470°

Microsoft Japan “Committed” to Release Xbox One in Sony and Nintendo’s Turf in 2014

Microsoft Japan just held its Xbox 360 end of the year informal party in Tokyo, and Xbox Division General Manager Takashi Sensui was in attendance. During a brief speech he said that the company is “committed” to release the Xbox One in the country in 2014, which is a relief considering that the web has been quite rife with rumors about delays of the console in markets much nearer to Microsoft’s core target than Japan.

Read Full Story >>
dualshockers.com
Funky Town_TX3768d ago

I agree 100%. Why waste time and money on Japan? For the last 12 plus years they have shown that they do not want xbox. Now M$ will waste millions on a sh8t JRPG that no one will buy. M$ will never learn.

Concertoine3768d ago

To be fair they dont invest in shit stuff for japan. Blue dragon and lost odyssey were good games. And rumor says one of the exclusives they got for xbone is being made by platinum games.

zeal0us3768d ago

Why waste time and money on Japan? Well because everyone knows third time's the charm.

Seriously though MS will have even a harder time this go around. The X1 is priced higher than the PS4 and WiiU. Most of those X1 TV apps and features are appealing to some people in the West. Unless MS figure out a to make them Japan-centric, I don't see those apps and features appealing to them either.

MS need to appeal to more local Japanese developers not just the big developers like SE,Capcom,Namco and Tecmo.

Eonjay3768d ago

Customer service on Xbox in Japan must be a breeze.

Magicite3768d ago

About JRPG you are wrong! They actually made great JRPG this gen - Lost Odyssey and probably Blue Dragon too.
Im not a Xbox fan but even here I cannot disagree with facts which speak good towards MS.

mikeslemonade3768d ago

Lost Odyssey is one of the better JRPGs last generation. It's better than FFXIII.

However it's not only the X1 system, it's also the consumers in Japan just have bad taste. They continue to play DS, PSP, and Wii.

dedicatedtogamers3768d ago (Edited 3768d ago )

Microsoft seems to be giving up on every single region in the world with Xbox One except for USA + UK (based on their advertisement and their focus on apps that don't work anywhere except US and UK).

I would not be surprised to see a similar "who cares?" attitude toward Japan from them.

mcstorm3768d ago

I think it will be interesting this time around to see if Microsoft can improve there number there over the last Xbox. I think it will also be interesting to see the ps4 and wiiu numbers at the end of next year too as Japan seems to be going down the handheld rout.

HelpfulGamer3768d ago

Let Microsoft spend billions making Japanese Game for Xbox, because it also helps Japanese Developer make better games for Playstation.

ABizzel13768d ago

They have to simply because the Xbox 360 has a small audience there. I say send a couple hundred thousands (200k), and call it a year. Then send another 200k throughout each of the following years, until the end of the generation (2020 IMO).

Don't focus on Japan, focus on NA, EU, and China.

HardcoreDaBoss3768d ago

they are trying though and thats good I guess.. But I agree Its not going to do good at all.. Japan buys sony and nintendo and thats just facts.. I think the will waste too much money for nothing.. at least they try? good luck to them

kreate3768d ago (Edited 3768d ago )

blue dragon is boring. lost odyssey is hard to get into. regardless.

Microsoft did a great job in the early days of the xbox360 in japan. inifinite undiscovery, last remnant, idol master, ace combat. also securing timed exclusive games like tales of vesp, star ocean, eternal sonata.

software wise Microsoft had japan. hardwarewise the console kinda sucked (RROD), the controller was not a popular controller in the hands of Asians, and charging for xbox live was considered ridiculous at the time since their heavy hitters were mostly single player games.

but the 360 is still Microsoft's most successful console so far. I saw the 360 in quite a few animes over the ps3.

it was all fine and dandy until the release of the metal gear solid 4 on the ps3. than all hell broke loose for the 360 and it was all downhill from there.

Microsoft failed to secure anymore exclusives in japan. no more games were being pumped out in japan. and the last popular game idol master lost its exclusivity.

with whispers of previous xbox exclusive games coming out on the ps3 with extra content.

all the Japanese advertisement stopped. as Microsoft was dealing with the RROD epidemic, they also started downsizing their studios and game investing power. microsoft game studios changed to microsoft studios. shifted remaining resources to America.

looking at the sales and popularity of the Nintendo wii, microsoft changed focus.

while sony shifted all their resources from the ps2/psp to the ps3, announcing lots of new games and releasing triple AAA titles all the way to the present time putting microsoft to shame.

in the end.
not only did microsoft lose japan but pretty much the entire global sales vs sony and Nintendo.

if they want to succeed in japan, they need to repeat what they did in japan between 2005-2008 and NOT repeat all those failing moves. but looking at the current xbox one. as its more of a tv box compared to the 360, I doubt its going to do anything in japan or any Asian countries for that matter. unless they surprise everyone with multiple Japanese centric triple AAA titles and sony/Nintendo just sits there doing nothing.

they're only hope is America.
if they lose America. than all is lost.

Prime1573768d ago (Edited 3768d ago )

I agree with you from the fact of how the culture thinks and behaves..

But Microsoft sees the value in TRYING to break ground. In terms of how much a market spends on video games it goes (usd), 1) North America is first followed by either Japan or uk. Here are just a few resources.

http://www.mapsofworld.com/...

http://www.whichcountry.co/...

Edit: I tried to link 2 more resources but it's not easy from this phone... just search it if you want more of the biggest markets (Brazil and China and nk are on the rise). Sorry I couldn't link more.

Gamer19823767d ago

To conquer Japan you need to invest in new 1st party exclusives instead of 3rd party dlc. Japanese just not interested in MGS exclusive DLC. you won't conquer them that easy like you did with the USA. They are not that casual they unlike the US actually like top quality made games and don't care about exclusive DLC more than the actual games.

+ Show (10) more repliesLast reply 3767d ago
Retroman3768d ago

Took the words right out of my mouth after reading article title.

Good luck with that MS you'll need more than a fortune cookie.

amiga-man3768d ago

The Xbox won't make a dent in the PS4s domination in Japan, the market belongs to Nintendo and Sony, but by all means M$ waste your money trying.

XiSasukeUchiha3768d ago

MS just Give up on Japan it's best save your resources and money

malokevi3768d ago Show
ZombieKiller3768d ago

Well they don't need luck with the release....

It's the sales they need luck with over there! ESPECIALLY with PS4 being the way it is now.

DOMINATION!

Magicite3768d ago

In this case even luck wont help. PS4 already dominates Japan without even yet being released.

avengers19783768d ago

When's the last time they even sold a 1000 units in a week in japan. MS should save those consoles for territories they might actual sell in

3-4-53768d ago

Just like Bill was committed to Hilary.

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 3767d ago
DarkZane3768d ago

When will Microsoft learn? They're so irrelevant in Japan that not releasing there would be the same.

zeal0us3768d ago

Well first Microsoft need to learn how to appeal to Japan. For the last two generation they have been using the same tactic they used for their Western audience. What works in one area doesn't necessarily mean it work in another.

They need more than cutesy anime mascot and special promotions to appeal to them.

Aclay3768d ago (Edited 3768d ago )

If anything, I think it's important for Microsoft to sell the X1 in Japan to show Japanese developers & publishers that they at least acknowledge Japan's audience despite the fact that Xbox hasn't sold well over there.

I don't think Microsoft would be in good standing with some Japanese developers/publishers in the future if they didn't support to sell their own system over there.

I mean who knows, Microsoft pulling the plug on Japan and not selling the X1 over there could cause some Japanese devs to not develop games for the X1, and that wouldn't be good for MS, especially if it were one of the big gaming companies in Japan like Konami or Square.

Belking3768d ago

It doesn't even matter with japan anymore. The japaneses have shown that they are into handheld games more. The ps3 didn't even have that much success there compared to the US. Ms just needs to make a little improvement there. They sold over 80 million consoles and japan played a very small contribution to that.

Funky Town_TX3768d ago

I bet they loose money releasing in Japan.

DigitalRaptor3768d ago (Edited 3768d ago )

Watch PS4 be a success in Japan.

PS3 was a success there, Wii was a success there. Handhelds are larger successes than handhelds, obviously, but just because Xbox isn't relevant in Japan, and the Wii U isn't doing that well anywhere - doesn't mean consoles aren't relevant in Japan.

hellzsupernova3768d ago

You are correct Sony has sold through two pre order placements for japan already playstation 4 will be successful in japan

Theyellowflash303768d ago

DigitalRapter

The Wii U outsold the PS3 in its first year on market.

The Wii U has outsold the PS3 in japan for the past couple months.

The PS3 sold less than 10 million units in 7 years on the market.That is not great. Wii U is currently on track to top PS3 lifetime sales, in a shorter amount of time in Japan.

Wii U sales have risen dramatically since November.

GarrusVakarian3768d ago (Edited 3768d ago )

PS4 dominates in Japan, MS doesn't stand a chance. Japan would never let another a foreign console dominate in their home country like the PS4 does in the US.

MS might as well just stop focusing any of their money/attention in Japan, they don't want what MS has to offer.

Ricegum3768d ago

Haha. Another one of Belking's terrible comments. Yay.

tee_bag2423768d ago

So many disagree's yet you speak truth. But I live in Japan so what would I know either right!

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3768d ago
mmj3768d ago

They should be committed to a mental health clinic for even bothering, Japan simply doesn't want Xbox.

2pacalypsenow3768d ago

who cares the xbox 360 was no match , what makes them think the xbox 1 will?

Show all comments (105)
70°

Disney Dreamlight Valley teases part two of paid expansion

Disney Dreamlight Valley devs have officially teased the second part of the paid expansion titled The Spark of Imagination.

70°

Best Stardew Valley Farm Names – 100 Funny, Nerdy, Cute Ideas and More

Starting out a new farm, but need help choosing a name? Check out this article for a 100 farm name ides for Stardew Valley.

190°

Bethesda Needs to Reduce the Gaps Between New Fallout and Elder Scrolls Releases

Waiting a decade for new instalments in franchises as massive as Fallout and Elder Scrolls feels like a waste.

Read Full Story >>
gamingbolt.com
-Foxtrot13h ago

Microsoft have Obsidian but I feel it's Bethesda who just don't want to play ball as they've always said they want to do it themselves.

Once MS bought Zenimax in 2020 they should have put the Outer Worlds 2 on the back burner, allow Bethesda to finish off its own Space RPG with Starfield (despite totally different tone why have two in your first party portfolio with two developers who's gameplay is a tad similar) and got Obsidian for one of their projects to make a spiritual successor to New Vegas.

When the Elder Scrolls VI is finished Bethesda can then onto the main numbered Fallout 5 themselves.

The Outer Worlds 2 started development in 2019 so putting it on the back burner wouldn't have been the end of the world, they'd have always come back to it once Fallout was done and it would have been nicely spaced out from Starfields release once they had most likely stopped supporting it and all the expansions were released.

If they did this back in 2020 when they bought Zenimax and the game had a good, steady 4 - 5 years development, you might have seen it release in 2025.

We are literally going to be waiting until 2030 at the very earliest for Fallout 5 and all they seem bothered about is pushing Fallout 76.

RaidenBlack11h ago(Edited 11h ago)

Its not just only Todd not playing ball.
Obsidian have made a name for themselves in delivering stellar RPGs, but most famous once have always been sequels/spin-offs to borrowed IPs like KOTOR 2, Neverwinter Nights 2, Fallout: New Vegas, Stick of Truth etc.
Obsidian wants to invest more in their own original IPs like Outer Worlds or Pillars of Eternity with Avowed.
Similar to what Bluepoint & inXile wants to do or Kojima is doing (i.e not involving anymore in Konami's IPs).
So yea, even if New Vegas has the most votes from 3D Fallout fans, Obsidian just wants to do their own thing, like any aspiring dev studio and MS is likely currently respecting that.
But a future Fallout game from Obsidian will surely happen. Founder Feargus Urquhart has already stated an year ago that they're eager to make a new Fallout game with Bethesda, New Vegas 2 or otherwise. Urquhart was the director of the very first 1995's Fallout game after all.
And don't forget Brian Fargo and his studio inXile, as Brian Fargo was the director of Fallout's 1988 predecessor: Wasteland

KyRo7h ago(Edited 7h ago)

Obsidian should take over the FO IP. They're do far better with it than Bethesda who hasn't made a great game for almost 15 years

RaidenBlack1h ago(Edited 1h ago)

@KyRo
So, by 15 years, you mean Fallout 3 was the last great game Bethesda made?
You don't consider Skyrim a good game, which came out 13 years ago?
I'd consider Fallout 4 a pretty decent game as well. It's Story & RPG elements were a bit downgrade from New Vegas but the exploration and shooting on the other hand, were upgrades.
FO76 was disappointing and Starfield could've been better at launch I'll agree.

Duke197h ago(Edited 7h ago)

I disagree. Part of these games is the support for the mod community. If they move to releasing a "next game" every 2 or 3 years, the modding support plummets and the franchises turn into just another run of the mill RPG.

Make the games good enough to withstand the test of time, to keep people coming back to them and expanding on them with mod support.

--Onilink--4h ago(Edited 4h ago)

I dont think anyone is saying they need to come out every 2 years (not to mention almost no game is released that quickly anymore)

By the time Fallout 5 comes out, it will be more than 15 years since Fallout 4 came out (same with ES6 coming out 15 years after Skyrim). Even if you want to use F76 as the metric for the most recent release, that one came out in 2018. It will be a miracle if F5 comes out before 2030

The point is that for a studio that doesnt seem to operate with multiple teams doing several projects at once, that their projects normally take 4-5 years as a minimum, and that now they even added Starfield to the rotation, it becomes a 15+ years waiting period between releases for each series, which doesnt make sense. Imagine that Nintendo only released a mainline Mario or Zelda game every 15 years…

They either need to start developing more than 1 project at a time, let someone else take a crack at one of the IPs or significantly reduce their development times

Duke193h ago(Edited 3h ago)

Why should someone else take a crack at one of the IPs? Look at what happened to Final Fantasy as a recent example - there is pretty clear FF fatigue setting in because they are now pumping out titles in the franchise every few years. Pumping out more games faster doesn't always make a series better.

There are plenty of options to make new games, not just create more titles in the same universe at a faster pace.

-Foxtrot56m ago

"Why should someone else take a crack at one of the IPs"

He's literally just told you why

We're waiting like 15 years before a sequel comes out, it's insane

Skyrim came out in 2011, the next game is expected to come out in 2027 at the earliest so that's 16 years apart while Fallout 4 came out in 2015 and might not release until 2031, again 16 years.

We're fine with Bethesda trying new things and doing new IPs like Starfield but adding a new game to the cycle now means a bigger wait. Also Starfield didn't meet most peoples expectations, can you imagine waiting 15 years or so for a sequel and it's disappointing? It would feel even worse because you would have to wait another 15 years to see if they manage to come back from it.

They need to give it to another developer, we don't need main numbered titles but a spin off of Fallout and Elder Scrolls should be cycled in between the long gaps of the main releases.

Once again you are making out people want these games as quick as possible when all we want is a standard development time of at least 4 years or so rather than waiting 15.

mandf4h ago

Yeah I’m going to say it, who cares about the modding community when making a game? Half the time developers only tolerate modders because they fix there game for them.

Skuletor6h ago

Yeah, let's all advocate for smaller gaps between series' releases, then we'll probably get headlines about how the series have dropped in quality and they could have benefited from more time in the oven. Let them cook.

SimpleSlave5h ago

"how the series have dropped in quality and they could have benefited from more time in the oven" So every Bethesda game then? Got it.

Listen, I would agree if this was about From Software or something, but Bethesda?

🤣

C'mon now. What timeline are you from?

Skuletor3h ago

Think about it, they're already bug filled messes on their current schedule, can you imagine how much worse it would be if they rushed things?

-Foxtrot53m ago

@Skuletor

Who's saying to rush the releases? No one is saying that...

People just don't want to be waiting 15 years for a sequel, they aren't working on the game for that long, you do realise that right? The issue isn't coming down to them working on the game and us "rushing them", it's the fact they are working on other games like Starfield now meaning bigger gaps before they even get started on them.

I bet you any more Elder Scrolls VI only entered full development last year when Starfield was finished despite being announced in 2018.

Duke193h ago

I mean you aren't wrong. People are going to complain about anything

isarai5h ago

Hows about you focus on quality, just a thought 🤷‍♂️

Sciurus_vulgaris4h ago

Bethesda [or Microsoft] would have to reallocate internal and external studios towards fallout and elder scrolls titles. Bethesda has the issue of developing 2 big IPs that are large RPGs on rotation. If you want more Fallout and Elder Scrolls, development will have to be outsourced.

Show all comments (22)