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[fatgamecat]

I really liked the 360 early last gen with strong JRPG/Japan support. Even if most of those games eventually hit PS3, or were never localized. There's no sign of that happening this gen at all.

That's unfortunate, since it means less JRPGs overall than if MS was still funding games like Lost Odyssey, Infinite Undiscovery, Blue Dragon, etc.

It also means the JRPG audience on XB1 will be nearly non-existent.

 

[W.S.]

Why would someone buy an XB1 to play XB360 games?

If JRPG fans wanted to play those games, they'd buy a 360 on the cheap (or play the superior version of Last Remnant on PC), not a far more expensive system which won't get a single exclusive JRPG the entire generation.

I'm not saying it would be the main draw for the console in the Japanese market, I'm saying that having additional access to those JRPG's would be a great feature.

In that way the XBO can offer at least little more as an overall package.

 

[TomShoe]

Maybe Scalebound could turn the tide? It's platinum, GAF favorite dev team.

It's gonna do Wonderful 101/Bayonetta 2 numbers, I can tell you that.

Someone bookmark this post and remind me when I'm right.

 

[ZhugeEX]

I'm not saying it would be the main draw for the console in the Japanese market, I'm saying that having additional access to those JRPG's would be a great feature.

In that way the XBO can offer at least little more as an overall package.

A great feature that no one will use or care about enough to buy an XB1.

 

[bigbaldwolf86]

Why doesn't this thread have 'Shocking news' at the beginning?

 

[The Mad Draklor]

Obviously. By "no interest," I meant "not enough interest to matter."

The PSP version never came out in the west, so it being a remaster is pretty much irrelevant. I doubt most people even knew it was a PSP game.

Remaster or no remaster, I don't think it really matters when the XBO version of Type-0 couldn't even do the bare minimum in the US.

 

[yazanov]

sold 500,000 units/brought in $30,000,000 in revenue on XB360 in its first month within a single region.

1- How much net profit does Square Enix get out of those 500,000 sales though? Deduct the development cost, porting cost, marketing cost, sales and packaging, logistics, platform fee, and retail fee, and don't think its much considering the Xbox 360's userbase at that time. And I think the next FF will sell even less than 500K on the Xbox One since the userbase is less and the bulk of the multiplatfom game sell better on the PS4, and even more so when it comes to RPGs.

The question is, is porting FF on the Xbox one even worth it for SE?

2- Single region? Are you inferring that the Xbox One is relevant outside of the US and maybe the uk? Because its not. Outside of that "single region" the numbers are negligible anyways.

 

[seady]

I love the time when Microsoft worked hard to get Japanese support last gen.

Dead Rising, Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey, Lost Planet etc all made the 360 so special and attractive back then. It had a very healthy image at first even though it eventually turned into a Call of Duty bro shooter sports machine (which the XbOne started entirely as).

 

[W.S.]

A great feature that no one will use or care about enough to buy an XB1.

I don't disagree, I just think it's the easiest way for MS to make the console offer more in terms of JRPG content even if its on older titles.

Outside of Japan could be just as bad or better but it's certainly something that should be considered.

 

[Kama_1082]

It's gonna do Wonderful 101/Bayonetta 2 numbers, I can tell you that.

Someone bookmark this post and remind me when I'm right.

I really don't think anyone here gives a shit about your predictions, to be honest.

 

[The Mad Draklor]

I really don't think anyone here gives a shit about your predictions, to be honest.

But think of all the crow you can serve him if he's wrong!!

In all seriousness, TomShoe has a point. Bayonetta 2 is a good example of how high quality doesn't always equate to high sales.

 

[Kama_1082]

But think of all the crow you can serve him if he's wrong!!

In all seriousness, TomShoe has a point. Bayonetta 2 is a good example of how high quality doesn't always equate to high sales.

That would be the case if the Xbox one had Wii U sales.

 

[AmaterasuOni]

I really don't think anyone here gives a shit about your predictions, to be honest.

I do, because he's right.

 

[Shahed]

I checked the website and I found the following:

Lost Odyssey on Page 5
Tales of Vesperia on Page 6
Blue Dragon on Page 7
Nier on Page 14

Also, the amount of votes these games have received is nothing compared to the top voted ones.

Yeah. I think games should be ported to all platforms that can run the game without massive penalties. But if the the audience on the platform just simply does not care, then what's the point? I bought a 360 before a PS3 for the games listed aboved. This generation thus far has shown me no reason to get excited about an XB1 though. Neither Microsoft nor their fanbase seem to have the slightest interest in the genre.

 

[Imperfected]

That would be the case if the Xbox one had Wii U sales.

If he's talking about Japanese sales (which is likely), then you're absolutely right, but in the wrong direction. XB1 doesn't even have Wii-U sales in Japan. The "prediction" that Scalebound's Japanese sales are going to be tragic doesn't take much foresight.

 

[Percy]

A great feature that no one will use or care about enough to buy an XB1.

More or less. It's basically become the latest checkpoint for the chalkboard.

 

[Kama_1082]

If he's talking about Japanese sales (which is likely), then you're absolutely right, but in the wrong direction. XB1 doesn't even have Wii-U sales in Japan. The "prediction" that Scalebound's Japanese sales are going to be tragic doesn't take much foresight.

He's not talking about Japanese sales. He's saying that scalebound is going to have 101/bayonetta 2 level sales WW

 

[Imperfected]

He's not talking about Japanese sales. He's saying that scalebound is going to have 101/bayonetta 2 level sales WW

That's kind of an unusual assumption, considering this is a thread about Japan, and he was specifically replying to a post about how Scalebound might "turn things around" (for the XB1 in Japan).

 

[makingmusic476]

He's not talking about Japanese sales. He's saying that scalebound is going to have 101/bayonetta 2 level sales WW

It should be noted that a decent portion of Platinum's sales usually come from Japan. The assurance of virtually non-existent Japanese sales is a pretty big handicap on Scalebound's potential relative to Platinum's other titles, regardless of the XB1's performance in US/UK.

For awhile there I was concerned Scalebound could become Platinum's Lair, but given they've managed to somehow survive previous bombs while landing an ever growing number of development contracts, I'm sure they'll be alright in the end.

That's kind of an unusual assumption, considering this is a thread about Japan, and he was specifically replying to a post about how Scalebound might "turn things around" (for the XB1 in Japan).

The guy that said Scalebound might "turn the tide" was responding to a guy talking about the XB1's global JRPG audience, so they were likely referring to worldwide sales.

 

[The Mad Draklor]

He's not talking about Japanese sales. He's saying that scalebound is going to have 101/bayonetta 2 level sales WW

TomShoe actually never said worldwide, though. Since he replied to a reply to my question I posed, I should probably clear things up. I asked harSon whether the XBO JRPG fanbase will grow at the same pace as the PS4 JRPG fanbase, let alone grow in general. wapplew replied to me that Scalebound could "turn the tide", a notion TomShoe disagreed with.

Honestly, I thought I was being generous when I listed Scalebound along with FFXV and KH3 as Scalebound is more action adventure than RPG. It's even listed as an action/adventure game on the Xbox website.

 

[OrbitalBeard]

It's gonna do Wonderful 101/Bayonetta 2 numbers, I can tell you that.

Someone bookmark this post and remind me when I'm right.

It'll sell better than both. Unless you're talking Japan only, in which case, it'll probably sell worse.

 

[Caronte]

Obviously. By "no interest," I meant "not enough interest to matter."

I'm not sure I understand your point. Are you saying people that didn't bought a console for Type-0 will not buy a console for XV?

 

[Abdiel]

I really don't think anyone here gives a shit about your predictions, to be honest.

That would be the case if the Xbox one had Wii U sales.

Way to enter the thread with a spirit of contribution and open discussion.

Oh, wait. No. Way to join the conversation with a sense of defensive dismissal.

It is in fact fairly likely that Scalebound will fall directly in line with their other titles, Wii U or not. The install base for the XB1 has shown no signs of having invested interest in Japanese titles.

How well it will do remains to be seen, but it's not a far leap to predict Scalebound doing pretty badly by comparison.

 

[The Mad Draklor]

Way to enter the thread with a spirit of contribution and open discussion.

Oh, wait. No. Way to join the conversation with a sense of defensive dismissal.

It is in fact fairly likely that Scalebound will fall directly in line with their other titles, Wii U or not. The install base for the XB1 has shown no signs of having invested interest in Japanese titles.

How well it will do remains to be seen, but it's not a far leap to predict Scalebound doing pretty badly by comparison.

Hmmm, your post reminds me of the one you made 3 months ago.

Just from a retail perspective, Xbox customers don't ask about Japanese games. They're never asking about them; and I'm not even saying every Sony customer is asking about them, but it's still a good chunk of their base.

 

[LiquidSolid]

I'm not sure I understand your point. Are you saying people that didn't bought a console for Type-0 will not buy a console for XV?

I'm saying more Xbone owners will obviously buy XV than Type-0 but not enough to be significant. We'll still be looking at 90+% of sales on PS4.

Also, are people really talking about Scalebound as if it's destined to be anything other than a bomba? It might do better than W101/Bayonetta 2 but that's not saying much. The Xbone user base wasn't even up for something like Sunset Overdrive, let alone an over-the-top, wacky Platinum game.

 

[Elfstruck]

It'll sell better than both. Unless you're talking Japan only, in which case, it'll probably sell worse.

We still don't know anything about this game. How do you know it will sell better?

 

[prwxv3]

I cant believe there are still people that have not admitted that the xbone does not have a japanese game buying audience.

 

[Imperfected]

We still don't know anything about this game. How do you know it will sell better?

It's a general assumption based on the fact that Wii-U exclusive Platinum titles did numbers that are hard not to beat, and even under-performing exclusives on PS4/XB1 have generally done far better than either.

I do think there's an implicit understanding that the statement includes "... provided it actually releases and isn't delayed for years on end due to needing major restructuring or other shenanigans", though. As long as it comes out on time and isn't a Colonial Marines-size catastrophe, it should have a much larger (and at least somewhat more receptive) install base to sell to in North America than W101.

 

[prwxv3]

If you really want japanese console games get a PS4. If you bought a xbone for those games you fucked up.

 

[Tain]

If you really want japanese console games get a PS4. If you bought a xbone for those games you fucked up.

what if I want Raiden V and Scalebound tho

 

[prwxv3]

Mm, no, I think you're wrong. I'm speaking purely from retail perspective here; Across just the one district, XV has over 300 preorders on the PS4, and 10 on the XB1, and KH3 has over 200 on the PS4 and 10 on the XB1. I wouldn't be surprised if those 10 are the same on both games.

The US is the primary market for the XB1, yes indeed, but the audience buying the system isn't showing any consumption of Japanese games, or even broadcasting forward reaching interest in them. These companies do use preorders as a metric for showing potential interest, you know.

Last generation, the market for the 360 and PS3 was very different, the impression in the US was a significant disparity. That doesn't exist now, and we've seen a minimizing of what demographics are buying which console. Rather than a console for a wide range of games that the 360 still sold to, it's largely become just shooters, racing, sports, and the huge multi-plats like Assassin's Creed.

What insight we're getting is that Japanese publishers are trying to push the PS4 even more now. Microsoft showing up at TGS would be irrelevant anyway. They have no market power or pressure for Japanese influence, less so than ever before.

I know its only one district but holy shit.

 

[Etnos]

I cant believe there are still people that have not admitted that the xbone does not have a japanese game buying audience.

More importantly, does that audience matter anymore?

Seems to me outside neogaf the thirst for japaenes video games has gone significantly low. The only sale hit I can think of the last 5-7 years are the Souls-like game... and then those don't even get close to blockbusters like COD or GTA.

I mean are we going to pretend Final Fantasy is the Marquee title it used to be 10 years ago? not even close.

 

[Abdiel]

Hmmm, your post reminds me of the one you made 3 months ago.

That was before E3, obviously... But since then, the statement is even more valid. We've already got a bunch of pre-orders for the vii remake, star ocean v, and so on. Ps4 owners have asked quite a bit about those announced games, the array of Japanese titles. And if you use e3 as a consideration, the Japanese publishers have already set down their gameplan.

The ps4 is the chosen system for Japanese titles, by both customers and publishers. That's a self sustaining cycle, which only gets more distinct as time goes on.

This isn't a matter of being against the xb1 getting those titles. I'm not rooting for them leaving that platform. It's just the market reality. If the fanbase chose a platform, and those publishers choose to cater toto that specific platform, it's not like they do so lightly. It's a business matter. They clearly don't consider porting to the xb1 to be worthwhile.

I'd assume that ms choosing to not show up at tgs is just a consequence of that. They don't think the costs of trying to convince them otherwise would bear meaningful fruit.

 

[TomShoe]

Didn't think I'd cause this much discussion. While I admit that second quip was unnecessary, I stand by my prediction. Unless Scalebound becomes a critical darling, I don't think it'll sell enough to make a noticeable impact in sales. The demographics this game is targeting just doesn't match up with the average Xbox One owner. The Xbox One base is becoming increasingly American, and it's been proven time and time again that Xbox owners buy the mainstream games in force and ignore everything else.

How do I know this? Look at the NPD sales each month. Xbox One tends to beat PS4 in many mainstream titles, especially shooters. Remember Battlefield Hardline? It had PS4 marketing, and still sold better on Xbox. It was a mainstream shooter. Evolve last February? Mainstream shooter, sold better on Xbox. Minecraft and Call of Duty on Xbox have been continuing to outpace their competing PS versions for quite some time now, and will probably continue to do so, even with Activision & Sony's new deal. Meanwhile, Forza Horizon 2 didn't even chart. Final Fantasy Type-0 sold pitifully low. I would wager Sunset Overdrive hasn't even broken 1 Million yet. The market just isn't there, they're on the other side where the grass is greener, at least in that aspect.

 

[DNAbro]

More importantly, does that audience matter anymore?

Seems to me outside neogaf the thirst for japaenes video games has gone significantly low. The only sale hit I can think of the last 5-7 years are the Souls-like game... and then those don't even get close to blockbusters like COD or GTA.

I mean are we going to pretend Final Fantasy is the Marquee title it used to be 10 years ago? not even close.

Final Fantasy still has tons of selling power. XIII did actually sell well and I feel like FFXIV is one of the few MMOs as of late that doesn't need to think about going F2P or buy once. The audience isn't absolutely huge for Japanese games but it does add up.

 

[ZhugeEX]

I'm going to get so much shit for this post... but here goes.

In my opinion, the majority of Xbox gamers fit into the "dude bro", "America fuck yeah" and "COD and Madden" demographic.

The overwhelming majority don't know what Japanese games are or would be willing to buy them.

(awaits backlash)

 

[W.S.]

Didn't think I'd cause this much discussion. While I admit that second quip was unnecessary, I stand by my prediction. Unless Scalebound becomes a critical darling, I don't think it'll sell enough to make a noticeable impact in sales. The demographics this game is targeting just doesn't match up with the average Xbox One owner. The Xbox One base is becoming increasingly American, and it's been proven time and time again that Xbox owners buy the mainstream games in force and ignore everything else.

How do I know this? Look at the NPD sales each month. Xbox One tends to beat PS4 in many mainstream titles, especially shooters. Remember Battlefield Hardline? It had PS4 marketing, and still sold better on Xbox. It was a mainstream shooter. Evolve last February? Mainstream shooter, sold better on Xbox. Minecraft and Call of Duty on Xbox have been continuing to outpace their competing PS versions for quite some time now, and will probably continue to do so, even with Activision & Sony's new deal. Meanwhile, Forza Horizon 2 didn't even chart. Final Fantasy Type-0 sold pitifully low. I would wager Sunset Overdrive hasn't even broken 1 Million yet. The market just isn't there, they're on the other side where the grass is greener, at least in that aspect.

NPD's are only one half of the data though, they don't take into account digital which is becoming more accepted as a delivery method for these systems.

 

[FranXico]

I'm going to get so much shit for this post... but here goes.

In my opinion, the majority of Xbox gamers fit into the "dude bro", "America fuck yeah" and "COD and Madden" demographic.

Yeh, that's a negative comment.

"Dude bros" simply buy whatever is the most popular at the moment, because all they care about is Call of Duty and FIFA. I don't know why does that necessarily tie into the Xbox brand.

 

[TomShoe]

NPD's are only one half of the data though, they don't take into account digital which is becoming more accepted as a delivery method for these systems.

Unless digital makes up a huge portion of game sales for one platform and not the other, I doubt it'd be enough to move the needle either way.

"Dude bros" simply buy whatever is the most popular at the moment, because all they care about is Call of Duty and FIFA. I don't know why does that necessarily tie into the Xbox brand.

Because it's (mostly) the truth, and the data is there to back up that claim.

 

[Abdiel]

I'm going to get so much shit for this post... but here goes.

In my opinion, the majority of Xbox gamers fit into the "dude bro", "America fuck yeah" and "COD and Madden" demographic.

The overwhelming majority don't know what Japanese games are or would be willing to buy them.

(awaits backlash)

Lol. I mean, I can understand why you'll get crap for it, but is it really that different from what I've said repeatedly about the retail trends? Not only that, we've seen the NPD, and (Is it GFK?) reports for overseas... And the games that sell well on the platform seem to be those general titles. Those and the big multi plats, like AC and such, are what are selling on the system.

It's interesting, seeing how GAF reacts to stuff, because games like Horizon 2 and Sunset Overdrive sound like really great games, but they just don't do well. Interesting, but unfortunate.

 

[prwxv3]

I don't know why FF15 and KH3 are still used as evidence that japanese third parties will have their games one Xbone. Those games were planned for the system before the success of the PS4 and the failure of the Xbone to capture the audience that buys those games. Xbone owners that enjoy those games better pray that they do well enough to recoup the costs of the xbone version or the japanese support of the console will completely flatline.

 

[ZhugeEX]

Lol. I mean, I can understand why you'll get crap for it, but is it really that different from what I've said repeatedly about the retail trends? Not only that, we've seen the NPD, and (Is it GFK?) reports for overseas... And the games that sell well on the platform seem to be those general titles. Those and the big multi plats, like AC and such, are what are selling on the system.

It's interesting, seeing how GAF reacts to stuff, because games like Horizon 2 and Sunset Overdrive sound like really great games, but they just don't do well. Interesting, but unfortunate.

Yeh, I guess it's because of how direct I was in that post. I was basically trying to get across the point that the majority of Xbox gamers buy the console for Halo, COD and Madden and thats about it.

 

[B_Boss]

This is definitely not surprising but honestly? I'd love to see strong Japanese support for XB but that certainly is wishful thinking and XB is not my primary gaming platform. I guess the idea of more competition is always nice.

 

[W.S.]

Unless digital makes up a huge portion of game sales for one platform and not the other, I doubt it'd be enough to move the needle either way.

It's becoming a bigger factor for both consoles, Ubisoft just recently said that it's boosted their earnings so it's not hard to imagine that being the case for more publishers including Microsoft.

Digital sales just aren't as easy to track because publishers don't always divulge that data publicly.

 

[W.S.]

I'm going to get so much shit for this post... but here goes.

In my opinion, the majority of Xbox gamers fit into the "dude bro", "America fuck yeah" and "COD and Madden" demographic.

The overwhelming majority don't know what Japanese games are or would be willing to buy them.

(awaits backlash)

Maybe?

I'm sure a good portion of that "Shooter box" crowd has carried over from various areas like hardcore 360 fans migrating over to the One or the system being used for certain exclusives like Halo. Shooters are popular amongst both consoles though so it's not necessarily just an Xbox thing.

I suppose I'd be more of an atypical XBO owner according to that though and even my friends network on XBL play games like Sunset, Witcher 2, Batman, FF Type-0, and Horizon 2. For me as a fan of JRPG's the reason I didn't buy Type 0 was because one it didn't have a demo and two I found it to be a little too overpriced so I would have preferred something more budget conscious.

If it goes on sale though for about $35'ish I'm definitely picking it up.

 

[TomShoe]

Maybe?

I'm sure a good portion of that "Shooter box" crowd has carried over from various areas like hardcore 360 fans migrating over to the One or the system being used for certain exclusives like Halo. Shooters are popular amongst both consoles though so it's not necessarily just an Xbox thing.

I suppose I'd be more of an atypical XBO owner according to that though and even my friends network on XBL play games like Sunset, Witcher 2, Batman, FF Type-0, and Horizon 2. For me as a fan of JRPG's the reason I didn't buy Type 0 was because one it didn't have a demo and two I found it to be a little too overpriced so I would have preferred something more budget conscious.

If it goes on sale though for about $35'ish I'm definitely picking it up.

wish granted

 

[Rymuth]

More importantly, does that audience matter anymore?

Seems to me outside neogaf the thirst for japaenes video games has gone significantly low. The only sale hit I can think of the last 5-7 years are the Souls-like game... and then those don't even get close to blockbusters like COD or GTA.

I mean are we going to pretend Final Fantasy is the Marquee title it used to be 10 years ago? not even close.

You honestly can’t see the irony in your post?

You’re saying Xbox should focus only on AAA-buying audience but that’s exactly what they did. The result? Every other player base (Japanese audience, the indie audience, the janky European game buying audience etc) all flooded to Playstation. By themselves, each is a small segment of the market but together they all add up which grants Playstation the bigger playerbase that allows it to snag COD and AAA exclusivity.

Funny how that works out.

There is no upside to saying "Well, who needs audience X anyway!"

 

[W.S.]

wish granted

Thanks but I switched to all digital lol.

 

[ZhugeEX]

Maybe?

I'm sure a good portion of that "Shooter box" crowd has carried over from various areas like hardcore 360 fans migrating over to the One or the system being used for certain exclusives like Halo. Shooters are popular amongst both consoles though so it's not necessarily just an Xbox thing.

What I'm trying to say is that the Xbox Install base has an overwhelming majority of "Dude Bro" type gamers. PlayStation does as well of course but it's nowhere near the same number relative to install base. The PlayStation install base has much varied type of gamers with no one majority.

I guess what I'm saying is that the majority of Xbox gamers are the type of gamers that buy the same console with their friends just to play the same shooter/sports game. Basically they won't buy other games or systems because they're just semi casuals who have been bought in by Microsofts shooter/sports advertising and they don't know any better and are not cultured like gamers on other systems like PlayStation.


Yeh.... I'm going to get so much shit for these posts. Maybe I'm being too extreme. But if you can't tell I'm not a fan of the Xbox game business as I don't think Microsoft have done much good in recent years for the game industry. Especially with the stuff they tried to do with Xbox One. Good to see that a lot of gamers saw sense and chose PlayStation over Xbox this gen, and for good reason too.

 

[twinturbo2]

What about Tekken 7 and next Resident evil? Those very unlikely to skip Xbox one right?

If Tekken 7 and RE7 both skip X1, I would get a little angry over it.

I don't expect it to happen, though.

With all this talk about Japanese games on X1, I'm curious as to how Scalebound will sell.