Mages' Xbox One Exclusives Cause Extremely Negative Reaction Among Japanese Viewers: 66% Displeased

Yesterday the prominent visual novel developers Mages. and 5pb. announced three Xbox One exclusive (at least for now) visual novels for the Japanese market during a livestream on the popular video portal Nico Nico, but the gamers watching the broadcast didn’t exactly appreciate what they saw.

[pwnsause_returns]

well...No ****...

[Charybdis]

They really don't like that the xb1 has these games as exclusives. Didn't know these games or Dev but surprised that apparently it does seem to be a big deal in Japan. Assumed it just were some graphic novel kinda Japanese indie games or something

[georgeenoob]

Time for y'all Japanese to get an X1.

[Gazondaily]

I think this negative reaction has more to do with the stigma against the Xbox than the games themselves.

MS have such a tough fight against them in Japan. Its like David vs Goliath, except replace David with Stephan Hawking.

[Ripsta7th]

Septic: LMAO at your comparison

[RockmanII7]

Visual Novels are pretty big in Japan, here's a good blog from a while back describing them.

http://n4g.com/user/blogpos...

[DVAcme]

Visual novels are HUGE business in Japan, with titles like the Fate and When they Cry series being classics with even anime adaptations. The outrage stems from it being a mostly PC genre and forcing Japanese gamers to not only have to get a console, but also a console that will underperform in Japan. They'd protest if the games were Sony or Nintendo exclusive too, but nowhere near as vocally or fiercely. To give you an idea, this would be similar to League Of Legends' sequel being announced as a console exclusive, it'd cause massive outrage.

[Docknoss]

Does this remind anyone of Fukushima? Where no one wants radiation but in the end, it breaks down and everyone has it?

[AndrewLB]

So let me get this straight. A room full of Sony fanboys were shown a game they believe should be a PS4 exclusive... and everyone is surprised when they get pi$$y?

Sometimes I just don't understand why people are so hell bent on hating another console that they'd spend time going to an event put on by that company just so they can be fanboys.

But i guess it's in their culture, kinda like how it's more honorable to kill yourself than surrender. (I know this will pi$$ people off, but as they say "the truth hurts")

[Utalkin2me]

@Charybdis

Games you say, roflmao. When it is graphic novels.

[Bigpappy]

All the negative things please say about the U.S. Yet they never do stuff like this. If the games they want are on a system, they just buy that system.

I am sick of people here making excuses for that closed society which exist by selling there product to other countries.

[styferion]

that's likely the case, because VNs usually made for PC or handheld(PSP/Vita), something many fans of the genre should already have, but now they have to invest $400 for these games. Not to mention if future VNs aren't exclusive anymore that'd piss them off..

[Eonjay]

@Charybdis

I think everyone may be reading to much into this. I don't think its about Jealousy at all. The article continue stating that the stream ended with "www" going across the screen... which is like lol or mocking. Maybe they were expecting something else because they get content like this on mobiles.

I think they may have been expecting something more.

[DragonKnight]

@AndrewLB: My god I don't think I've ever read something as stupid as what you just wrote. I mean, I should tell you why you're wrong, but you wouldn't understand it. Your comment is just proof that there's no getting through that skull comprised of Microsoft console parts and pamphlets.

You do understand what Japan is don't you? From a gaming perspective, you at least understand that right? Wow, frickin' wow.

@Bigpappy: Yeah, Japan is the ONLY place that ever does something like this. Totally. /s

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

You might want to get yourself checked, your racism is showing.

[sinspirit]

They hate that they try to move in on a territory where they aren't popular at all and pay off popular developers of their own region to make games for their console. It's just ridiculous. This probably will come back at the "Mages" as well.

[Dir_en_grey]

@AndrewLB
Just like only in 'MuriKKKa where people like you will keep on supporting an inferior product just cause it's made by fellow 'MuriKKKans right? (when it's all made in China anyway)

How about NO, people wanting to support a better product with better quality is not a "culture", it's what sane human beings do you little racist prick.

[VforVideogames]

If they don't like the ps4 why are they going to like xbox one?

[GameDev1]

They do like the PS4, Knack is only released there and it has actually gained some momentum, not as good momentum but shocking for a console with just one game and no Japanese exclusive

Hardware console sales generally just seem to be poor there, Xbox One seems like a no go now but Id rather wait to see until it releases there

[Kribwalker]

Knack only got sales there because it was bundled with the first 350000 consoles sold in japan

[choujij]

Anyone consider the possibility that maybe they just weren't particularly thrilled about the games shown, despite the platform?

[Utalkin2me]

He said games, roflmao. These are not games.

[Mystogan]

Where they mad because they were exclusive?

[Magicite]

first step of x1 flopping in Japan.

[UnHoly_One]

No, unfortunately the first step of XB1 flopping in Japan was taken 13 years ago when an American company decided to make a games console.

They've never had a chance over there.

[XiSasukeUchiha]

@Georgenoob

You be displeased then bro!

[medman]

The xbone has as much chance of selling well in Japan as does a store here in America that opens up shop trying to sell pre-worn, slightly stained underwear to the masses. It's simply an unappealing proposition.

[Mikelarry]

MS clearly sees something we gamers are missing because I still don't understand why waste resources in a market that you know does not like your brand, it all good that you want to try and break into the market but i mean after two very disappointing attempts and the audience is more into mobile gaming why waste all that when you could put them to good use in other regions that would appreciate it but hey more power to them

[OrangePowerz]

They would most likely lose support from Japanese 3rd party devs if they wouldn't launch in Japan. They would question why they should make games for it when the console isn't even released in their market. That's the only reason I see becaude Ms can't be that stupid to think to actually make an impact in Japan.

[ToyboxDX]

@Mikelarry, the answer to your question is simply... M$'s arrogance.

Regardless of whether they actually sell anything, they just want to have a presence in Japan and not felt left out, even if it means losing money there (which they did for the xbox, xbox360 and now the xbone).

To not push their own product in a major country that will sell large quantities of their direct competitor's products is to loose face. And M$ being the arrogance they have always been, will never want that to happen.

So they will still push the xbone in Japan, even if it only sell a few units, even if they know they will loose lots of money (which ironically they have a lot from their OS and Office products), even if there is practically no hope at all.

[Dehnus]

Okay from now on Sony is = $on¥ in my writing. Not because of money problem now, but how they money hatted in the past towards SEGA and Nintendo. They did not only start buying developers including some western ones that since then have been ruined (I still miss you Psygnosis!) they also sold hardware under the cost price, they where one of the firsts to start doing that.

So yeah... fuck $on¥.

-- Signed Nintendo Fanboy who is sick of Ponies

[IcicleTrepan]

Maybe it's just that they feel like they need to compete on Sony's home territory to try and take market share from them. They didn't do a good job last time around though, who knows what will happen this time, probably won't work out too well for them.

[mikel1015]

Microsoft's got to have at least one more Japanese exclusive, maybe Platinum Games? This can't be all they got for Japan at E3

[christocolus]

This is definitly one out of many more games in the pipeline.this isn't even going to be a full priced game.I think this type of games will be used to fill the void between the major releases. MS released a list of of over 45 japanese developers who will be making games for their platform and they also have some exclusives in the pipeline from their japanese dev partners (according to phil). I guess they wanted this out of the way to make room for more announcements, remember Phil said they would have another show before the japanese launch. I'm guessing that show will have more japanese exclusive announcements.

I'm personally hoping for a new lost odysee, blinx and otogi

[Spikes1471]

They (well Phil Spencer) also said expect a big, "never before seen" exclusive. Possibly at E3. At with that January Leak. Possibly Platinum Games "Project Nagano"

[Dewitt]

There were so many western viewers that this poll is really skewed.

[Spotie]

Doubtful. Unless you mean the negativity should be higher. Pretty certain fans of the companies involved weren't looking forward to needing an Xbox anything to play these games.

After all, it's not like the brand has much in the way of a fanbase or positive image in Japan.

[Dewitt]

All of GAF, reddit, and destructoid were watching the stream. So yeah...

[Prime157]

I browse gaf and reddit and I wasn't watching the stream.

Generalize much? How many western hemisphere Japanese speaking trolls do you think there are?

[Spotie]

That's hyperbole, first and foremost. And it still didn't disprove what I said. Xbox is not popular in Japan, and I can't imagine why VN fans would be pleased to see these games on Xbox, rather than on a Nintendo or Playstation console.

With that in mind, you can't say which direction the number would be skewed in. However, given the dislike of Xbox in general, it's possible the number would be even higher WITHOUT the western audience.

[Dewitt]

Since these are JP releases only I can't see how your response makes any sense whatsoever.

[GameDev1]

But then isn't there the likely chance some of those Western viewers might have raised the vote up in favour of the Xbox and the poll would have actually been worse if they weren't there??

[rainslacker]

I'd imagine IF there were a ton of western viewers, it was probably the Otaku types who know who these companies are. I doubt most western gamers on there on this site had even heard of 5pb or Mages. That being said, I can see why those western viewers may be upset, because the XBox brand isn't really huge on games for the Otaku.

There may have been some wanting to see what exclusives there would be for the X1, but you'd assume that they were mostly X1 owners looking to see what was coming.

You make it seem like Sony fans have some sort of agenda to sabotage any news for MS at every turn and devote their life to that end.

In any case, it would appear, based on your argument, that Xbox just isn't popular in the west anymore. Why do you think that is?

[josephayal]

The entire Xbox brand is a fail over there

[choujij]

Not just there.

[LordMaim]

Zing!

[No_Limit]

I am pleased...that is all that matters. Glad MS is still trying and hopefully we get to see a few more Japanese exclusives announce at E3 and/or TGS.

[DVAcme]

I dunno why you're celebrating, since those exclusives are gonna STAY in Japan. VNs are not a genre that has any kind of meaningful fanbase in America to warrant localization.

[No_Limit]

I say "I" because I can understand the Japanese language so it does not pertain to every xbox owners in my statement.

[mrpsychoticstalker]

Lol. The hate Is real.

Microsoft will conquer anyway.

[MysticStrummer]

They've never conquered gaming before, so why now?

[MasterCornholio]

How the heck is Microsoft going to conquer Japan when their last console performed horribly there?

Your acting like the Xbox One will change the minds of the Japanese but trust me it won't.

[DigitalRaptor]

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

[D3ATH_DRIV3R_777]

*drops head then facepalm*

[SoulSercher620]

Wow the desperation is strong in you.

[Bhuahahaha]

VN is big in japan but that 1 game wont be a system selling for ms

[DragonKnight]

...

http://sociorocketnewsen.fi...

[Necro_559]

MS, stop wasting your time on the Japanese market. Seriously, they dont even matter. I get that you want to try because you are a proper company but they dont appreciate it. Just stop, you dont need them. They make up for a VERY small % of the sales. The funny thing is, if it was Sony exclusive, they wouldnt give a damn. Stop wasting resources on them.

[tgunzz]

Wish it wasn't like this... USA welcomes other brands. Breaking down barriers is a tough, tough task (I'm sure most know here). Although I would love for MS to break through, it just may not be changeable... I definitely can appreciate the effort.

[choujij]

Right. There's no prejudice in the USA and there's no Windows or Apple products sold in Japan.

[JasonKCK]

Uh... most peolpe don't have a choice but to use Windows so that's irrelevant.

As for Apple, they do make the most popular phones and tablets on the planet. So it's not surprising that they use it.

As for the US being more open is true. The US has the most diverse consumer market. There has been a fair trade debate with Japan for years.

[OrangePowerz]

@Necro

They don't appreciate a console that's not at all geared towards their market? How surprising. The Xbox consoles have always been very american consoles that are designed around american services and what not. There is a reason why they performed only great in 2 markets (US and UK) previously, they are not international devices focusing all their service around american sports and games mainly aimed at people with the "bro" mentality.

@tgunzz

It's nothing to do with them being an American company, there are many American companies that are very popular and successful in Japan. It has to do with offering a product that isn't at all appealing to the population of the country because of how it is designed what it does and what games it plays. The device is as appealing to the Japanese population as condoms with Jesus on it would be to christians.

[Mikefizzled]

I cannot understand this. They watched it knowing Mages were announcing an Xbox One exclusive. They got 3 and an announcement for another 3 at E3. I'm struggling take this as a non skewed poll.

[Spikes1471]

Wait what? They said they have three more announcements at E3? Link.

[Mikefizzled]

Its a little hard to make sense of. But here.

http://www.siliconera.com/2...

[rainslacker]

Unfortunately nothing said what people were saying as to why they weren't happy. Maybe dualshockers could go and search some Japanese forums to see what people are saying.

LOL in the streams comment section isn't exactly really telling of what people think.

[kewlkat007]

Every game that fails over there is resources wasted and that one western exclusive lost..

[scotmacb]

They are racist just cause x1 is american

[DarXyde]

Really? And what is "American"? Nothing but a collective of different cultures. It isn't racism, so you can stop with that.

The XBOX brand underperforming historically probably has more to do with it being Microsoft than "American". Apple products actually do quite well over there. You also need to consider that Japanese gamers like their devices to be slim. The PS3 wasn't doing so great until a size reduction. The Wii was very petite on its own and sold very well. A lot of it is "support our national economy" which isn't really a bad thing, but did you know that Microsoft's MSX actually did alright in Japan?

It isn't racism. No personal offense, but that was just a stupid comment.

[RockmanII7]

Japan is actually one of the more racist countries, people hating xbox because it isn't from Japan wouldn't surprise me at all.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

[GameDev1]

@Rockman117

I can pretty much tell you that you will find racism in many countries not just in Japan.

But racism being the reason they wouldn't buy a game console? might be but highly unlikely

Its more of pride for their own products

[DarXyde]

@ Rockman,

All I'm seeing is very localized racism that doesn't generalize to regions outside of places like Okinawa. Additionally, you might want to pour through the data yourself that Wikipedia is citing, not just take the article's interpretation(s) at face value. I perused some of the sources briefly and you should probably look at it more carefully.

Again, Apple does just fine in Japan as do some others. You should also consider their love for American Western culture (even a Japanese game developer loves Westerns--Kojima, in case you didn't know) if you think it's racism.

On another note, most anime are made with an appeal to Western characteristics. Just as Westerners see that they have small eyes, they see Westerners as having exceptionally large eyes. Racism is a stretch; nationalism and anti-Microsoft beliefs are likely to be more significant contributors, but with some American companies thriving in Japan, nationalism probably takes a backseat to anti-Microsoft beliefs.

How entitled does an American sound when another culture doesn't buy into their products? It's just Microsoft.

[MasterCornholio]

And yet apple products are popular there.

Trust me its not racism.

[ger2396]

Along with American jeans, cars, movies, music, ect, etc. Yea, they hate all American culture. /s

[LightDiego]

True, IPhone it's popular there.

[CaitSith]

Baseball's very popular in Japan, and that's American!

[KinjoTakemura]

Japanese people buy plenty of things that are American. Japanese people just don't like to spend their money on useless items.

[truefan1]

Keep pushing forward, no one knows the details of the poll, it could have been ps4 fans from all over voting. we have seen this before with other Xbox games. 360 was outsold 9:1 by ps3, so if they could cut that to 3:1 I'm sure MSFT would call that a success.

[0P-Tigrex]

Shouldn't you go back to Dualshockers?? AT least there you can damage control forever.

[OrangePowerz]

@Ruthless

I think he should go back to Mister X media or to his desk at the MS office.

@Truefan

How would MS get to 3:1 in Japan against a well performing PS4 when they got a 9:1 against a struggling PS3? The X1 has a lot more cons compared to the 360 when it comes to how well it is designed for the Japanese market, the whole console is designed to work in American homes, there was no thought put into how the console would work in other countries outside the US.

[mydyingparadiselost]

I continue to smell failure...

[0P-Tigrex]

I was shocked when i read this. 66%?! That's insane considering these are Japanese inspired games. I feel the Xbox will always struggle in the East. It's sad but people need to come to that realization. The Japanese favor the PS4 WAY more than the Xbox.. numbers speak for themselves here.

[PraxxtorCruel]

They adamantly support their own products from what it seems unlike the western world where we go with whatever is providing best value for money. Always willing to give that new guy a chance sorta attitude but no not in Japan.

I just hope MS doesn't waste too many resources in a market that doesn't appreciate the XBOX and then ultimately begin to fail their core market. This tends to happen when you spread your resources far 'n wide.

[0P-Tigrex]

Eh.. Microsoft's main markets are North America and Europe... They see potential sales from the Eastern countries so i wouldn't say they're spreading it "far and wide". I made that statement because they were eastern-centric games but people were still displeased. It must have something to do with their mindset of the Xbox itself; whether it be an "American console" or they simply don't prefer console gaming. Right now the Ps3 is destroying the 360 in japan. The ps4 already has presence in that territory and the Japanense can relate since it's a "japanese console". i can't see the One selling well in that territory. It will sell.. but the Xbox normally only sells well in North America(360).

[KinjoTakemura]

Microsoft needs to understand the types of games Japanese gamers play. The same kind of games that American gamers want to play. RPGS, (NOT ACTION RPGS THEY SUCK!) Dungeon crawlers, FPS that don't have multiplayer (Wolfenstein), Open world action games like Infamous and GTA. Until Microsoft stops giving people what Microsoft thinks people want instead of what they actually want, the Xbox One will never establish itself in the Japanese gaming market.

[MCTJim]

couldn't help but notice the extreme trolls over on dualshockers..contrary to popular belief most people over there are not trolls....yeah, I know its a Sony site, but most treat the articles and the posters with respect..but we all know who the extreme trolls are..they lay in wait and then pounce on anything MS with extreme negativity.......its like they lay awake at night just waiting...that is really sad.

[kewlkat007]

What did you expect from that site..look at the comment section..no different than here really.

[gamerfan0909]

I like Sony products, their camera's and consoles are outstanding, but the playstation trolls are the worst I've ever seen. These guys just hate gaming as a artform and will crap on anything Microsoft related just for the sake of hating on it. There's certainly trolls for everything, but these guys take to such extremes that it becomes so annoying and their hatred is troubling.

[Clogmaster]

It's all proportional really.

The more gamers in that fanbase, and the more successful it is, the bigger the vocal minority becomes.

[Skankinruby]

You clearly weren't around last gen, 360 fanboys were the absolute scum of the earth

[Obscure_Observer]

@MCT

Yes it is. Some of them are just frustated about The Order's delay, and want to blow out some steam. Others i think, is really wishing on X1 to fail bad around the world.

But i also notice some positive views/perceptions from a few Sony fans towards the X1 since Phil's now in charge. So there's hope that Phil will do good for X1 in the long run.

OT: Maybe, just maybe that pool was skewed. Who knows? We'll have to wait till X1's Japanese Launch to be sure.;)

[dddooozzz9]

XBOX consoles are already dead consoles in Asia. They abandon our Asia players.

[gamerfan0909]

Microsoft should just give up over there. 360 had some amazing JRPG games that were truly some of the best of last gen and they still shunned the system. They need to just spend money on the west and leave the east dog fight to Sony and Nintendo. I mean there's not much money there to begin with.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

Japan is just still angry that a western version of Godzilla was actually decent and kept the spirit of Godzilla with out the crappy English Dub.

On point... Well at least MS has their (Japan/Asia's) attention. Sure they may be all butt hurt but if MS can rally with more support beyond these games it could prove to be successful(success being better than Xbox 360)

[Tedakin]

Xbone could be the best thing ever and it wouldn't sell in Japan. Know why? The Japanese won't buy American products. Hell they're barely buying the PS4. Console gaming there is dying fast.

[MasterCornholio]

Why do apple products sell so well then?

I thought Apple was an American firm.

[Spotie]

You're just gonna keep stating the lie until it becomes the truth, aren't you?

Is that some sort of Xbox fanboy requirement?

[corvusmd]

Well if this is a true representation of gamers in Japan, that's not all that great of news for XB1. However, there is still light at the end of the tunnel for them I guess.

A). We don't know that this is a true representation of Japanese gamers, judging by the % numbers, they don't look to detailed, so it could just be a small poll. B). The source of this poll could be biased anyway...it'd be like holding the same poll here on n4g. I'm sure if we had that poll here it'd get even worse scores, but this microcosm isn't reflective of what is actually going on in the world of gaming. C). These games APPEAR at this point to appeal to casual gamers, the people watching the reveal would more likely be hardcore gamers (it shocks me that I still find people here in the US that are like "have you heard of this game 'Titanfall' ...'Watch Dogs'... 'Destiny'). We kinda have to remember that we as the more "hardcore" gamers do not actually represent gaming as a whole. Esp in Japan where the majority of gamers are "phone gamers" that like simpler games (at least from what I hear...that may be wrong).

This poll might be truly reflective of Japan's reception of these games, and MS has never really done well there anyway, but at this point we should just take it as one poll and file it away for reference later if these things start piling up. If that is the case, MS will have to decide if Japan is worth the effort (being as they aren't doing a whole lot in gaming all together), and if so they will have to find other ways to attract them. Who knows, maybe as people learn more about the games they might love them...I thought Sunset Overdrive looked stupid at first...now it's on my "must have" list.

[mcarsehat]

love the hyperbole

[Gamer666]

All the drama in the comments...

As with every article that announces 1 or more xbox exclusives.

Is this really necessary?

[Silly gameAr]

What? But everyone is loving the X1. This Can't be right.

[PS4isTHEkneesOFbees]

Well of course the Japanese are disappointed. None of the three games are about a squid tentacle raping school girls... Those are the only kind of games they play.

[SoulSercher620]

No surprise. They don't care about anything Xbox. It's like a tradition to go with Sony consoles over there.

[XabiDaChosenOne]

Microsoft thought that by forcing Japanese gamers to buy an X1 to get these graphic novels that it would sway the Japanese into thinking "You know what, the Xbox brand is not that bad". But the thing is is that the japanese opinion of the Xbox brand has set sailed almost ten years ago. They don't like it, never have, never will. How many times do they have to remind you Microsoft?

[hellzsupernova]

What if they showed Master Chief and he was Japanese that would be funny?

[Max-Zorin]

For God sake Microsoft, skip Japan already. They will never give your system a chance. Batman will intentionally kill by the time the Xbox system make a success there.

[gigoran]

This won't make japanese people buy the console. And I'm speaking from having experienced the launches and life of all ms consoles in Japan. Xbox is considered a joke by japanese people. And I don't mean just joke as it fails to take off there, but actual physical jokes between friends. If you're japanese and own one your friends will rip on you forever.

Not trolling at all. This is a fact within Japan. Having lived there for 20 years I can confirm this true. Ms have tried things like this game before to get them to buy. It had never worked.

[urwifeminder]

Well played MS cry it up my Japanese brothers cry until tears are replaced with blood.

[busytoad]

japanese company being bought off by micro$oft and people didnt think japanese consumers would be pist?? micro$oft is hated all over the world even here in the US,but then theres kids/morons here in usa who still buy their garbage/low grade consoles which is sad.

[DarkLord1003]

Seems like MS is going to fail in Japan again....
What could they do to bring Japanese Gamers on their side?

[TMonkey]

Japan's hate for Xbox has nothing to do with the quality of the console or it's games. Their hate of things non-Japanese is almost a cultural thing. It's a miracle that somehow they sell iPhones down there. I don't think they will ever accept the Xbox One unless it made them breakfast in bed and gave them a blowjob afterwards :P

[feraldrgn]

I'd take a guess & say that the masses in Japan don't plan on buying an American product (console), when their economy is in such bad shape.
Possibly want to support the Japanese companies who are more important to their country's growth.
So making Japanese games exclusive to an American product is probably a little offensive.

[DOOMZ]

Sounds like something that should be practiced in America!

[jnemesh]

Microsoft again is trying to BUY gamer loyalty by buying off the developers for exclusive titles...but the Japanese are smarter than that...they won't be swayed by this. All MS is doing is pissing off gamers and flushing money down the toilet.

[isyourhouseonfire]

Solution: get an Xbox one if you're truly a fan of these games.

[DOOMZ]

Japanese nationalism at its finest, lol!

[gamer7804]

JPNS market is more biased towards japanese consoles (nintendo/sony), microsoft already has a problem marketing towards this audience obviously, and when succeed at getting good jpns games only for their system, they''ll be hated for it.

[Demoa]

there's more japanese games on the xbox 1 then ps4 thats why.

[Grimhammer00]

Also id wager that more Japanese consumers are aware of what MS attempted to do - and the multiple 180°!

Gaming being much bigger part of the culture in Japan....the average consumer is just more aware.