Microsoft Reveals Japanese Xbox 360 Software Support

At a press conference held in Japan, Microsoft has announced a full list of more than 50 Japanese publishers developing titles for its forthcoming Xbox 360 console, which is now confirmed for a 2005 release in Japan, according to Peter Moore. Particularly notable publishers signing up for support for Xbox 360 include Capcom, Konami, Namco, and Tecmo Ltd., among others, and Moore, corporate vice president of Worldwide Marketing and Publishing for Xbox at Microsoft, commented of the announcements: "Japan is one of the most important video game markets in the world and is a key pillar of our global strategy for Xbox 360. Our deep commitment to the Japanese market is evident in the exciting and unprecedented alliances we've forged with Japan's most talented and beloved game developers." Of the above-mentioned major Japanese publishers, Capcom has signed on to make Biohazard 5 (Resident Evil 5) for the Xbox 360, as well as the previously-announced, also zombie-themed Dead Rising. For its part, Konami has revealed that it will release much-beloved soccer title Winning Eleven, all-female wrestling game sequel Rumble Roses XX and the Japanese team-licensed Pro Baseball Spirits for Microsoft's next-gen console, and Namco has confirmed Ridge Racer 6, the first in the specifically-named series to appear on a Microsoft console, as well as the already-known Frame City Killer, a title named Love Football, and an as-yet un-named RPG. Finally, Tecmo, a long-term Microsoft supporter with the recent Xbox exclusivity for the Dead Or Alive series, continues its heavy support with Dead or Alive 4, Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball 2, the mysterious Dead or Alive Code: Cronus, and a new title named Project Progressive. In addition, several other companies made notable public gestures of support toward the Xbox 360. "Bandai is developing three exclusive games for Xbox 360, one of which is Mobile Suit Gundam, a fully networked game that utilizes the Xbox Live infrastructure", commented Shin Unozawa, president of the game division of Bandai Co. Ltd. Other Japan-centric announcements included Banpresto's confirmation of a Super Robot Wars title for Xbox 360, as well as a new Tokyo Highway Battle Xbox 360 game from Genki, Wrestle Kingdom from Yukes, and other un-named titles from Cavia, Idea Factory, Jaleco, Marvelous Interactive, Spike, and Treasure, presenting an overall much more promising start to the Xbox 360's Japanese fortunes than the relatively undersupported original Xbox.