Microsoft stages European, Japanese publicity push for Xbox 360

With the Xbox 360 release dates for Europe and Japan drawing closer, Microsoft appears to be making a concerted effort to capture greater market share in both of these regions.

Microsoft’s X05 Xbox 360 showcase is scheduled to begin in Amsterdam on October 4th. X0 events are traditionally slick, invite-only affairs for journalists and industry leaders, with previous locations including Pierre Cardin’s Bubble House in Cannes, La Isla Magica theme park in Seville and a beach club in Juan-les-Pins. Some are predicting a Halo 3 trailer will be shown at the event, while others believe Microsoft will focus on Perfect Dark Zero and use the Halo hype as a spoiler for Sony’s Spring 2006 PS3 launch.

Japan will also see more of the Xbox 360 over the coming months, with a free lecture entitled “Xbox 360 and HD Entertainment” to be delivered on October 7th at Chu-ou College in Tokyo. The lecture is aimed not only at university students, but at the Japanese public in general. At the event, executive officer of Microsoft Japan Yoshihiro Maruyama will detail Microsoft’s post-launch vision, possibly attempting to boost Japanese interest in Xbox Live online gaming.

The Xbox 360 will also feature prominently at the Osaka Games Festa to be held November 12 - 13. This event will be Microsoft’s last chance to impress Japanese consumers prior to the Xbox 360’s launch, and as such could be considered even more crucial than the recent Tokyo Game Show. Consumers and the media can expect to see and play Xbox 360 games in near-final states at the Festa, giving them an insight into what to expect from the Xbox 360 when the console hits Japanese shelves on December 10 2005.