Online Xbox has hot date in Japan
C|Net | at | by Mike
U.S. software giant Microsoft said Friday that it will launch an online game service for its Xbox video game machine in Japan in mid-January, firing up competition with its Japanese rivals. "Our goal is to make Xbox the most popular platform to play online games," said Hirohisa Ohura, Microsoft Japan's managing director in charge of Xbox operations. "We believe the service will likely encourage people to buy Xbox."
Microsoft also unveiled five new software titles at the Tokyo Game Show, which kicked off Friday and showcased 18 games, including two online games for Xbox Live. The Japan launch, which was slightly later than expected, will follow the planned debut of the Xbox Live online game service in the United States on Nov. 15, the Xbox game console's first anniversary.