Mizuguchi, Okamoto nabbed in Xbox Next dev deal

No_Style · Mar 3, 2005, 12:01 AM

Here in the states, the Xbox has proven its mettle. Gamers are enthusiastic about Xbox Live and sales of the hardware have picked up speed in recent months. But in Japan, the machine is a flop. Since the unit's Japanese launch in 2002, the software-giant-turned-console-maker Microsoft has sold 463,000 units, according to Enterbrain, a local tracking company in Japan. As reported in the Wall Street Journal earlier this week, that figure compares with 3.7 million units of Nintendo's current-generation console, the GameCube, and over 17 million units of Sony's market leader, PlayStation 2.

But news today out of Redmond suggests Microsoft is getting ready to fight back in the next-gen war that will see PlayStation 3, GameCube 2, and Xbox Next square off later this year, or at the latest, next year.

To that end, Microsoft today confirmed that it had entered into two separate agreements with Yoshiki Okamoto, president and CEO of Game Republic Inc., and Tetsuya Mizuguchi (shown, above), chief creative officer and producer of Q Entertainment Inc., for an unspecified number of exclusive Xbox Next games. Neither deal prevents the developers from working with other companies or on other platforms. No additional details were revealed in today's announcement.
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Read More/Source: GameSpot

No_Style · Mar 3, 2005, 12:03 AM

Hmm... Interesting news indeed.

Perhaps now the X-Box will be a more rounded system, game wise. I never did like the lacking of Jap games on the X-Box on this generation. Which is why I prefer the PS2 with its variety and diversity.

Looks like good times ahead for the gamer

BlueMak · Mar 3, 2005, 01:36 AM

Please tell me that Xbox Next is the not official name for the new Xbox! It makes me wanna puke. Seriously, I find it irritating.

WaltC · Mar 3, 2005, 03:50 PM

World-wide hasn't the xBox sold ~12 million or so...? Low sales in Japan, when compared to native Japanese products, are not surprising...

Whether it's cars or computers the Japanese are fiercely nationalistic in their buying habits, and then there are the language/cultural differences to consider as well. It's very difficult for Western companies to outshine or outsell local Japanese corporations inside Japan.

Mar 3, 2005, 12:01 AM	#1
No_Style Styleless Wonder Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 6,034 Rep Power: 0	Mizuguchi, Okamoto nabbed in Xbox Next dev deal Here in the states, the Xbox has proven its mettle. Gamers are enthusiastic about Xbox Live and sales of the hardware have picked up speed in recent months. But in Japan, the machine is a flop. Since the unit's Japanese launch in 2002, the software-giant-turned-console-maker Microsoft has sold 463,000 units, according to Enterbrain, a local tracking company in Japan. As reported in the Wall Street Journal earlier this week, that figure compares with 3.7 million units of Nintendo's current-generation console, the GameCube, and over 17 million units of Sony's market leader, PlayStation 2. But news today out of Redmond suggests Microsoft is getting ready to fight back in the next-gen war that will see PlayStation 3, GameCube 2, and Xbox Next square off later this year, or at the latest, next year. To that end, Microsoft today confirmed that it had entered into two separate agreements with Yoshiki Okamoto, president and CEO of Game Republic Inc., and Tetsuya Mizuguchi (shown, above), chief creative officer and producer of Q Entertainment Inc., for an unspecified number of exclusive Xbox Next games. Neither deal prevents the developers from working with other companies or on other platforms. No additional details were revealed in today's announcement. _______________ Read More/Source: GameSpot __________________ "The Best Style Is No Style" Specifications Here

Mar 3, 2005, 12:03 AM	Thread Starter #2
No_Style Styleless Wonder Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 6,034 Rep Power: 0	Hmm... Interesting news indeed. Perhaps now the X-Box will be a more rounded system, game wise. I never did like the lacking of Jap games on the X-Box on this generation. Which is why I prefer the PS2 with its variety and diversity. Looks like good times ahead for the gamer __________________ "The Best Style Is No Style" Specifications Here

Mar 3, 2005, 01:36 AM	#3
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,483 Rep Power: 349 System Specs	Please tell me that Xbox Next is the not official name for the new Xbox! It makes me wanna puke. Seriously, I find it irritating. __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

Mar 3, 2005, 03:50 PM	#4
WaltC DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: May 2003 Location: Deep in Martian soil where it's warm and the air is good Posts: 245 Rep Power: 0	World-wide hasn't the xBox sold ~12 million or so...? Low sales in Japan, when compared to native Japanese products, are not surprising... Whether it's cars or computers the Japanese are fiercely nationalistic in their buying habits, and then there are the language/cultural differences to consider as well. It's very difficult for Western companies to outshine or outsell local Japanese corporations inside Japan.