Kotaku
Call it bad planning. Right now, there is a Microsoft Community event going on. And at the same exact time, Sony is holding a huge PLAYSTATION 3 smorgesboard at Sony Computer Entertainment offices in Tokyo.
It's dusk, and a gaggle of booth companions click clack to the station. The station is a bit of a haul from the Makuhari Messe. The hotel Microsoft picked for this event, more so.
I'm not expecting much. Perhaps, three very sweaty men in headbands.
The lobby. It's empty. Bad piano music is being piped through the hotel. The event is on the third floor, but not even the third floor of the hotel, but the third floor of the annex. The third floor of the hotel is being occupied by what looks like some sort of ice cream social.
I make my way across the skybridge, ask the cloakroom man direction. "Turn right. It's on the right" and doing so, I turn into a troupe of four schoolgirls, still in loose socks and uniforms.
It's rumored that there are companies in Japan that can hire out people to attend weddings and retirement parties. This, I have never encountered, and thus, am inclined to disbelieve it. But, perhaps, these schoolgirls are paid, hired help, if you will.
A director appears in the doorway, and hands the girls the console. They take it. He, being a director, gives them direction. They all say "360 is the best!" in Japanese. He asks them to do it again.
But louder.
Cheapy D from CheapAssGamer.com is wondering about, bitching that there is no booze at the bar. It's all orange juice and ice tea. I ask the bartender about that, and they apologize. No sweat, just curious.
The troupe of teens are near. I poke my head over and put it to them point blank:
"Why are you here?"
One of the schoolgirls says, "There is a, what is it called?"
Her friend picks up, "Decorated."
Me: "Oh, the faceplate contest."
Schoolgirl #1: "Yes."
Me: "You designed faceplates?"
Schoolgirl #2: "Yes, we all did."
Me: "You have Xbox 360s?"
Schoolgirl #3: "Yes."
Me: "Can you show me your faceplates?"
Schoolgirl #2: "Sure."
We make our way over to the faceplate rack. I casually ask one of the troupe why she has an Xbox 360.
"I live in New Zealand for a study aboard. And one of the going away presents I got was an Xbox 360 game."
Oh yeah?
"I didn't have an Xbox. So, I bought one when I got back to Japan."
And the game?
"I don't remember, but it didn't work with the 360 I have."
So wait, you really have Xbox 360s? Like really, really have them?
