Xbox 360 promises to win over Japan

News - New war cry from Japanese chief...

Japanese Xbox chief Yoshihiro Maruyama has stated publicly in conversation with the Japanese media that the Xbox 360 will launch in Japan this December, a few weeks after the expected debut in North America and Europe. A firm date wasn't offered, but the former Square executive is very upbeat on the new console's prospects. Promising that they've learnt from the failure of the current Xbox in this key gaming region, Maruyama countered Sony boss Ken Kutaragi's recent chatter by stating the Xbox 360 will win-over Japan, beating the PS3 on its home turf.

The current-generation console failed miserably to sell in any respectable quantity in Asia, with a lack of games appealing to differing regional tastes blamed for the low numbers. Both Sony and Nintendo out-sold Microsoft in a big way. This time will be different we're promised.. "this time, as well as launching first, we have focused on designing the machine and the games for the Japanese market" rallied Maruyama.

Fighting talk indeed. More next-generation console banter as we get it.