Xbox big wig Shane Kim has this week admitted that the Xbox 360 is likely to continue to suffer in Japan, failing to convert new gamers while the PS3 and particularly the Wii climb.

Kim tells Kikizo that Microsoft's attempts to crack the Japanese market are in such a poor state that even an exclusive Final Fantasy title might not be enough to reverse the console's fortunes.

"I think there’s just as much precedent that [players] would leave [the franchise]," Kim concedes.

"I mean if I were Square Enix that’s what I’d be worried about, that they would leave Final Fantasy for something else. I know we’re talking about Final Fantasy here, but you really have to question, is it really enough to overcome people’s reservations about Xbox 360 in Japan? I don’t know. But I know that it would have to be a heck of a lot of money and it would be very risky to do that."

The boss adds that any Japanese success is likely to be inspired by Western victories, rather than local initiatives, the console maker promising a more global approach; admitting that regional pushes have failed in Japan.

More soon.

By Luke Guttridge

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