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[ComputerMKII]

Not a single person answered Xbox, Microsoft is gonna have a hard time selling their console in Japan

Though the PlayStation 4 comes out in Japan next February and the Xbox One doesn't have a specific release date here, this Tokyo Game Show is all about the showdown between these two consoles. So, on the first day TGS was open to the public, we asked folks which one they plan to buy.

Thirty-two responses later, we had one very clear answer.

Now keep in mind this is a completely unscientific poll and should be taken with a large grain of salt. We just walked up to people at random as asked if we could get them to weigh-in. (In fact, we approached nearly 70 people in total—and the majority of them were so camera shy that they waved us away before we could even ask the question.)

http://kotaku.com/ps4-or-xbox-one-we-poll-the-tokyo-game-show-1360719713

 

[RulkezX]

*Shocking news* needed in thread title.

 

[Snakeyes]

In other breaking news, water is wet.

 

[BrokenEchelon]

I still can't believe they're even bothering with a Japanese release.

 

[Impeccable]

But they have the TV guide ready for launch, wtf?

 

[VGChampion]

One guy will buy either depending on where the games are. A lot say neither.

Was expecting 100% PS4 based on this thread.

 

[PotionBleue]

It would've been a bit more interesting if they included Wii U.

 

[Bailers]

Microsoft didn't really show up at TGS did they? I know they were there, but I really can't remember hearing anything about the xbone or 360 this week.

 

[IAmRandom31]

This just in, the sun rose this morning .....

MS pushed hard in Japan with the 360. Buying up Mistwalker exclusives, getting Dead Rising from Capcom, quirky games from Rare like Viva Pinata, Panzar Dragoon Orta, Project Silpheed title, Final Fantasy, etc.

Still managed to sell next to nothing ( 1m overall? )

Absolutely nothing they could do this generation for Japanese folk / Asian folk to plop down 500$ for a Xbox One.

 

[HellsimusPrime]

That last response sums up the Xbox brand in Japan.

 

[Bedameister]

Angie, pack deine Brüste ein!

 

[SolsticeZero]

It would've been a bit more interesting if they included Wii U.

They only included next gen consoles

Spoiler

I kid, I kid

 

[SystemsGo]

Hope Worst Not Situation.

 

[ComputerMKII]

It would've been a bit more interesting if they included Wii U.

 

[DBT85]

Entirely unsurprising news.

 

[ComputerMKII]

Microsoft didn't really show up at TGS did they? I know they were there, but I really can't remember hearing anything about the xbone or 360 this week.

Titanfall was there.

 

[Batigol]

Japanese console more popular in Japan you say?

 

[Prince Vultan]

I lost it at the little kid asking the interviewer "What's an Xbox?"

 

[TrueGrime]

Next.

 

[Chobel]

A better question: Do you plan to buy any console?

Consoles are dead in Japan.

 

[Mikey Jr.]

This thing will sell even worse than the 360. At least MS tried last gen with the 360. They had a lot of good RPGs and really made a push for Japan. Now the xbone is worse than that. Ms genuinely shouldn't bother with Japan.

 

[ymmv]

This thing will sell even worse than the 360. At least MS tried last gen with the 360. They had a lot of good RPGs and really made a push for Japan. Now the xbone is worse than that. Ms genuinely shouldn't bother with Japan.

Yep. It's an absolute waste of time and money. MS tried to moneyhat the way to success in Japan, failed and completely disbanded that effort after just three years. Why would any Japanese gamer trust that company anymore?

 

[zerokoolpsx]

A little surprised for those that answered neither. Then why are you at TGS lol? Oh well. That little kid is cute. "What is an Xbox?" lol

 

[gigantor21]

A better question: Do you plan to buy any console?

Consoles are dead in Japan.

I wish they'd asked "do you plan to buy a next gen console ASAP?"

Those neither choices were interesting. I wish they'd asked them what they hadn't seen yet to change their minds. Also, LOL @ the kid at the end.

 

[benny_a]

Nobody answered "Max Scoville-san" :-(

A little surprised for those that answered neither. Then why are you at TGS lol? Oh well. That little kid is cute. "What is an Xbox?" lol

Consoles are not really big in Japan any more. Don't they understand that they shouldn't be having fun with the shit 3DS graphics? Stop having fun Japan!

 

[rjinaz]

Japanese console more popular in Japan you say?

Japanese console more popular in America you say?

The PS4 is arguably more popular right now in America after all and certainly if you asked random people in America, at least some would say PS4 and Xbox both. I know different markets, but still the comment made me giggle.

 

[Kyoufu]

In other news, Bear enjoys eating a fine Salmon cuisine.

 

[Usobuko]

That kid at the end made the interviewers laughed.

 

[DJwest]

So TGS is over right? Dear god is it the worst ever? Where new games even announced? Did I miss something major apart from the MGS5 demos and the Deep Down f2p megaton ?

Japanese console more popular in America you say?

The PS4 is arguably more popular right now in America after all and certainly if you asked random people in America, at least some would say PS4 and Xbox both. I know different markets, but still the comment made me giggle.

The X1 will sell extremely well in the US.

 

[Liamario]

It's not really shocking to be fair. Xbox One is dead on arrival in Japan and I suspect the PS4 is winning purely by default.

 

[LQX]

Yep. It's an absolute waste of time and money. MS tried to moneyhat the way to success in Japan, failed and completely disbanded that effort after just three years. Why would any Japanese gamer trust that company anymore?

Why would MS even bother with that market anymore is better question. They at least tried. Japan could give a fuck though they clearly had the more appealing games for years. I blame the Japanese gamers for RPGs almost going to shit as they refused to support them on 360 though it had some great titles.

 

[ComputerMKII]

This thing will sell even worse than the 360. At least MS tried last gen with the 360. They had a lot of good RPGs and really made a push for Japan. Now the xbone is worse than that. Ms genuinely shouldn't bother with Japan.

Microsoft just shot themselves in the foot.

I don't know how much the rest of you know about Japanese culture (I'm an expert), but honor and shame are huge parts of it. It's not like it is in America where you can become successful by being an asshole. If you screw someone over in Japan, you bring shame to yourself, and the only way to get rid of that shame is repentance.

What this means is the japanese public, after hearing about this, is not going to want to purchase the Xbone, nor will they purchase any of Microsoft's games. This is HUGE. You can laugh all you want, but M$ has alienated an entire market with this move.

Microsoft, publicly apologize and cancel the Xbox One in Japan or you can kiss your business goodbye.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

Someone should make a GIF of that kid at the end and then transition that to the picture of the guy pointing and laughing at the original Xbox.

 

[DSveno]

Japanese console more popular in Japan you say?

They actually like Titanfall if you don't know. It's just that the Xbone is what they hate.

 

[Busty]

No one answered Xbone?

In Japan?!

Yeah this isn't a thing.

 

[Respawn]

Someone should make a GIF of that kid at the end and then transition that to the picture of the guy pointing and laughing at the original Xbox.

That was to cute haha

No one answered Xbone?

In Japan?!

Yeah this isn't a thing.

I remembered when you wrote the post in your tag. Everytime I read it I fall out laughing. You're something bro lol

 

[Psycho_Mantis]

RIP Xbone-tan.

 

[Busty]

They actually like Titanfall if you don't know. It's just that the Xbone is what they hate.

Of course they like it. They have seen it.









I'm sorry. I'm really sorry.#shame

 

[88random]

lol, that last response. Sums it up pretty well.

 

[Racer30]

Yep. It's an absolute waste of time and money. MS tried to moneyhat the way to success in Japan, failed and completely disbanded that effort after just three years. Why would any Japanese gamer trust that company anymore?

They moneyhat in any market they are in. I now what they are rumored to do with Xbox One, pay to hold performance back on a competing platform.

Why would anyone trust that company anymore!? Pfff I really hate that company

 

[ffdgh]

....Good luck with that MS

 

[Mondriaan]

It's possible that some or all of the 38 people who want the Xbone don't want to be caught on camera saying that. Not saying that it's likely, but I'm saying that it's possible.

 

[Shanks D Zoro]

Clearly the Japanese haven't heard the tv feature news.

 

[Baleoce]

"What's an xbox?"

 

[$h@d0w]

XBOX WA NANE?

sooo cuuuteeeee

 

[lucius]

At least they tried with 360 they got some decent exlusive games that should have done better for the system there. So why should MS waste time and money now trying to cater to them when they won't support it.

 

[Psycho_Mantis]

Holy shit that kid at the end ethered Xbox.

 

[Ken Masters]

I'm sure MS is really worried about losing the Japanese market to Sony

 

[jaaz]

 

[Nightengale]

At least they tried with 360 they got some decent exlusive games that should have done better for the system there. So why should MS waste time and money now trying to cater to them when they won't support it.

Logically, while the console market in Japan is definitely a factor for concern, it's still a relatively healthy gaming market, where there are a growing acceptance towards western games.

Japan is still rather lucrative, all things considered, and it would be dumb for any company to abandon the Japan market, at least for the next few years.

All things being said, Japan is still one of the gaming markets where a large amount of consumers have no issues spending a lot of money to buy games. That on its own makes Japan still worthwhile to invest in.

I'm sure MS is really worried about losing the Japanese market to Sony

That's the less important pie in the equation.

Imagine if all the Japanese devs decide that they shouldn't even bother supporting Xbox, if Sony's platforms have enough of an install base globally. ( especially if PS4 can establish itself as a leading console early-on )

Being in Japan matters even if just as a show. The elephant-in-the-room for Japanese devs to not want to support Xbox is always there.