I hate to say I told you so but… 私はそう言った ( Translation = I SO told you so).
While there are many different economic systems in place around the world (from capitalism to socialism and so on), the principals of supply vs. demand are fairly universal. If I possess an item you want, the demand is in my favor. Therefore, establishing some kind of fair-trade agreement between the two of us should be pretty straight forward. If more than one person desires what I have, the demand only continues to go up and up (thus improving my ability to negotiate). On the flip side of that coin, if supply far outweighs demand, its value is obviously diminished.
You see? I just gave you a very simple economics lesson in the time it takes to microwave a frozen burrito. Now I’m no professor or business analyst, but I think I more or less hit the nail on the head. Likewise, I’m sure most CheatCC readers are of above average intelligence, meaning this is not a concept too difficult for you to grasp. So the question becomes, if I get it…and you get it…why doesn’t Microsoft get it? The One has struggled significantly during its first year in the States, failing to capture the hearts and minds of those here at home. In fact, the dominance Sony has carved-out over the last 12 months has been so impactful, it’s left some wondering if Microsoft even has a future in the next-gen console race.
And if that wasn’t bad enough, now comes yet another blotch on Microsoft’s already abysmal report card, in the form of a failed Japanese roll-out (which set a record for worst launch in almost two decades).
With the Far East beginning to open itself up to western retail products (China also just dropped a 14 year ban) Microsoft immediately set its sight on Japan. However, that fairy tale quickly turned sour, as embarrassing images of non-existent lines outside retailers showcased how utterly uninterested foreign gamers were with our little green machine. After a four day live period, it’s reported they were barely able to clear 20,000 units sold. A failure by all accounts, including that of Japan boss Takashi Sensui. In a recent interview, Sensui expressed their dissatisfaction with “…the current sales state.” He states Microsoft ”hopes to continue through taking user feedback and improving the Xbox One and offering content that everyone can enjoy. We are also aware that reaching out to let more people know about the Xbox One is vital. However, the current console generation has become very long. We hope to lay out a long-term vision and to focus on publicity for our console. Taking the first step was very important, and as for how to permeate the market from here, we hope to continue to do our best.”
So let’s refer back to our notes shall we? Earlier we established that principals of supply and demand only work when your goods or services appeal to a mass consumer base. Did Microsoft look at the U.S. sales data from 2013-14 and somehow project Japan would result in a completely different outcome revenue-wise? What ass-backwards executive at their corporate office thought, “Hey, we can’t even sell our American-made system in our own backyard…but I’ll bet Japan would be a real cash-cow!” Never mind the fact that your competition, who’s been absolutely destroying you on every front, calls this region of the world home. To me, I equate this strategy to getting the shit kicked out of you in a bar fight, then deciding the smart move is to also fight the much larger bouncer. Nothing changes; you’re just going to get your ass handed to you a second time. And that’s what happened here. While Phil Spencer keeps touting the importance of “supporting the Japanese market,” he’d do well to first get his own house in order. Their ship is sinking faster each day, so the last thing they need is more cargo weighing them down.
To be honest, stuff like this is why I question the competency (and future) of those wearing the Team Xbox jersey. I’m getting a little scared my friends. Maybe you should be too.