The 360 - Online, Japan, HD-DVD

Lots of tidbits about Microsoft's next-gen console floating around this week. On Monday, the company revealed that almost 60% of 360 owners are now using Xbox Live. GameDaily discusses what is making their setup so dang popular. Major Nelson's Sunday podcast included a lot of details on the 360's approach to HD-DVD. HD Beat has the rundown on what was said, including the inevitable Sony smack-talk. Finally, Gamasutra has a feature on the 360's position in Japan. A group of analysts debate whether or not the system even needs Japan in order to be a success. From this last article:
"I don't think that American gamers are enamored [with] Japanese product because it comes from Japan; rather, I think Americans like good games, regardless of the country of origin. Microsoft doesn't need Japanese development to succeed in the U.S.; it needs good games, period."

Hello:

It seems the industry analysts are right in all but one thing: The Japanese market.

Those like us that start their video game passion plays with Nintendo, Atari or Sega's consoles. Who doesn't play Donkey Kong? Or Sonic? or Pac-man? The games mentioned came from the creative minds of Japanese programmers. Even during the 16 bit era, most of the game releases for the Genesis and Super NES are Japanese games.

Even Atari knows the challenges of selling game consoles, and games, to the Japanese market. Microsoft is up to the challenge of making more bucks and taking a piece of the Pie that Sony and Nintendo always share on their beloved Japan.

To appeal the japanese gamers, Microsoft puts some good bets on game developers there to create games that make their 360 notice to this market. Of course, bringing those games to Europe and US put more attention to us consumers. Titles like RPGs and action games are more popular to console users.

Sony and Nintendo's lineup always start with translated versions of their Japan games... and they sell very good those ones in EU and US.

Shortly stated, Microsoft needs the Japanese developers and consumers to bring more, better and higher quality games to us all and compete against the major console manufacturers in a worldwide scale.