Microsoft delays Japanese Xbox launch until 2002
Published: 28 Aug 2001 09:54 BST
On Monday, Microsoft held its Xbox Conference 2001 Summer, where it revealed its launch plans for the Xbox console in Japan. The head of Microsoft's Xbox division, Hirohisa Ohura, hosted the company's first Japanese press conference since last spring's Tokyo Game Show. As speculated, the company will delay the system's launch in Japan, with the official release date now set for 22 February, 2002. An AV pack, a power supply, and a single controller will be included with the package. No pricing has been announced at this point.
On the stage screen, a projected timeline was shown, beginning with August, when the final XDK (Xbox development kits) are distributed, followed by October, which marks the introduction of playable titles at the Tokyo Game Show 2001 Fall, and lastly November, which highlighted the system's North American release. During the Q&A session following the conference, the assembled executives offered up a few more details. The DVD remote, which allows for viewing DVD movies, will be released at the system's launch, although the price has yet to be determined. As for software, a price range of 6,800 yen has been decided upon.
The Xbox launch in North America on 8 November is expected to have between 15 and 20 titles, while in Japan, the console will launch with between 12 and 20 games. The UK launch is still scheduled for March 2002.
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