As dismal numbers for the Xbox 360’s Japanese release were announced, hundreds of people across the United States stood in long lines over the weekend hoping to be one of the lucky ones to bring a new system home.
This brings up some interesting questions. Why are Americans so hot to get this game system and why are Japanese turning the cold shoulder to the new release?
Perhaps it has something to do with the impending PS3 release. Or maybe it's the timing of the Japanese release, weeks after the North American debut. This gave gamers time to report glitches in the system, which may have cooled the desires for Japanese consumers to purchase the consoles before issues were resolved.
It's possible Americans are more willing to wade through the glitches to be among “the first” to own the system and check out the new games. But whatever the case, the two markets are as different as night and day.
According to GameShout, a market research company reported that less than 44,000 consoles sold during the game system’s first few days in Japan. This is compared to the 2002 launch of the original Xbox, which sold more than 100,000 units.
In stark contrast, lines of people gathered over the weekend, braving cold weather and almost certain disappointment to get their hands on any consoles available in North America. Reports from across America said some people stood in lines for more than 20 hours and even paid hundreds to purchase vouchers for the console from others standing in line – before paying the ticket price for the gaming system.
GameShout reported that one Best Buy in Orlando, Florida, received only 14 units to serve a metropolitan market. Another store had more than 100 people in line for an available 14 units.
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