recruiting the giants of Japanese gaming to the next gen Xbox seemingly in hopes that this will help them establish an audience with Japanese gamers. Makes sense doesn't it? So what about the U.S.? In an interview with Shane Kim on the official U.S. Xbox website, Mr. Kim reveals that, "we’ve also built some great franchises that customers love and look forward to playing for many generations of Xbox, like Halo, Fable, Project Gotham Racing, and the upcoming Jade Empire and Forza Motorsport." Many generations huh? It looks like they have their bases covered here too... if these franchises continue to blossom anyways. And if that fails, Mr. Allard has his micro-transitions. Read more | Gamespot