I figured out why Japan really hates the Vita

They have little hands! For years they have been able to laugh at the westerners hand cramping from trying to hold dualshock controllers and PSP's. Now that wee have a system worthy of taking up the full range of good ol' western finger range we have the last laugh!

...or not.

Is that why Japan hated the original Xbox? Or are there less crazy/esoteric reasons for this?

@Video_Game_King said:

Is that why Japan hated the original Xbox? Or are there less crazy/esoteric reasons for this?

The Xbox and Xbox 360 don't sell in Japan largely because they're foreign consoles. Microsoft tried very specifically to target the Japanese market at the 360's launch, but beyond a few bursts of above average sales when certain games have come out, it doesn't sell well at all. Last I heard, it was getting outsold by the PS2 on a weekly basis. Japan is Nintendo and Sony's home turf. Microsoft needs to do more than throw money at Japanese developers to make Japanese games that Japanese people would like if they want to see any of their consoles become competitive in that market outside of niche genres like bullet hell shooters.

@Hailinel said:

@Video_Game_King said:

Is that why Japan hated the original Xbox? Or are there less crazy/esoteric reasons for this?

The Xbox and Xbox 360 don't sell in Japan largely because they're foreign consoles. Microsoft tried very specifically to target the Japanese market at the 360's launch, but beyond a few bursts of above average sales when certain games have come out, it doesn't sell well at all. Last I heard, it was getting outsold by the PS2 on a weekly basis. Japan is Nintendo and Sony's home turf. Microsoft needs to do more than throw money at Japanese developers to make Japanese games that Japanese people would like if they want to see any of their consoles become competitive in that market outside of niche genres like bullet hell shooters.

And this is what I meant by "less crazy/esoteric reasons".

@Hailinel said:

@Video_Game_King said:

Is that why Japan hated the original Xbox? Or are there less crazy/esoteric reasons for this?

The Xbox and Xbox 360 don't sell in Japan largely because they're foreign consoles. Microsoft tried very specifically to target the Japanese market at the 360's launch, but beyond a few bursts of above average sales when certain games have come out, it doesn't sell well at all. Last I heard, it was getting outsold by the PS2 on a weekly basis. Japan is Nintendo and Sony's home turf. Microsoft needs to do more than throw money at Japanese developers to make Japanese games that Japanese people would like if they want to see any of their consoles become competitive in that market outside of niche genres like bullet hell shooters.

In other words there weren't any hentai/dating sims on the xbox consoles.

@ShadowSkill11 said:

@Hailinel said:

@Video_Game_King said:

Is that why Japan hated the original Xbox? Or are there less crazy/esoteric reasons for this?

The Xbox and Xbox 360 don't sell in Japan largely because they're foreign consoles. Microsoft tried very specifically to target the Japanese market at the 360's launch, but beyond a few bursts of above average sales when certain games have come out, it doesn't sell well at all. Last I heard, it was getting outsold by the PS2 on a weekly basis. Japan is Nintendo and Sony's home turf. Microsoft needs to do more than throw money at Japanese developers to make Japanese games that Japanese people would like if they want to see any of their consoles become competitive in that market outside of niche genres like bullet hell shooters.

In other words there weren't any hentai/dating sims on the xbox consoles.

No, I'm pretty sure that there are plenty of dating sims for the 360. But that's a niche market of its own and nothing that wold drive console sales like a new Dragon Quest or Monster Hunter release.

@Hailinel said:

@Video_Game_King said:

Is that why Japan hated the original Xbox? Or are there less crazy/esoteric reasons for this?

The Xbox and Xbox 360 don't sell in Japan largely because they're foreign consoles. Microsoft tried very specifically to target the Japanese market at the 360's launch, but beyond a few bursts of above average sales when certain games have come out, it doesn't sell well at all. Last I heard, it was getting outsold by the PS2 on a weekly basis. Japan is Nintendo and Sony's home turf. Microsoft needs to do more than throw money at Japanese developers to make Japanese games that Japanese people would like if they want to see any of their consoles become competitive in that market outside of niche genres like bullet hell shooters.

In other words there weren't any hentai/dating sims on the xbox consoles.

Fighting game players in japan would rather play in an arcade.

@ShadowSkill11 said:

In other words there weren't any hentai/dating sims on the xbox consoles.

Actually, I'm pretty sure the 360 has more visual novels than the PS3 does.

I'm going to go with...not. Your argument is made moot by the fact the 3ds sold poorly at start and now is picking up steam. The Vita really isn't that different from a psp in terms of size, so...yeah.

@Sammo21 said:

I'm going to go with...not. Your argument is made moot by the fact the 3ds sold poorly at start and now is picking up steam. The Vita really isn't that different from a psp in terms of size, so...yeah.

The Vita's pretty damn different from a PSP in terms of size. Shape's virtually identical, but man, the Vita is humongous.

@SpaceRunaway said:

@ShadowSkill11 said:

In other words there weren't any hentai/dating sims on the xbox consoles.

Actually, I'm pretty sure the 360 has more visual novels than the PS3 does.

I want to be in the boardroom meeting when someone is like "Ok this is how we sell in Japan......creepy porn." Than a round of applause and people shouting out "Brilliant!"

@MikkaQ: humungous? Who are you, Warwick Davis?

@iAmJohn said:

This

@iAmJohn said:

This one suits the topic more

@Hailinel said:

@Video_Game_King said:

Is that why Japan hated the original Xbox? Or are there less crazy/esoteric reasons for this?

The Xbox and Xbox 360 don't sell in Japan largely because they're foreign consoles. Microsoft tried very specifically to target the Japanese market at the 360's launch, but beyond a few bursts of above average sales when certain games have come out, it doesn't sell well at all. Last I heard, it was getting outsold by the PS2 on a weekly basis. Japan is Nintendo and Sony's home turf. Microsoft needs to do more than throw money at Japanese developers to make Japanese games that Japanese people would like if they want to see any of their consoles become competitive in that market outside of niche genres like bullet hell shooters.

what do you suggest?

Also everyone knows that Like Strategy games, Visual novels, and porn play better on a pc.

Does Japan even really hate the Vita? I've heard no such thing.

@Sammo21 said:

@MikkaQ: humungous? Who are you, Warwick Davis?

It's like an inch bigger in each direction, which for a handheld is quite a bit. Screen's more than an inch bigger, too. It's a large handheld, I'd have to wear cargo pants to carry it in my pockets comfortably, but I haven't given up on society yet, so I won't. It's for bags and purses, doesn't seem like a pocket device. Don't have to be a dwarf to recognize that.

@Dagbiker said:

@Hailinel said:

@Video_Game_King said:

Is that why Japan hated the original Xbox? Or are there less crazy/esoteric reasons for this?

The Xbox and Xbox 360 don't sell in Japan largely because they're foreign consoles. Microsoft tried very specifically to target the Japanese market at the 360's launch, but beyond a few bursts of above average sales when certain games have come out, it doesn't sell well at all. Last I heard, it was getting outsold by the PS2 on a weekly basis. Japan is Nintendo and Sony's home turf. Microsoft needs to do more than throw money at Japanese developers to make Japanese games that Japanese people would like if they want to see any of their consoles become competitive in that market outside of niche genres like bullet hell shooters.

what do you suggest?

Well, nothing is going to help the 360 in Japan at this point. They were on the right track in making moves like financing Mistwalker to produce games like Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey, which produced bumps in sales for the hardware, but Microsoft didn't commit. Success of the 360 would have been better had Microsoft done more than place all of their eggs in a select few baskets. If they had spent money to produce Japan-targeted games over the full duration of the life cycle of the console, they might have stood a better chance. Might have. But what Microsoft did was more or less abandon the idea once the temporary sales boosts those titles provided died off. Further, Japan-targeted games that third parties produced like Tales of Vesperia and Star Ocean: The Last Hope ended up on the PS3 in enhanced forms, which Microsoft had no control over.

Microsoft's biggest Japan-market coup in the past few years was getting a 360 version of Final Fantasy XIII, which, aside from riling Sony fanboys, once again did little to secure any sort of stronger foothold because there was also the PS3 version right there.

Really, for all the talk Microsoft spouted at the start of this generation, I find it hard to believe that they really tried. They don't even have the control to keep Blue Dragon titles from appearing on the Nintendo DS. It went form being one of Microsoft's most anticipated exclusives to a franchise that has seen more releases on a rival console manufacturer's handheld.

I have large manly hands and I love the DS2. Maybe it's because I have large manly Asian hands.

If we can take anything away from the last 6 ish? years of xboxing is that microsoft does not need Japan and their tiny hands to succeed....

@Hailinel said:

They don't even have the control to keep Blue Dragon titles from appearing on the Nintendo DS. It went form being one of Microsoft's most anticipated exclusives to a game that received, at best, a lukewarm reception to a franchise that has seen more releases on a rival console manufacturer's handheld.

This missing step explains a lot :P.

The reason it's selling badly is because MH3G is on the 3DS, and MH4 will be, and future Pokémon games will be. The Vita has Uncharted and Marvel whose audiences are mainly in the west.

@Video_Game_King said:

@Hailinel said:

They don't even have the control to keep Blue Dragon titles from appearing on the Nintendo DS. It went form being one of Microsoft's most anticipated exclusives to a game that received, at best, a lukewarm reception to a franchise that has seen more releases on a rival console manufacturer's handheld.

This missing step explains a lot :P.

That the game turned out mediocre does not negate the fact that it boosted console sales.

@Hailinel: It somewhat explains why the game moved to the DS though (& Microsoft "allowing" it).

@MikkaQ:

PSP dimensions: 2.9" x 6.7" x 0.91"

PS Vita dimensions: 3.3 x 7.2 x 0.73

So no...not that much different and definitely not 1" larger on each side.

@Sammo21 said:

@MikkaQ:

PSP dimensions: 2.9" x 6.7" x 0.91"

PS Vita dimensions: 3.3 x 7.2 x 0.73

So no...not that much different and definitely not 1" larger on each side.

Well I approximated. My opinion still stands as a PSP owner and as someone who has played a Vita, those things are stupid huge. I was reminded of the Game Gear, and that's not a good thing.

@MikkaQ: holy shit as an owner of both a SEGA Nomad and a SEGA Gamegear you are so way off, lmfao.

http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2007/07/shrekgamegear.jpg

vs

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01918/playstation-vita_1918138c.jpg

@Sammo21: I said reminded. I got the same "Oh god this is too big to be appropriate" feeling. And I actually liked the old Xbox controller haha.

@MikkaQ: Different strokes and all that. I played 2-3 hours of uncharted, 10+ hours of persona portable, and probably 2-3 hours of various other PSP and Vita games this past weekend and I never thought it was too big...in fact the only thing I keep taking away is the Vita is deceptively light in weight but its not a problem. I think its comfortable and so far any touch controls I've had to use have also been comfortable to use.

Carrying in a pocket isn't important to me as I am 27 years old and as a network administrator who works 5+ days a week I keep things in my bag, especially considering I keep my e-reader in there. I think the vita is a great little system so far.

also I find it weird you think the Vita is too large but you also admit the xbox fat controls were great.

Nobody hates the Vita, it's just a rough start to a new console...this happens quite often. Look at the 3DS, that didn't sell great to begin with. (anywhere for that matter)

@Hailinel said:

@Video_Game_King said:

Is that why Japan hated the original Xbox? Or are there less crazy/esoteric reasons for this?

The Xbox and Xbox 360 don't sell in Japan largely because they're foreign consoles. Microsoft tried very specifically to target the Japanese market at the 360's launch, but beyond a few bursts of above average sales when certain games have come out, it doesn't sell well at all. Last I heard, it was getting outsold by the PS2 on a weekly basis. Japan is Nintendo and Sony's home turf. Microsoft needs to do more than throw money at Japanese developers to make Japanese games that Japanese people would like if they want to see any of their consoles become competitive in that market outside of niche genres like bullet hell shooters.

In other words there weren't any hentai/dating sims on the xbox consoles.

@Sooty said:

Nobody hates the Vita, it's just a rough start to a new console...this happens quite often. Look at the 3DS, that didn't sell great to begin with. (anywhere for that matter)

I hate the Vita. Who needs a handhheld anymore? Get off my lawn!

@Sooty said:

Nobody hates the Vita, it's just a rough start to a new console...this happens quite often. Look at the 3DS, that didn't sell great to begin with. (anywhere for that matter)

I hate the Vita. Who needs a handhheld anymore? Get off my lawn!

@Sammo21: Well yeah my main complaint is that it's not meant for pockets. As someone who hates carrying bags (backpacks make me look too much like a student, man purses just aren't my style), being able to fit into a pocket comfortably is key.

I'm still gonna get a Vita when Persona 4 comes out, but I doubt I'll actually take it anywhere, unless it's a long trip and I'll be away from my consoles and things.

@MikkaQ: I just took my Ps Vita out of my bag and have been walking around the office with it in my pocket. Not bad at all, actually and it definitely doesn't take up most of my pockets rooms. Of course I am in black dress style pants for work and not skinny jeans or something.

@Turambar: But... But... But...

@ShadowSkill11 said:

They have little hands! For years they have been able to laugh at the westerners hand cramping from trying to hold dualshock controllers and PSP's. Now that wee have a system worthy of taking up the full range of good ol' western finger range we have the last laugh!

...or not.

nah vita still cramps up my hand....

@Sammo21 said:

@MikkaQ: I just took my Ps Vita out of my bag and have been walking around the office with it in my pocket. Not bad at all, actually and it definitely doesn't take up most of my pockets rooms. Of course I am in black dress style pants for work and not skinny jeans or something.

Hahaha yeah I wear jeans daily so... it'll be a tad bulgy and uncomfortable over a period of time. I had to stop using a wallet for that same reason, once. Anyway that's just me being nitpicky about practicality. It's obviously a very portable system, but as the (silly) original post claims, it is a little big if you're used to the smaller PSP to hold in your hands. I found it very comfortable to actually hold, but my hands are large.

@Turambar: I know, but from anecdotal evidence, it is one of the few titles the Xbox 360 has that has done fairly well in Japan (and has sold gangbusters DLC-wise). Then again, it might be wise to ignore stuff like Dream C Club.