In an interview with 1UP, Microsoft Game Studios’ Shane Kim has said decisions like that of Squire Enix to bring FFXIII to Xbox360 will help ”opens doors for us in Japan”.
The Xbox360 hasn’t fared too well in Japan but Kim hopes that this ”step-by-step process” will convince more developers to take notice.
”The Final Fantasy XIII announcement has some beneficial side-effects,” Shane Kim tells 1UP.
”The more games of this nature, and of the Devil May Crys and Resident Evils, that we secure on 360 opens doors for us in Japan, and gets developers over there interested in the 360, so it’s a step-by-step process.”
Sony’s Tretton voiced his ”disappointment” at Squire Enix’s decision to support the Xbox360 console with Final Fantasy. Microsoft’s market penetration in Japan has never really secured a foothold but if more Japanese dev teams like Capcom start gearing up then Sony could start to lose their almost invincible grip.
”Take Capcom for example: they took a chance with us with Dead Rising and Lost Planet, and have had great success, with both of those titles selling over a million units each,” says Kim.
”Japan is obviously a very unique market to crack and gain support in, but I think we’re making good headway with what we’ve accomplished on 360 so far, and we’ll continue to surprise you.”
”Taking franchises that were formerly exclusive to PlayStation 3, and bringing them to Xbox 360 is just as valuable. Titles that have traditionally been big drivers of their success from third-parties, like Grand Theft Auto, Final Fantasy, the list goes on and on now, Devil May Cry, Resident Evil. These are franchises that have never existed on Xbox 360, and in a way it’s like adding exclusive content, because our customers have never had a chance to enjoy these before.”
Click here to read the full interview between Shane Kim and 1UP.
Capcom’s Dead RisingSource: Eurogamer
