If anecdotal reports are to be believed, Gears of War is defying all common sense and industry wisdom and getting Japanese gamers to buy up all the stock of a gory American style shooter.
Kotaku has written up a post about crowds pouring into stores to demo Gears and at least one well-known Japanese retailer selling out of the Epic game.
One story does not a blockbuster make, but the rumblings could be the tip of the iceberg. Of course, it would not be hard to sell out of a title if retailers ordered very few copies with the thought that few buyers would bite.
It is widely seen as one of the best games in recent memory, but I never expected the RPG nation to fall for it. Some have suggested that huge international sales numbers have triggered Japanese interest in the game. If Gears does, in fact, sell out across Japan, I suggest Microsoft send a special team in black suits to take blood samples and study the phenomenon closely.
