Xbox Exec Meeting With 3rd Party Publishers In Japan; Knows People Want More JRPG’s On Xbox One

ThisGenGaming says "Phil Spencer did a huge impromptu Q&A on Twitter were he discussed JRPG's on Xbox One, a new Crimson Skies game, Halo Wars 2, backwards compatibility news for next week and issues the team are having with some publishers, and finally how both old and new games are going to sell people on the Scorpio."

[SaveFerris]

I wonder if Phil will be bringing his chequebook when he goes to Japan?

[skydragoonityx]

"and finally how both old and new games are going to sell people on the Scorpio." OK.

[chrisx]

At this point as far as phil is concerned, words are meaningless. only Results will count.

[Bigpappy]

When you are the boss your words are never meaningless... but they can be ignored.

[tyasia0]

Phil just says what he thinks people want to hear.

[PhoenixUp]

It'll be a fruitless venture. No matter how much Microsoft spends efforts on securing JRPGs for Xbox One, the poor sales of those titles on the console will deter many Japanese publishers from seriously backing it. The most XO will get are multiplats with PS4 JRPGs.

[Lon3wolf]

If Msoft fully fund the games then devs might be tempted to do exclusives, so you never know.

[ChiefofLoliPolice]

That's the only way it's going to happen.

[Artemus]

Yeah, that worked great for Scalebound.

[Lon3wolf]

@Artemus

Didn't realise that Scalebound was a JRPG, no one knows why it got cancelled (unless I missed something).

[Chevalier]

The last 2 Japanese games they funded they canceled. Phantom Dust and Scalebound. It's pretty doubtful Japanese studios didn't notice.

[rainslacker]

Or they could open the checkbook to get timed exclusives.

Annoy gamers on other platforms with the hope of picking up maybe a couple hundred console sales from the mega fan of a particular franchise.

They had some exclusive Japanese games at the start of this gen, they ended up being timed exclusive.

[PhoenixUp]

I do know that no dev is going to want to make an exclusive JRPG game on XO. FFXV is the biggest one thus far and it still hasn't sold pass 1 million. That just sends a bad image to all the other smaller JRPG franchises.

[nitus10]

Using VGChatz since it is the easiest to get information from. http://www.vgchartz.com/gam...

Final Fantasy XV has so far sold about 4.30 million for the PS4 and 0.82 million for the XB1. Even taking the almost two to one lead the PS4 has over the XB1 it seems that the majority of XB1 owners prefer other types of games to the RPG genres that is the Final Fantasy series.

This is also seen in games like Final Fantasy XIII on the PS3 (5.34 million) and XBox360 (2.17 million) and the numbers of PS3 to XBox360 owners is about identical.

Take a look at Blue Dragon (0.92 million) and Lost Odyssey (0.90 million) both XBox360 exclusives and there appears to be some interest in JRPG's possibly because they were exclusive but most JRPG are not that popular on the XBox.

[game4funz]

Give me a lost of jrpgs selling well on Playstation. I'm really curious.

Amazing to me that you think ff15 is a jrpg...guess you considered westernized rpgs to be jrpgs... Then I guess so is mass effect. Or dragon age.

[TheGamez100]

Sure back in the day the 360 had a start with good jrpgs but it was all about halo, gears, and cod those days so they were pretty much overshadowed. Ive only ever heard of maybe 1 or 2 friends/acquintences of mine having a jrpg on the 360. So kinda confused why xbox owners want jrpgs on the x1. Makes me wonder what sakaguchi is even doing these days, really want a lost odyssey 2 or remaster.

[Nyxus]

It's a shame too because Lost Odyssey is really an awesome game.

[game4funz]

What I am really confused about is your comment... Xbox owners want jrpgs.... Ummm You think you're going to find those in mass outside?? I have hard time finding anyone who plays jrpgs on any console... Doesn't mean there aren't people that want them. You just won't find it among the casual westerners.

[StifflerK]

It was surprising when they gave Lost Odyssey free to XBL members last year - I was hoping it might be indicative of something like this.
I doubt MS will ever have as much JRPG support as Sony or Ninty, but that doesn't mean they can't have a few great ones.

Lost Odyssey 2 would be top of my list, and I remember Yukio Futatsugi (panzer dragoon , crimson dragon, phantom dust) expressing interest in making another RPG.
Also i'm still really surprised that Skies of Arcadia hasn't been remade/ re-released. Wishful thinking I know, but it'd be great to see it again.

I've noticed a lot of niche Japanese games turning up on steam this past year , maybe Phil is just trying to convince dev's to use UWP - that way making the games compatible across both platforms???

[TheColbertinator]

Lets see what becomes of this trip later.

[tyasia0]

It's not like this is the first time he has gone to Japan. He does it at least once a year. What has become of them so far? You can pretty much expect this one to have the same results... not much.

[PlayableGamez-]

I think MS at least needs to get more 3rd party Japanese games on Xbox and not let PS and even Nintendo snag up these games as exclusive.
However, I don't think MS should have Japanese games as exclusives. Not until they establish a larger market for gamers who enjoy Japanese games.
Which probably won't happen.

[Bigpappy]

Agree. No need to waste money on exclusivity. Just get them to port the games for those who would like to play them on the system. Gamers are gamers on any system. But I will give that some types of games from Japan are not going to have a lot of appeal in the U.S. But many others will. FFXV did relatively well on XB1.

[Trez1234]

Thats the spirit that can change things for xbox. Gamers are gamers like you said. It's just that some xbox fans really hate or want to hate anything from Japan because of this pointless war.

[butchertroll]

Quote :

FFXV did relatively well on XB1.

.....

Don't be so sure. 8:2 ratio in PS4 favor in biggest Xbone markets is not good.

[tyasia0]

"Gamers are gamers on any system"

That's not true.

History has shown that Japanese games do not sell as well on Xbox systems as they do on Playstation. And it doesn't have to do with numbers. Last gen the consoles both had similar numbers of users but PS3 Japanese games always sold more in the same regions.

[rainslacker]

I imagine the trip is to get more localized games on Xbox in the west. I doubt MS is going to finance high profile games which could drive console sales in Japan itself.

Nothing wrong with that, but I can't see MS dropping loads of money for exclusive rights to games which traditionally haven't driven console sales for them anywhere in the world, at any point in their history. I could see them doing some petty crap and trying to get timed exclusives of some big games, which will only serve to piss off the fans of those games who already made their choice this gen.

[XXanderXX]

Do what you can , but if they choose not to create games or bring any games to the platform , to hell with them . 👌

[Nyxus]

Maybe you should blame the Xbox audience for not supporting those games.

[OMGitzThatGuy]

Considering most Japanese games that come to Xbox are SUPER niche bullshit like D4 and rarely any JRPG, you cant blame Xboxers for not buying that shit. If you never release for Xbox One you never will get the sales. It is just that Japanese devs are only worried about Japan and dont accept that more often then not if the game is good it sells more outside. Devs talk about how easy porting is this gen yet porting Jap games are too cost demanding when Japanese people are smarter than people in the US, its obvious they choose not to for the simple fact that they only care about Japan and only see the outside world as a second thought.

[game4funz]

Or those idiots who don't support gravity rush. Or tear away... Darn what a shame.

[XXanderXX]

No jokes they can walk off a short pier for all I care .

[tyasia0]

And that's why Japanese devs don't make games for Xbox. And the fact that Japanese dev's don't make games for Xbox is a big part of why PS4 outsells Xbone 3-1 globally.

[starchild]

2 to 1.

[rainslacker]

They have created games for Xbox, MS even pursued getting those games at several times in Xbox history. Without fail, they managed to do nothing for the system itself, and the games themselves didn't sell that great compared to other consoles.

Is that the developers fault? Is that MS fault? Is that the consumers fault?

Not saying Xbox gamers should buy games they aren't interested in, but don't act like these publishers are doing Xbox gamers wrong when they have very real reasons to not support the platform. If sales were there, MS wouldn't have to pursue specific support from the region, nor would people be asking why MS can't get Japanese game support.

It's about as simple as it can be. The sales of the software on the system aren't high enough to justify the expense of publishing those games on the console. That's the reality....not some conspiracy about Japanese devs being against MS, or it's fans.

[XXanderXX]

Like I stated they should do what they can but if not then time move forward without those studios.

[gamer7804]

as a huge fan of RPG's of all kinds (KRPG, JRPG, WRPG, etc) this isn't a pointless trip, sure it might not sell well in japan but there are xbox owners who would love to play more JRPG's on the xbox one.

[Nodoze]

So... they have a meeting about the need for JRPG's in Japan....after just having cancelled an anticipated JRPG developed in Japan by Platinum. Makes total sense. Microsoft is fing clueless. The sooner they exit the gaming business, the better. They can take their micro-transactions, DLC, and paid online service with them.

[ludicrous]

"They can take their micro-transactions, DLC, and paid online service with them." shouldn't Sony exit the gaming business as well if that is the case?

It seems you lots are really angry for some reason, what is the problem?

Though I did heard crimson sky, ooh what is that about? interesting.

[Bigpappy]

I was looking forward to Scale Bound must more than you were. I am quite sure of that. But If Phil canceled the game, I am sure he had a very good reason. My guess would be that the developer was not delivering on their promises.

[OMGitzThatGuy]

Releasing a more polished looking game in half the time for your competitors when they arent even funding the game yet MS is, would make me cancel the shit too. They are funding the studio's work yet you have the audacity to split your teams to get other work done.

[Nyxus]

My guess is Microsoft was too demanding and unreasonable. This is based on their track record as a publisher and some statements given by insiders (although it's hard to check their veracity).

[OG_TK_Cole]

One of the main reasons i own a PS4 and PS4 Pro. I love JRPG's. Hopefully Microsoft can make a deal in Japan and come away with a few games from their Console.

[049013]

goòooo xbox!!!

[BlakHavoc]

The Xbox community says they want more JRPGs on the platform but never support the ones that do make it.

[OMGitzThatGuy]

How many JRPGs are released on Xbox One? Not MS fault that Japanese dev choose not to release on the console. No one is gonna buy the shit when they haven't released a good JRPG beside FF. When you make it a point to release the shitty J games yet keep the ones like Nioh, Persona, Nier, and many more, dont be mad at the result of years of neglect and Sony scooping up all the good games.

[tyasia0]

Only about 15% of FFXV's sales were on XBone. Even if the games you list were put on XBone Xboners aren't going to buy them.

[game4funz]

That's about the dumbest comment. Who do you think buys them then. Non Xbox owners... Brain Where are you.

[originaljohn]

As far as I can tell Final Fantasy XV has sold well on Xbox 1, the more JRPG's the better.

[tyasia0]

I don't think 15% of the retail sales is good.

[game4funz]

If close to a million isn't good for you then.... The majority of Japanese games you must agree sell like shit on ps4

[originaljohn]

Is that 15% quoted from Square Enix?

[subtenko]

People want more games in general on Xbox One

[Pancit_Canton]

Phil Spencer needs some publicity stunt for the Scorpio. They would just fund the developers to make some games for 5 years to show at E3, then cancel it on the last very last minute.

[LexHazard79]

Whats the worst that could happen?

[gangsta_red]

http://www.japantimes.co.jp...

[BigGamersSmallTalk]

Sad to see that the President of Xbox has to go beg for support on his console, especially when games are all using X86 and it wouldn't take any work to get it on the Xbox One. I personally don't care for Japanese games, but it sucks to see it get less support just because it isn't "home team".

[OMGitzThatGuy]

I would love to see Japanese game come to Xbox but the writing is on the wall that Japanese devs dont want to support the console because they only look at their own little country then wonder why the Xbox is not doing good in japan.

[Doopy]

I'm pretty sure Phil can do something. PS4 isn't doing too well in Japan either because it only sold 4 million in Japan. These third party developers need to aim for xbox / PC for the future or these niche Japanese can flop horribly if Japan doesn't support them. Not into the games myself, but they should try to open their horizons more. Putting all your eggs in one basket can be disastrous for their future.

[Christopher]

PS4 is the highest selling 8th gen console in Japan. How is it not doing well? XBO is about 1% of that in Japan.

PC gaming in Japan isn't as stellar as people make it out to be. Outside of a handful of IPs that are extremely popular worldwide, most Japanese gaming is on mobile devices now. But, that doesn't mean you ignore the console/pc market. And it definitely doesn't mean that if you make Japanese games that you go to XBO/PC considering more new games are played on PS4 than on both of those platforms in Japan.

I think we should just embrace more games of all types going to more platforms, not trying to ignore the strengths that some consoles have in specific regions.

[tyasia0]

@BigGamersSmallTalk

It doesn't get support because people like you say "I personally don't care for Japanese games" all the freaking time.

Every time I talk about the Japanese games I enjoy all I hear from XBoners is those games suck and I wouldn't buy them.

So no shit they don't get ported.

Why do you even care if your not going to buy them?

@doopy

WTF are you even talking about Xbox has sold less than 2% as many consoles in Japan as PS4.

4,000,000 vs 75,000

[rainslacker]

Imagine how little work it takes to port(which is a fallacy in itself, but it's your argument). So few resources required, yet the money still isn't there to support a port and localization of the game on Xbox.

That's just how bad Japanese games sell on Xbox in general.

Or do you really believe it's some conspiracy that these publishers will refuse to make money just to spite off the evil American company MS.

The reality is, is that game publishing is just a numbers game. If the money was there to be made, the games would be there.

Lets face it. you look at any Japanese exclusive for PS thread, and all you get is Xbox fans talking about how those games barely sell in the west. Talk about how they're niche. Talk about how they're all for perverted losers who can't get laid. Talk about how no one cares about those games. The anecdotal evidence is there to show that Xbox gamers don't support Japanese games. The sales data is there to show that Xbox gamers don't support Japanese games.

but I will agree with you....it is sad that Spencer has to go beg for support. But it's his fans which cause him to have to beg for said support. There were Xbox fans who want those games....thus the tweets, but them people like you and moldy come into threads and talk nothing but sh*t about Japanese games with no facts in an effort to wage your console war.

Good job to you I guess.

[i3eyond the Circle]

Like I said before leading up to e3 it's going to be a fanboy shit show focusing solely on Xbox and after e3 when Scorpio articles dominate it's only going to intensify.

This is known because they are predictable and the fear is settling in. I didnt even read any posts above but can bet money there's someone up there trying to justify how getting more games is pointless...the same people who now think power is nothing and exclusives only 2% of the install base purchase is the defining difference of consoles.

[tyasia0]

If there is so much fear then why is Phil going to Japan to beg for the games PS4 is getting with ease?

Keep on dreaming if you think Scorpio is actually going to change anything.

[BIGBOSS08]

Yea sony must be trembling with fear right now. The whole world is going to go crazy for the Scorpio! The fear is settling in!/s

What a damn joke of a comment. He's acting like the Scorpio is the best thing since the invention of the Internet and it's going to take over the whole world or something. Sure sony are scared, they'll only have sold 75m ps4's by the end of the year. . Do you xbox fanboys ever look at the facts instead of your delusional minds?

[Angel911]

They most probably work on those games which are also popular outside Japan.. Souls type games are popular worldwide..Something similar would do great .

MS will never fund niiche Japan only games.

[OMGitzThatGuy]

Sony never funds niche games neither, they fund game that they know would work WW. Funding a japan only game would just be retarded and leaving out 95 percent of their fanbase. 99 percent for Xbox.

[rainslacker]

I think Sony has a worldwide fan base that also likes Japanese games. I mean things like Puppeteer or TLG are distinctly Japanese, yet Sony funded them because they know they have fans which appreciate japanese games.

[nitus10]

Actually, the Souls games are more popular on the Playstation brand than on the XBox brand.

Try the following for fun: http://www.vgchartz.com/gam... you will see the following trends that Dark Souls on the PlayStation is more popular than on the XBox.

For an example, DS3 sold approx 1.85 million on the PS4 compared to 0.49 million on the XB1 and even tking into account the almost 2:1 ratio of PS4 to XB1 Playstation players still prefer the Souls games over XB1 players.

As for "niche" games, I think "OMGitzThatGuy" response is very appropriate.

[Critic4l_Strik3]

A couple years too late?

[TechnoGoat]

MS really needs to just leave the Japanese market alone. Japan has very little interest in Xbox, the sales they do make in Japan are from Americans who live there and the occasional local who just loves gaming. You're wasting time and money Microsoft, just let it go.

[Relientk77]

Yeah good luck with that Phil

[BIGBOSS08]

I was really hoping the headline was "xbox exec leaving twitter to concentrate on actually bringing games to xbox instead of wasting time saying useless crap on twitter all day"

[Vizigoth04]

It's gotta feel weird feeling like a Quarterback last generation and now kind of feeling like the Kicker.

[GoodnessGreatness]

If you want JRPG games, you wouldn't have gotten an xbox in the first place.

[rainslacker]

There was a brief 2 year period during the early 360 days where Xbox would have been a consideration. Then MS gave up on getting those kind of games, and so did the people who like Japanese games give up on Xbox.

[Godmars290]

And they had them with the 360. Then let Sony show them up by both allowing many titles on the PS3 and with extra content.

[S2Killinit]

please MS less PR, more games.

[Segata]

No they don't. They want them on PC,PS4 and handhelds.

[sdplisken]

Lol phil is desperate for games on his x-bone
Reality is Japan doesn't give a shat about xbox and the xbox fanbase doesn't give a shit about jrpgs
Xbox fanbase only cares about unlocking the next gun attachment in call o duty and teabagging 12 yr olds

[DaGreatOne]

According to some Xbox gamers this will be a pointless trip. We all know Japanese games don't sell well outside of Japan, especially those niche games.

[GrubsterBeater]

Don't XBox fans say that those games don't count and they could care less about those lame games? I'm surprised they aren't angry about Spencer trying to give them those "stupid Japanese games that nobody really likes."

[Auron]

Awesome can't wait to hear announcements in the future.

[jznrpg]

At least they are trying , should have continued what they started with 360 but they got cocky.

[xxjabberxx]

People don't even want an XBOX One trick pony...why would they want more JRPG's?

[Tross]

I can't imagine anyone who knows anything about JRPGs or Japanese games in general would be dumb enough to turn to the XB1 for more than ultra mainstream stuff like Final Fantasy. Besides, if I were a dev and very few people in my country bought a system, I'd probably not bother developing for it.

[Skillz1215]

lol

[ShadowWolf712]

Truth be told, these people don't want new, original IPs from Japanese devs, or even future games, and certainly not to buy. They want a port of existing games to the Xbox platform just so they're not exclusive to the competition anymore.

Whenever they get Japanese games on that system, 9 out of 10 times they don't sell.

[SaveFerris]

Spot on!

https://youtu.be/HNGXsgLRkX...

Next problem for Phil is that it'll cost a lot to secure ports, but will the sales be worth the cost? And if he was to order a new IP, it may turn into another Scalebound, which he definitely won't want to happen again.

[windblowsagain]

Phil. Please STFU.

[FyBy]

It seems to me, all microsoft is doing is damage control. Maybe things that dont have any sense, but do have big impact on gamers perception of xbox. Maybe Phil will soon give away cakes at bus stations.

[feraldrgn]

So this reads like he's talking to Japanese publishers for work on games for the Scorpio, considering the development times for JRPG's.

[Dirtnapstor]

"Xbox Exec...knows people want good games on Xbox One"