Japan launch of Microsoft Xbox One falls flat

Nuno Lopes,

Obviously I'm a gamer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_gaming_in_Japan

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/9159905.stm

In 2002, it is estimated that Japan accounted for nearly 50% of the world's gaming market. That has now fallen to around 10% and without Nintendo, with the success of the Wii console, the figure would be even lower - around 8%.

That's from a well-known Japanese game developer.

As for "Foreign game companies already realize not to expect anything from Japan." - here again, you are mistaken. Just ask Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Bulgari, Ferrari, BMW, Mercedes Benz etc.

Let me know when those companies become game developers.

lortrune2, you obviously have no idea what you are talking about! if you mean that videogame market is not held by Japanese companies like in the old days with Sega and Nintendo, yes. but you say that Japan only represents "10% of the global gaming market" - you are totally mistaken. Japan, on its own sells more videogames than the entire EU zone and is very close in numbers to sales made in north America at population ratio. No wonder WHY Microsoft is still keep trying to have its XBoxes in Japanese stores shelves. As for "Foreign game companies already realize not to expect anything from Japan." - here again, you are mistaken. Just ask Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Bulgari, Ferrari, BMW, Mercedes Benz etc. (I could keep going for several pages ... and not only mentioning luxury brands/makers) - Japan IS a major and important market for any respectable world wide company eager for success. Not just the "cherry on top of..." whatever. But its a very diffucult market - probably the most diffucult one (with the US) - as Japanese customers are very demanding and dont forget/forgive mistakes very often. Thats why Microsoft is having a hard time with their xboxes, as they always manage to screw customers by not selling a finished product according to the higher expectations of Japanese customers.

Foreign game companies already realize not to expect anything from Japan. Any success in Japan is just cherry on top of icing on the cake for them. But they can afford to - Japan now only consist just ~10% of the global gaming market (down from ~40% in the days of Nintendo/Sega/Playstation in the 1990s).

with just one buyer at a major electronic retailer in Tokyo.

That's why it's called xBox ONE.

Ha ha! Yet, people still complain about Apple products being tied to iTunes. This 'Konnect' is utter rubbish and only serves to limit the amount of freedom you get with an Xbox. If Xbox didn't have Halo it would have followed the Zune years ago. Do you remember the Zune? Of course you don't! Nobody does!

You can buy the XBox One without the Connect. And for the record, not only do I remember the Zune, it still powers the music in my 3-year old mid-size Buick Regal. I haven't had a single complaint with my Zune.

That said, I don't own an Xbox One (nor a Sony PS4) and don't plan on owning one. The reviews were similar to the Wii U in that the XBox One didn't really offer anything unique in the way of games. The Wii U was just another platform for the Mario franchise and the XBox One was just another way to play HALO.

well Xbox had a confusing launch- aimed not at gamers, also has lower specs that will show as the titles mature- unless programmers are paid to program at lower spec only.

but i think you'll see the PS4 getting additional graphics ability that are just not available to the Xbox- abd the power of an APU with DDR5 is not going to be seen in the xbox with an apu and ddr3.

so if you are looking for true Next Gen - it is the PS4- not the Xbox one - Xbox one equates to low end PC of today- PS4 is equal to mid level gaming PC

The lead of this story was written several months ago.

hahaha microsoft FAIL!

Why would you launch this on a Thursday anyway? The vast majority of people are at work - they have to be in order to earn enough salary to pay for this monstrosity!

PS4 allllll the way!

I opted for a PS3 in the last gen. Noticed that I only liked some sort of games and mostly Japanese with the excemption of fallout3. I would love a pokenon series in the Sony. Jajaja maybe a mario. Sad truth

Lol @ console peasants.

USA USA USA Ouch

Go PS4!!!! Xbox SUCKS!!!

Xbox nOne

This problem would be solved if we players from japan had the independence of chooseing server we foreigner living in japan would love to play with our friends in other country or back home town but no consoles can't do that so either it's PC

Get US version and/or VPN? Either way, I'm sure foreigners in Japan is not Microsoft's top priority...

This problem would be solved if we players from japan had the independence of chooseing server we foreigner living in japan would love to play with our friends in other country or back home town but no consoles can't do that so either it's PC

Who wants a MIcrosoft gaming console in Japan? The services they offered on the XBox 360 were very limited in Japan, mostly available to USA. And the next gen console portrays itself as being the center of entertainment in the living room with Internet services as its attractive features, that probably won't available in Japan. My XBox360 died three times and after the first time, the repairs cost 1万円 each time. So yeah, there's no way I'm getting another Microsoft gaming console.

Ha ha! Yet, people still complain about Apple products being tied to iTunes. This 'Konnect' is utter rubbish and only serves to limit the amount of freedom you get with an Xbox. If Xbox didn't have Halo it would have followed the Zune years ago. Do you remember the Zune? Of course you don't! Nobody does!

Only 40000 without connect. You don't need Konnect.

The price tag of almost 60000 yen doesn't help either.

excluding consumption tax or....bargain price?

Wow no people waiting in line. That is extremely rare. The price tag of almost 60000 yen doesn't help either.