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[ClearData]

I read this article over at Venturebeat by Jeff Grubbs and a few lines were telling.

And refocusing on the West makes a ton of sense for Sony when you consider that Japan is just not that into console games anymore.

Macquarie Securities analyst David Gibson points out that Sony has sold approximately 36 million PS4s worldwide, but only 2 million of that total comes from Japan. Now, Sony is matching the shrinking interest of Japanese gamers. This is not to say that SIE will abandon Japan, but it is more likely going to consider that region in a secondary or even tertiary way. -Jeff Grubbs

Source

On one hand the writing has been on the wall for quite a long time. Mobile revenue has climbed higher and higher and console sales have stagnated over the years. But Sony shifting the majority of the Playstation brain trust over to the west probably represents an acknowledgement that Playstation's future does not involve Japan. As the article hints at.

So will fans of Japanese games migrate to iOS, Android, PC? What might that look like for the holdouts? Will the (I assume) mobile portion of the NX change things or is it too late? Might handhelds still be able to carve out a foothold?

Thoughts?

 

[Hasemo]

Probably not much will change - PS4 has been Western-centric from day 1, don't forget that it released in Japan half a year later than in the West. PS Now took a while to come here, same with PS2 classics on the PS4.

 

[SMattera]

With a few exceptions (Metal Gear Solid), Japanese console games really haven't been relevant in more than a decade. If most of the games you play are Japanese, you're far from the typical gamer.

 

[SFenton]

I imagine that many popular games in Japan will begin being exclusively homed on iOS and Android. It's an interesting scenario for AAA Japanese development, which IIRC is also an already dwindling sector of the gaming world.

IIRC Nintendo is still more successful than Sony there, and Microsoft is of course a nonexistent blip on the radar. Consoles aren't done yet but I imagine that they will be by the time the next generation rolls around- and if not, by the time the next generation has ended.

 

[CrispyBoar]

If most of the games you play are Japanese, you're far from the typical gamer.

You're looking at one of them right here. And I've been playing games since the Arcades/NES days.

I like Western games as well, but it'll be hard for me to move on without Japanese games involved.

 

[ZombiePlatypus]

I'd wait and see how the glut of Japanese console games that SE and Sony are pushing perform before calling it over.

That and how the NX performs, assuming it has a console aspect to it.

 

[Hands of Stone]

Handheld wise it's gonna be all Nintendo from here on out, I doubt we'll ever see a successor to the Vita.

 

[ugh_the_boot]

I hope not, they still make my fave games over in Japan so i'm really hoping they

Spoiler

From Software

stick around a bit longer.

 

[JeffGrubb]

This is not just a Sony thing. Look at Konami.

 

[Omnistalgic]

I was thinking of making a thread after reading that article as well. My title would have been "Would a $150 console sell in Japan?"

Some things I tend to notice is that Japan's gaming market doesn't move on from consoles/platforms as quickly as other regions. So the rumored Nintendo form factor of a portable and console sharing the same development tools might not be a bad idea.

In Sony's case, perhaps releasing a slim, cheap PS4 in the future and a PSP2 which is essentially a portable PS4 (cheaper/weaker) might not be the worse strategy for that specific region.

 

[yurinka]

Lol, no. PS4 is just starting to get the big sellers, and specially will come during 2016 and 2017. WiiU didn't sell as expected but due to Nintendo's fault. MS never existed there. Digital game sales are rising. Consoles aren't dying.

 

[GootecksShimmy]

*shrug* Maybe the JP developers worth two stones can just come to the USA and keep on pumping out good stuff. Or be owned and funded out of the USA, but remain working in their country of origin.

Either way just because one part of the world has less sales, or abandons consoles altogether, doesn't mean they are "seeing the future."

It may be THEIR future and they can keep doing their own thing. The rest of us can keep on enjoying our console experiences.

 

[AmyS]

Only one way to save Japanese console industry. Some company must bring out the modern day equivalent of:

 

[StoopKid]

Lol, no. PS4 is just starting to get the big sellers, and specially will come during 2016 and 2017. WiiU didn't sell as expected but due to Nintendo's fault. MS never existed there. Digital game sales are rising. Consoles aren't dying.

Ps4 isn't selling amazing but it's sells are decent and it still getting a ton of support.

 

[Shenmue]

I dunno the Japanese support on the horizon for the PS4 is actually stronger than what the PS3 got, so I'm not that worried at the moment.

 

[SFenton]

In Sony's case, perhaps releasing a slim, cheap PS4 in the future and a PSP2 which is essentially a portable PS4 (cheaper/weaker) might not be the worse strategy for that specific region.

The former will almost assuredly happen.

The latter will almost assuredly never, ever, ever happen.

 

[JeffGrubb]

Lol, no. PS4 is just starting to get the big sellers, and specially will come during 2016 and 2017. WiiU didn't sell as expected but due to Nintendo's fault. MS never existed there. Digital game sales are rising. Consoles aren't dying.

To clarify, I never said consoles are "dying" in Japan. I just said that Japan doesn't matter for console sales for Sony anymore. I may be overstating the case in the headline, but I think the actions back it up.

 

[Sterok]

Nintendo's console games still do well. Splatoon, Mario Kart 8, Mario Maker, etc all did pretty well (taking into consideration that the Wii U is a non-factor worldwide). So it's not impossible to sell them in Japan. The third parties now need to step up their game and create enough popular PS4 games that actually sell well there, and consoles will probably be able to remain stable at least.

 

[Abriael]

I may be overstating the case in the headline

Indeed you are. That's honestly some rather heavy clickbait.

Incidentally, Wii U, PS4 and PS Vita just had the biggest holiday season in Japan since their release, and by a very long shot.

Considering the Japanese games coming for PS4 in the next year or so, the article seems to be pretty much entirely out of touch, and not just in the headline.

Should have researched better, and kept the headline more grounded instead of going for the clickbait.

 

[Cynn]

With a few exceptions (Metal Gear Solid), Japanese console games really haven't been relevant in more than a decade. If most of the games you play are Japanese, you're far from the typical gamer.

Well that WAS the typical gamer who grew up in the 90's and most of us still play games so nostalga and being the only generation outside of Japan to love Japanese games makes it a loss. I play more western games today but I've got a big soft spot for some types of Japanese games... Not really the ones most popular there now though like visual novels and throwback RPGs.

 

[zeorhymer]

It seems that internally, mobile has taken root in Japan. With a large success outside of Japan for the PS4, there's no reason not to capitalize on that PS4 profit. Sony has a great product that is worth exporting.

 

[The Mad Draklor]

To clarify, I never said consoles are "dying" in Japan. I just said that Japan doesn't matter for console sales for Sony anymore. I may be overstating the case in the headline, but I think the actions back it up.

You made a few fair points, but I think console viability in Japan is still important for Sony, especially when it comes to 3rd party relations. In addition, the PS4 is outperforming the PS3 launch aligned and it was behind its predecessor for several months. With amount of Japanese software the PS4 is getting this month, it should continue to sell better than the PS3.

 

[orochi91]

Indeed you are. That's honestly some rather heavy clickbait.

Incidentally, Wii U, PS4 and PS Vita just had the biggest holiday season in Japan since their release, and by a very long shot.

Considering the Japanese games coming for PS4 in the next year or so, the article seems to be pretty much entirely out of touch, and not just in the headline.

+1

 

[Ushay]

Japanese developers building games for the west. That's how I read it.

Games like Scalebound, Recore and FF15 show this with their western influences. Can't complain really

 

[JoseLopez]

Well it certainly means Japanese development has to globalize (which devs like atlus and marvelous are doing) and the quality has to be much higher since competition in the west is much fierce which could lead to a few Japanese devs having hard time i.e sega for like the last decade. Consoles in Japan are a niche just like stereos are in the west which means demand does exist for smaller devs but publishers like sega are probably not gonna make aaa games ever unless a bigger publisher helps them.

 

[Snakeyes]

Aging population + stigma of playing video games as an adult + long work hours and commute = declining home console sales.

I have a hard time imagining consoles making a significant comeback over there unless Japan goes through a series of societal shifts in the next decade.

 

[WolvenOne]

I don't think console gaming is done in Japan just yet, but I think it'll be a secondary concern for console publishers for the next few years. Thing is, there are indications that the mobile gold rush in Japan is starting to hit it's peak, and the PS4/NX are going to be around for at least another 3-4 years, probably longer. These platforms will become more affordable to own for Japanese consumers, and eventually people who want a somewhat more premium gaming experience will pick them up in Japan.

This isn't to say that I expect the PS4 to do gangbusters in Japan, but I would be surprised if it didn't outsell the PS3 eventually.

 

[Moor-Angol]

PS2 sold 110mln all over the world and around 20 in Japan, was it a failure?

Japan counts 105mln people, US + UE around 800mln people, considering all countries PS4 is sold I could say Japan is just 1/10 of that, so I dont see the terrible situation reported into the article
Home console are shrinking since 2006, not yesterday, and to tell the truth actually PS4 is performing in Japan in the same way PS3 did

Japan consumers just did not embrace the new generation as the Western market did

2016 will tell us how PS4 will perform in Japan, good line-up, price more affordable and less and less multi with PS3, which will force people to migrate

 

[Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew]

Sony will sell 10 million PS4 in Japan by the end of the cycle.

 

[jabberwocker]

Is that completely bad? Look at all of the games popping up from all over. I feel that most people would appreciate a more balanced demographic.

 

[jooey]

Probably not much will change - PS4 has been Western-centric from day 1, don't forget that it released in Japan half a year later than in the West.

3 months is half a year now?

 

[entremet]

Sony will sell 10 million PS4 in Japan by the end of the cycle.

That's almost double the PS3's lifetime sales in that region.

To answer the OP's question.

I'm not sure, but the market has shrunk substantially. I still think companies can make a profit and survive there.

 

[WolvenOne]

That's almost double the PS3's lifetime sales.

PS4's going to hit a highly affordable price point long before the PS3 did. So the PS4 outselling the PS4 by a good clip is not an outrageous concept. It's going to depend a lot on the games, and how well they're marketed.

As somebody else mentioned, 2016 is probably the year that will decide how well the PS4 will do in Japan overall.

 

[The Mad Draklor]

Japanese developers building games for the west. That's how I read it.

Games like Scalebound, Recore and FF15 show this with their western influences. Can't complain really

Isn't Armature Studio from Texas?

 

[Heimbeck]

PS4's going to hit a highly affordable price point long before the PS3 did. So the PS4 outselling the PS4 by a good clip is not an outrageous concept. It's going to depend a lot on the games, and how well they're marketed.

As somebody else mentioned, 2016 is probably the year that will decide how well the PS4 will do in Japan overall.

Woah.
Japan really is a weird place.

 

[ShinMaruku]

Japan will be fine if they budget for truly world wide games with solid Japan sales and when their market recovers when the population stablizes it will be in a stable point.

 

[viHuGi]

If consoles are done in Japan, imagine Pc... ups

Of course not, Ps4 will sell 10 milion LT and big hitters will start dropping this year.

 

[stryke]

Japanese developers building games for the west. That's how I read it.

Games like Scalebound, Recore and FF15 show this with their western influences. Can't complain really

Since when did Armature become Japanese?

 

[Sheentak]

2million isn't that bad compared to let's Europe.

 

[entremet]

PS4's going to hit a highly affordable price point long before the PS3 did. So the PS4 outselling the PS4 by a good clip is not an outrageous concept. It's going to depend a lot on the games, and how well they're marketed.

As somebody else mentioned, 2016 is probably the year that will decide how well the PS4 will do in Japan overall.

I just believe mobile is even more entrenched today.

It's stiff competition. I'm including Nintendo in this too. Not singling out Sony.

Even Sony sees this as they've become more western focused in the past two generations.

 

[Manmademan]

That's almost double the PS3's lifetime sales in that region.

To answer the OP's question.

I'm not sure, but the market has shrunk substantially. I still think companies can make a profit and survive there.

but not out of the question, given that the PS4 is cheaper with far better software support.

 

[msdstc]

I don't know why people are so reluctant to accept that console gaming is dying in JP. It has been for a while now, and will continue to do so. Yeah big releases will register over there, but it is NOTHING like it once was.

 

[Steverulez]

Isn't Armature Studio from Texas?

It was originally a Comcept concept with Armature developing and MS publishing

 

[JordanN]

Unreal Engine 4 being free = Japan makes games forever.

Last gen had more console sales yet Japanese games were still lacking due to HD struggles. They don't have that excuse anymore.

As well as the PS3's stupid architecture has been replaced with PS4's far more easier one.

 

[JeffGrubb]

Indeed you are. That's honestly some rather heavy clickbait.

Incidentally, Wii U, PS4 and PS Vita just had the biggest holiday season in Japan since their release, and by a very long shot.

Considering the Japanese games coming for PS4 in the next year or so, the article seems to be pretty much entirely out of touch, and not just in the headline.

Should have researched better, and kept the headline more grounded instead of going for the clickbait.

Nah.

Japan's 2 million PS4s compared to 36 million worldwide makes this the smallest market share ever for Japan when it comes to a PlayStation system. I feel pretty comfortable in saying that moving the HQ to the U.S. is emblematic of Sony's feelings on the global market.

Has nothing to do with "games coming for PS4 in the next year or so."

 

[JoseLopez]

It was originally a Comcept concept with Armature developing and MS publishing

Inafunes company makes concepts for developers to make into games which is a neat idea I guess.

 

[thetrin]

You're looking at one of them right here. And I've been playing games since the Arcades/NES days.

I like Western games as well, but it'll be hard for me to move on without Japanese games involved.

Same. 99% of what I play is Japanese.

 

[The Mad Draklor]

It was originally a Comcept concept with Armature developing and MS publishing

What a tongue twister xD

But yeah, I get what you're saying.

 

[Dazza]

Indeed you are. That's honestly some rather heavy clickbait.

Incidentally, Wii U, PS4 and PS Vita just had the biggest holiday season in Japan since their release, and by a very long shot.

Considering the Japanese games coming for PS4 in the next year or so, the article seems to be pretty much entirely out of touch, and not just in the headline.

Should have researched better, and kept the headline more grounded instead of going for the clickbait.

Yep this is same as my response to this article, there is so much more support coming out this generation than the last, and PSVR has the possibility of kicking things into overdrive. NX is a mystery at the moment. Xbox is irrelevant in the Japanese market, I'm just glad they're not using cockblocking scorched earth tactics like last generation.

 

[Somnid]

In NX we trust.

But yeah without a major competitor it'll be hard for Nintendo to drum up interest. You can't ignore the spectacle of competition, it's like most of the reason PS4 was a success in the west.