Website BusyDizzys has found a few problems with the photographs of microsofts "successful" launch of its kinect in japan, not only have they published details of one of the people hired to stand in line but also photos of the kinect launch at other stores showing no people at all, so it would seem that ms had carefully staged managed its launch with the emphisis on "staged" Microsoft’s Japanese launch of Kinect has predictably turned into a marketing farce of epic proportions.

One eager gamer, Microsoft would have people believe, queued for hours to be the first in line for the device as “I wanted to be the first in Japan to get one!”

Unfortunately, 2ch recognised the man from a previous “this product is so amazing people are queuing all night for it” shill piece – that time the same man was interviewed for the Japanese release of the iPhone, obligingly saying “Well, it’s a worldwide thing isn’t it? You just have to ride the big wave!”

He also helped with manufacturing a sense of popularity on the launch of the iPad

For this he became known as “Big Wave.” In fact, on his homepage he identifies himself as “Butch,” and helpfully lists his occupation as “sakura” – i.e. rent-a-crowd

Just how much of the queue outside Yodobashi Camera was hired for the benefit of cameras is not clear, though the PR stunt soon backfired as 2ch and non-corporate gaming sites began to ridicule Microsoft for having to go to such lengths – although TV and gaming rags obediently reported a packed launch event in central Akihabara.

http://www.maxconsole.net/content.php?43092-MS-caught-faking-Japanese-Kinect-launch-success

Posted: Nov 21, 2010 3:33 pm