Has microsoft dropped interest in the Japanese Market?
- Thread starter PseudoKirby
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Bending_Unit_22
Member
Do you expect a multinational corporation to say any other? That being said the JRPG fanbase in the US for any given game is probably cappped at not much above 1 million. That's not Call of Duty numbers so I wouldn't expect many companies to care.
fvng
Member
The same could be said of very Japanese software in the west.
I have seen the term "too Japanese" used pejoratively way too often on GAF and other forums.
There is a reason there has been a concerted effort to hire western devs to take over IPs that were traditionally handled by Japanese Dev teams.
The tendency to reject foreign sensibilities is not exclusive to Japan.
yurinka
Member
I think that even if MS made huge efforts, the Japanese market still prefer the HD Japanese console (as in US prefer the HD American HD console but even more).
I'd say that after several attempts both MS and the related Japanese devs saw that it didn't work so they just stopped.
I'd say it isn't Microsoft's issue because they did a great job trying it.
I'd say that after several attempts both MS and the related Japanese devs saw that it didn't work so they just stopped.
I'd say it isn't Microsoft's issue because they did a great job trying it.
SquiddyCracker
Banned
It'd be a good idea to just completely skip the Japanese market come Durango.
Save your cash for more ads/stuff in Europe, which unlike NA is not saturated enough.
Japan will remain a Nintendo/Sony land due to cultural factors.
Save your cash for more ads/stuff in Europe, which unlike NA is not saturated enough.
Japan will remain a Nintendo/Sony land due to cultural factors.
ZombiePlatypus
Member
I think it was a case of eventual mutual lack of interest from both sides. Which is frankly just fine and all the better.I really don't wanna shell out extra cash next gen on a console that's mainly about stuff like Kinect and Halo just to play a few exclusives like Vesperia.
They're fault our not,it all ended up being very forced.
They're fault our not,it all ended up being very forced.
OldJadedGamer
Banned
Japan is way too focus on handhelds.
Duxxy3
Member
Developers or consumers?
yes ?
japanese devs ok, japanese market is not worth it
if you are Microsoft and you see by investing $1 there you get next to 0 in return, what should you do ?
Developers follow the consumers.
the main problem with microsoft's attempts at the beginning of last gen (this gen) is that one or two games will not make your console popular or even viable in the long term.
the result of MS getting Lost Oddysey end Blue Dragon was that japanese gamers anticipating those games bought the console and quickly sold it back after finishing said games and never looked back. It amounted to nothing. A console can't be sustained with a couple of games.
I can't think of a solution for microsoft, honestly. It's sad but people wanted to see and play those games but didn't want the console in the least.
no way MS is getting anywhere near a monster hunter or dragon quest deal with capcom or SE so other than that, I can't see them having more success with their next console than what they had with the 360, that was it.
the result of MS getting Lost Oddysey end Blue Dragon was that japanese gamers anticipating those games bought the console and quickly sold it back after finishing said games and never looked back. It amounted to nothing. A console can't be sustained with a couple of games.
I can't think of a solution for microsoft, honestly. It's sad but people wanted to see and play those games but didn't want the console in the least.
no way MS is getting anywhere near a monster hunter or dragon quest deal with capcom or SE so other than that, I can't see them having more success with their next console than what they had with the 360, that was it.
fvng
Member
I wouldn't use Xenogears or The Last Story as evidence that JRPGs are still popular in the west. (As luxoria was arguing)
The fact that it was such a pain in the ass to get the three rainfall games localized here is strong proof that JRPGs don't have the market viability that they used to have.
The fact that The Last Story sold about 500k units further supports that. Those are niche genre numbers.
FF still sells millions on brand name alone
City of Dis
Member
I agree with this, but the faults aren't even close to symmetric. Nintendo and Sony actually have a market in the West. The PS3 and the Wii sold well. There isn't a knee jerk rejection of Square Enix, Capcom, or Konami games. There is sizable anticipation for Ni No Kuna, Ground Zeroes, Bayonetta 2, etc. The Wii U had an all right launch, and I expect the PS4 to be successful as well.
When was the last time Japan was excited for a Western release? Well-acclaimed titles like Grand Theft Auto, Gears of War, Uncharted, etc. fall flat in Japan even with a good review from Famitsu. The same simply can not be said for the Western market.
fvng
Member
Commuter Society
RukusProvider
Banned
They secured developer support for next gen (for international games). Now they can focus on mainland Europe next gen where they have the chance to make an impact, unlike japan.
Maybe he's an economist?
Microsoft was right to give up on the Japanese market. They can make all their money with the same incredible western developed games we've been getting this generation.
Besides, Japan themselves basically gave up on consoles altogether and moved to handhelds. The cultural divide is too big to even bother.
Besides, Japan themselves basically gave up on consoles altogether and moved to handhelds. The cultural divide is too big to even bother.
I think they shouldn't give up on the Japanese market, but I also think they should focus on the Asia market as a whole rather then just looking at Japan for sales. It's not just Japan spending money on games. Put in some effort the first few years and adjust your strat from there.
TwEE-N-Toast
Banned
Are there games on the 360 that would interest people other then Microsoft fans, that they can't already get on computers or the ps3? I can't think of any.
Silas Lang
Member
Seems pretty pointless for Microsoft to even try really. The Xbox brand has been around over 10 years now and there is still hardly any interest in Japan whatsoever. Japan is firmly Nintendo and Sony territory for the foreseeable future.
The first few years MS had a pretty big JRPG line up and build up a small niche market with shmups and visual novels. As time passed most became multiplatform but MS gave up by then.
fvng
Member
That is all true, I attribute that to the advantage of Japanese developers dominating the western console gamer's living rooms for nearly three decades. Americans grew up on Japanese franchises. There's a lot of sentimentality and nostalgia there. That's a HUGE advantage.
There wasn't a truly successful western console until the 360. There are no western game series for Japanese gamers to get nostalgic about the same way we Americans get nostalgic about contra and castlevania.
The 360 and the current gen has redefined the tastes of western gamers. Most western gamers wont go back to hyper anime styled JRPGs after having played skyrim. It's a culture war to a certain extent.
JustAnotherOtaku
Member
It's not just JRPG's though, plenty of Otaku games and shmups still exclusive to the 360. Although yes, they too have sort of dried up of late.
GlamFM
Banned
Meh....
I´m just saying that it´s not reasonable ( for MS ) to invest in a shrinking market that has very specific tastes and is apparently shifting more an more towards handhelds.
Especially since this market doesn´t seem to care about them at all.
So yes, with the amount of money in mind they would have to spend to have any impact it´s not worth it.
The "war" is fought in Europe. That should be Microsofts ( and Sonys ) focus.
Stumpokapow
listen to the mad man
I think you're right, in relative terms, and I'm not sure why everyone is reacting negatively to you.
The amount of money it takes to fund a Japanese exclusive is not necessarily all that lower than the amount of money it takes to fund a US-targeted exclusive, and the return is much higher. Most of Microsoft's producers are western. Most of Microsoft's teams are western. There are more western studios able to work-for-hire. The Japanese market is small, often shrinking, and when it's not, certainly growing less quickly than Europe. Finally, the Japanese market is disproportionately handheld, which is a sector Microsoft is basically not competing in.
I do think Microsoft was wise to invest near the beginning of the generation to keep their foothold, but now that the relative success or failure of the consoles in each region has basically been established and we're in a "business as usual" sort of period, I don't see the sense in aggressively going after Japan.
PopcornMegaphone
Banned
As others have noted the console market is shrinking and MS is not well positioned there. The only reason I can see MS launching in Japan is to gain favor for developer support. However, I'm sure most major Japanese games will be developed for the 720 so I don't think it'll be worth it.
Gamer @ Heart
Member
I'm sure it will kick start again for the new launch. Why bother spending those resources this late in the gen?
They dont have the support of the smaller developers, but they know all the big parties will make xbox versions of all their big stuff if they want to turn a profit anywhere else.
They dont have the support of the smaller developers, but they know all the big parties will make xbox versions of all their big stuff if they want to turn a profit anywhere else.
GlamFM
Banned
Mod approval! <3 <3 <3
Japanese market is shrinking, so perhaps its better for MS to make inroads and establish themselves in expanding markets such as Brazil, India, China and South Korea. Because that is precisely what their competitor Sony has been doing.
Tough i do not think anyone at any board meeting is going to suggest to just give up on Japan, that would mean handing japanese home console market on a silver plate, likely to Sony unless the Wii U situation drastically improves (which could happen, but still has not)
Tough i do not think anyone at any board meeting is going to suggest to just give up on Japan, that would mean handing japanese home console market on a silver plate, likely to Sony unless the Wii U situation drastically improves (which could happen, but still has not)
Right, because Japan hates Apple?
Japanese development is generally cheaper than western development. But an exclusive firmly targeted at the Japanese market would also be a much less spendy endeavor than something for the west.
A "big" exclusive for the West is a AAA shooter that probably runs in the $70-100M range now, while a pretty big exclusive for Japan could be something like Idolmaster developed for a fraction of the budget.
And Platinum hasn't had any big AAA hits yet, but they produce A-level content really, really cheaply, and could potentially make a global hit. I don't know their actual budgets, but I'm told they are "ridiculously cheap."
It was also MS's money that helped to build the studio.
Fox Mulder
Member
I wonder how those games would do digitally on Live. There's obviously a niche audience for them, and going digital would be cheaper than doing a production run of retail copies.
Fixed
It's a waste of time and money for Microsoft, why take up such an uphill batte when the rewards are not worth the effort.
They did an admirable job last gen in funding exclusives by Mistwalker like blue dragon,Lost odessy, other exclusives like Ninety-Nine Nights and Infinite Undiscovery and also got Timed exclusive for Eternal sonata and Tales of vespira.
It makes even less sense now since console jrpg are dead in the west and in a coma in the east, microsoft wouldn't be able to sell these games world wide like it tried with Lost odessy.
Why spend millions on a japanese exclusive when it's only going to sell around 350k at best in japan and like only 100k for all of the western world(america and Europe), western publishers like Microsoft want system sellers that sell 5+ million copies.
I suspect MS will make a big push in Japan again, BTW.
MS is interested in taking over people's living rooms more than selling them games and game consoles, and the next generation of hardware is going to be more about it being an entertainment hub than a game system.
Japan is still one of the richest countries in the world, and one of the most well-connected and technologically-oriented. While the games business there may be shrinking, they're still the perfect market for their products.
MS is interested in taking over people's living rooms more than selling them games and game consoles, and the next generation of hardware is going to be more about it being an entertainment hub than a game system.
Japan is still one of the richest countries in the world, and one of the most well-connected and technologically-oriented. While the games business there may be shrinking, they're still the perfect market for their products.
Zeouterlimits
Member
They tried, failed, I don't think they'll try as hard again.
They'll still make sure to get the Japanese made titles, but not in order to accommodate Japan.
They'll still make sure to get the Japanese made titles, but not in order to accommodate Japan.
Deuterium
Member
Is it possible that Western audiences have outgrown some of the bizarre and frankly juvenille plot and character aesthetics that are so common in JRPGs.
-- incoherent plots, character behavior and motivations
-- disturbing portrayal of androgynous young men and women, which in some cases (in Western eye's) appears borderline pedophelic in nature. By the way, what is it with the Japanese fixation on prepubescent schoolgirls?
-- Inexplicable over-use of ridiculous Deux ex machina plot mechanisms to resolve conflict and major plot issues, or simply to move a story from point "a" to point "b".
-- giant robots are both the cause and the solution to almost every problem
-- incoherent plots, character behavior and motivations
-- disturbing portrayal of androgynous young men and women, which in some cases (in Western eye's) appears borderline pedophelic in nature. By the way, what is it with the Japanese fixation on prepubescent schoolgirls?
-- Inexplicable over-use of ridiculous Deux ex machina plot mechanisms to resolve conflict and major plot issues, or simply to move a story from point "a" to point "b".
-- giant robots are both the cause and the solution to almost every problem
MikeE21286
Member
The lack of Japan's interest in Kinect I think sealed Microsoft not caring about Japan (and vice versa)
The problem isnt microsoft, its the fact that even with japenese games in japan no one care about xbox.
Why would you pay to have an exclusive jrpg on xbox when you know at the end you will barely sold 10 000 copies in japan.
A lot of people have also associated ps3 with "jrpg". Just look at the nis game line up, they are all on ps3.
I dont think ms will win anything to have jrpg since its basicly a niche market outside of the japan.
Why would you pay to have an exclusive jrpg on xbox when you know at the end you will barely sold 10 000 copies in japan.
A lot of people have also associated ps3 with "jrpg". Just look at the nis game line up, they are all on ps3.
I dont think ms will win anything to have jrpg since its basicly a niche market outside of the japan.
fvng
Member
Correction. It is worth the effort, they just dropped the ball. Someone already posted a link to a Eurogamer article that details exactly how they botched the xbox launch in Japan. It's more complicated than merely hating foreigners.
A western company can penetrate the Japanese market, it just won't be Microsoft. I'm thinking Valve will, if they create a living room steambox that is as userfriendly as a console and with a hardware design that rivals Sony or Apple's best designs.
citation needed
They haven't ended, but the checks to Square are for the Eidos stuff instead.
The role playing games aren't that important, but they'll still pay for some exclusive content on RE, TR, etc.
I disagree based upon how the bigger titles always focus on the Microsoft platform. As long Microsoft's platform sells well in the US, Japanese companies have to run to Microsoft anyway.
A Human Becoming
More than a Member
I think the Kinect being unsuitable for the typical Japanese home was the bigger factor than lack of interest.
And yeah, Gaijin company.
I'd say yes. I believe MS decided a while back to focus on owning US market and using UK strength to try and spread into Europe better.
They made a decent attempt this gen but it clearly went nowhere and required a lot of money-hatting and paying for favours just to achieve weak sales - I can only image what the cost would be to achieve mediocre sales.
I figure they've decided their efforts are better spent trying to become dominant in West and hoping that position puts them in a better position to try again in Japan by default.
They made a decent attempt this gen but it clearly went nowhere and required a lot of money-hatting and paying for favours just to achieve weak sales - I can only image what the cost would be to achieve mediocre sales.
I figure they've decided their efforts are better spent trying to become dominant in West and hoping that position puts them in a better position to try again in Japan by default.
Yeah, if MS had any expectations for Kinect's success in Japan, they're completely out of their depth. I saw the Japanese Kinect release as being merely token, and just something that a big international company is expected to do.
I mean, all you had to do was look at the TGS displays for Kinect and have the most basic concept of a Japanese living room and you knew it never had a chance.
fvng
Member
it ain't that simple