Heavy Japanese Support for Xbox 2

Gamasutra has word that there are already several Japanese game development studios and designers lining up to create titles for the Xbox 2 system. Yoshiki Okamoto, a former producer at Capcom, is quoted in the article as being surprised at the response the new console is getting. From the article: "I've been hearing that some other designers will also be joining. There are a lot of surprises. I find myself saying: 'What, this development studio!? This game!? These people!?'" Commentary on the upcoming console's Japanese future also available at GamesIndustry.biz. Update: 04/07 03:18 GMT by Z : The translations from the original source came from Gamespot.com.

MistWalker

[jdubois79]

In the May issue of FamitsuXbox (comes out in April, oddly enough), there's a huge article with 3 top game designers about their new studios that are exclusive to the xbox2.

One of designers is Sawaguchi, who was the brains behind the Final Fantasy series, and who is currently heading his own studio with other FF vetrans.

He's apparently working on two different RPG titles for the xbox2. One is a very traditional RPG thingy, while the other deals with a main character who is over the hill and who has adventure come looking for him.

Re:Unexpected!

[ZephyrXero]

"Japanese developer support for the XB2 does not necessarily mean Japanese popular support. Games may sell systems initially..."

If there are lots of good games, people will buy the system. The games are always what decides whether a console is a winner or not. The main problem with the Xbox in Japan is that 90% of it's games are American or European and apparently a large portion of Japanese gamers only like Japanese games. You have to also take into account that the Japanese market is not as big as it used to be, their numbers have been dwendling while both American gamers and game developers have been growing and growing...

Re:Wait, What?

[DeadScreenSky]

I can't think of a single game for the system made in Japan that was console exclusive or playable.

Seriously? I take it you don't follow modern console gaming much (which is okay of course). I'll help you out:
Panzer Dragoon Orta
Jet Set Radio Future
GUNVALKYRIE
Outrun 2
Dead or Alive 3
Dead or Alive Extreme Beach Volleyball
Ninja Gaiden
Dead or Alive Ultimate
Otogi
Otogi 2
Metal Wolf
Phantom Crash
Breakdown
Shin Megami Tensei NINE
Phantom Dust (by MS Games Japan, and one of the best games ever made for my money - I expect big things from them next-gen)
Crazy Taxi 3
Crimson Seas
Daisenryaku VII
Steel Batallion/Tekki
Dino Crisis 3
Wreckless
Genma Onimusha
House of the Dead III

I left out exclusive games that are widely considered to be poor (Blinx, Sneakers) and I'm sure I missed some that should be on the list. I also ignored Japanese games that are exclusively released on the Xbox in specific markets like America (ex: Shenmue II, Metal Slug 3, Guilty Gear XX#Reload, etc.). Xbox certainly does not have as many Japanese exclusives as the PS2 has, but some of the best games this generation are Xbox exclusives from Japanese developers.