Support NeoGAF

[fabprems]

I want to share with you the best read I had this week-end, from the french website Gamekult.com. Here a few tidbits (with the help of Google translation) :

About the PS4 conference of the 9th september :

The local press cover the thing in the best possible light. We do not talk too much about the fact that Japan will be served last, the machine will miss the holiday season. Streamed online, the conference September 9 causes stir of the gamers ... almost. Japanese gamers are quite unique because for the most mature enough. If comments are obviously disappointment, they do it with a certain distance. They know that Japan is not as fond of video game high spec. You just have to look at the level of weekly sales (excluding Nintendo) to realize it. Also, the shift to the U.S. from SCE is little surprising. In absolute terms, the idea of ​​a new PlayStation excite. But many believe that the current PS3 is sufficient, when well used, it is still able to surprise. A speech that many share in the Japanese industry. But no one anticipated what would follow...

After the Asia conference of the 18th september :

The PS4 will be launched in Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia "from December 2013." Other countries in Southeast Asia will follow. Again, Sony has tried to justify himself. And how these markets may well pass before Japan
(...)
Quickly, a tsunami swept the Japanese Net. This was too much for the players and fans of the brand. On the web and on the official blog, the words "Sony Hannichi" - anti-Japanese Sony - began to sweep, to stigmatize the attitude of a national industrial emblem forget its origins.

About the japanese market :

There is a significant difference in the response of local and foreign publishers. The Japanese companies have been slower to move on this new generation. The desire to use a homemade engine rather than using a third-party solution slow them down. But especially with the massive conversion of production lines to mobile consoles, they just can only develop a very limited number of AAA titles for consoles. Finally, the demand is simply not there.

And on the japanese perpsectives :

On the eve of the start of the crazy festive season in Japan, the way is clear for Nintendo. On the opposite, people who wanted a Vita already have it. The Vita "Slim" found moderately buyers, often to replace the old model, while we always try to find meaning in the PS Vita TV. This leaves the new PS3 provide basic without being able to play in the same division as Nintendo, which will further increase his lead at the end of the year. Small and medium stores video game do get that the 3DS (console and accessories), Monster Hunter 4, the Pokemon and the top 10 best-selling portable more. A wholesale distributor of Tokyo has even told me that in the state of things, the PS4 out with such a lineup would not be reasonable. He thinks that Sony knows this, and that the manufacturer has not any hope to thwart imperial 3DS at the end of the year. In his eyes, the Japanese release of the PS4 was set in February, just to say that it came out during the fiscal year, then launch a more symbolic than anything else.

There's a lot more at the link (about TGS, a possible introduction of the Xbx One in Japan by next summer, the hi spec market in Japan, the PS4 pre-order campaign,....)

If you can read french, you can go read this article on Gamekult.com : http://www.gamekult.com/actu/ps4-le-point-de-vue-du-japon-A112117.html
And if you can't you can always try to decrypt the Google translation of it : http://translate.google.fr/translat...ctu/ps4-le-point-de-vue-du-japon-A112117.html

 

[Muchi Muchi Pink]

Hm yeah, so far it seems most japanese devs didn't really start to develop for ps4, yet.

On the Japanese Market: Can't blame Sony here, it's portable heavy for years now.

 

[UltraGunner]

I seriously doubt the ps4 will do as well as the ps3. The market just isn't there for dedicated home consoles.

 

[Iacobellis]

Hm yeah, so far it seems most japanese devs didn't really start to develop for ps4, yet.

On the Japanese Market: Can't blame Sony here, it's portable heavy for years now.

Can't also blame them for making the US their top priority. Have to take back what was their's during the PS1 and PS2 generations.

 

[Shinta]

Looks like an awesome article, definitely going to check it out in full.

I think if you look at things purely pragmatically, you can see why they would release in the order that they are. They have to secure as much of the biggest market as they can, and that's the main market that they have stiff competition from rivals.

I guess I can see some hurt feelings, but the Japanese launch looks solid. They get a new Yakuza game day 1 that we probably aren't getting at all, and XIV: ARR beta at launch.

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

I thought they sold out on preorders or sonethin?

 

[The Bookerman]

I'll wait for JohnTv and MarkMacD's perspective on this first before saying anything.

 

[UltraGunner]

I thought they sold out on preorders or sonethin?

We don't know how much they've allocated for japan's launch. Besides as the Wiiu and vita will tell you the overall success of a console isn't based on preorder numbers.

 

[Pop]

I thought they sold out on preorders or sonethin?

twice

 

[Americanmushroom]

just a reminder: gamekult is a very negative website famous for their very low scored reviews. Im french and i never go on their websit. Im not saying its not true, but again ... their 'news' is just another negative news that isn't based on much when you see how fast the ps4 was preordered in Japan

 

[Some Nobody]

On some level I wonder if Japanese gaming interests have turned to handhelds not because they prefer handhelds, but simply because they prefer to play titles from their own country and the quality has just been superior there while the quality of console titles has been...lackluster, at best.

Essentially I'm wondering if it was the chicken or the egg.

 

[Muchi Muchi Pink]

just a reminder: gamekult is a very negative website famous for their very low scored reviews. Im french and i never go on their websit. Im not saying its not true, but again ... their 'news' is just another negative news that isn't based on much when you see how fast the ps4 was preordered in Japan

Well negative comments from core gamers never really represents the actual view of the masses ending up buying the stuff. But you can't deny that there is not much going on atm from japanese devs.

Not going to say there will be nothing in a year or so but it's heavily west-focused atm. Again, can't blame anyone here actually.


Edith: If I had to guess, Japanese prefer handhelds for several reasons like limited space and hanging around in the city.

 

[rvy]

Japan is just waiting on that Monster Hunter next-gen.

 

[RaikuHebi]

In absolute terms, the idea of ​​a new PlayStation excite. But many believe that the current PS3 is sufficient, when well used, it is still able to surprise.

This gen. in a nutshell.

Edit: If I had to guess, Japanese prefer handhelds for several reasons like limited space and hanging around in the city.

Not to mention they may prefer simpler graphics and game design.

 

[Oersted]

I thought they sold out on preorders or sonethin?

At online-retailers, yeah. That made our Japan experts jump to conclusions.

 

[Shinta]

Not to mention they may prefer simpler graphics and game design.

Game design is never simpler than huge budget AAA games.

 

[Kysen]

None of this chimes with the comments ive been reading on Japanese boards/sites.

 

[Nightengale]

Japan is just waiting on that Monster Hunter next-gen.

They've gotten it, it's called MH4.

Japan doesn't really give a shit about console MHs. It's on portables where the franchise founds its popularity, and how the genre exploded in Japan.

 

[maverick40]

None of this chimes with the comments ive been reading on Japanese boards/sites.

Care to elaborate?

 

[RaikuHebi]

Game design is never simpler than huge budget AAA games.

I guess I worded it wrong. I meant there doesn't need to be too much crazy stuff going on, super processing power and all that entails.

I didn't mean simple from the player's perspective, but simple from the actually developing the game perspective.

Also are you the same Shinta that used to be on Kotaku? (or maybe still is?).

 

[bidguy]

I thought they sold out on preorders or sonethin?

yeah but how many units did they sell ?

 

[Frumix]

Looks like it's really down to Japanese devs not wanting to risk or adapt.

 

[EmptySpace]

console gaming is expensive, very evident in the kotaku (or polygon?) poll video. most japanese think ps4 is expensive. overall, console games are more expensive than handheld games, and handheld games in japan have ad-hoc, local multiplayer modes which work really well in japan, while most console games are focused on online-only interactions (so a person sitting in front of the tv and talking through a headset, vs. local mp through handhelds w/c is very easy in japan given that a lot of people ride public transportation, wi-fi everywhere, and japan is smaller in land mass so more concentrated population in any given area).

 

[Hyunashi]

Japan waiting on FF15 and KH3.

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

yeah but how many units did they sell ?

Hey my guess is as good as yours, when they sold out of preorders people here laughed at the notion of console running out of steam in Japan yet this article states otherwise.

 

[Tenki]

Japan is just waiting on that Monster Hunter next-gen.

Monster Hunter for the next Nintendo handheld?

 

[Shinta]

Looks like it's really down to Japanese devs not wanting to risk or adapt.

I don't see that. Sega has Yakuza nearly done, out in February. SQEX is ready to go, and is putting out Thief in February, and XIV: ARR beta in February for PS4. Capcom has the best looking next gen game so far, in Deep Down. They're also putting out Dead Rising 3. Konami is putting MGSV on next gen systems. Knack is Sony Japan. More I'm not listing.

All you see in the west is cross-gen titles, and a handful of first party games like Killzone, and Forza.

 

[Frumix]

I don't see that. Sega has Yakuza nearly done, out in February. SQEX is ready to go, and is putting out Thief in February, and XIV: ARR beta in February for PS4. Capcom has the best looking next gen game so far, in Deep Down. Konami is putting MGSV on next gen systems. More I'm not listing.

In contrast to a huge boom of Japanese games on PS2? Yeah, that's not a whole lot.
Also Eidos titles don't count as Japanese.

 

[RaikuHebi]

Looks like it's really down to Japanese devs not wanting to risk or adapt.

They've tried and it hasn't gone so well. But in the portable space they are still kings and if that's the way they're mostly leaning there isn't anything wrong with that. Not everything has to be AAA monotony. At least the portable games remind one of PS2/PS1 good old days when things were a little more creative and less focused on being more like Hollywood than a game. It might not even be a risk thing, it might just be as I previously mentioned that the classic graphics/gameplay is what Japanese people like. More power isn't needed for that.

Japan waiting on FF15 and KH3.

This is actually the best answer.

 

[Tiberius]

None of this chimes with the comments ive been reading on Japanese boards/sites.

That's just the vision of a french journalist who live in japan, you can clearly see some sort of bias in the french article
I would rename it The author's Point of View on PS4 in japan

 

[Shinta]

In contrast to a huge boom of Japanese games on PS2? Yeah, that's not a whole lot.
Also Eidos titles don't count as Japanese.

I remember PS2 for the whole first year had very little. People were playing that fireworks game for a while ...

"Japanese launch: March 4, 2000
A-Train 6
Drum Mania
Eternal Ring
Kakinoki Shogi IV
Kessen
Mahjong Taikai III
Morita Shogi
Ridge Racer V
Stepping Selection
Street Fighter EX3"

Not exactly the best lineup. I'd say PS4's is better honestly.

 

[Hyunashi]

I don't see that. Sega has Yakuza nearly done, out in February. SQEX is ready to go, and is putting out Thief in February, and XIV: ARR beta in February for PS4. Capcom has the best looking next gen game so far, in Deep Down. They're also putting out Dead Rising 3. Konami is putting MGSV on next gen systems. Knack is Sony Japan. More I'm not listing.

All you see in the west is cross-gen titles, and a handful of first party games like Killzone, and Forza.

I think Level-5 is making a PS4 game (could be wrong, could be rumors) but I also bet when this next PS3 Tales comes out, a PS4 one will be next. I expect many smaller companies to follow suit after the big guns switch over too.

 

[rvy]

They've gotten it, it's called MH4.

Japan doesn't really give a shit about console MHs. It's on portables where the franchise founds its popularity, and how the genre exploded in Japan.

Monster Hunter for the next Nintendo handheld?

 

[ponpo]

Good, hoping for mega bomba here so I can get PS4 console for cheap since I don't care about 'portable gaming' if I can even make such a broad classification. ( ≖‿&#8790

Also waiting for next gen MH, more like waiting for next gen Gundam Vs. series.

 

[Arthea]

Only reason I used to buy consoles was for playing Japanese games (JRPGs mostly), all other gaming I do on PC.
So basically, I'll have no reason to buy any console in the future.
The end of era.
Wouldn't mind Japanese devs to embrace PC though, if they stopped to care about consoles.

Don't really see KH3 (which, correct me if I'm wrong, isn't popular in Japan) or FF15 revitalizing consoles in Japan. FF is still huge, but again it seems less relevant already with latest instalments.

 

[Frumix]

Only reason I used to buy consoles was for playing Japanese games (JRPGs mostly), all other gaming I do on PC.
So basically, I'll have no reason to buy any console in the future.
The end of era.
Wouldn't mind Japanese devs to embrace PC though, if they stopped to care about consoles.

Don't really see KH3 (which, correct me if I'm wrong, isn't popular in Japan) or FF15 revitalizing consoles in Japan. FF is still huge, but again it seems less relevant already with latest instalments.

13 series are still the biggest selling PS3 games in Japan.

 

[Scooter]

In absolute terms, the idea of ​​a new PlayStation excite. But many believe that the current PS3 is sufficient, when well used, it is still able to surprise.

It's that kind of mentality why Japan has stayed so far behind the last few years.

 

[Shinta]

Only reason I used to buy consoles was for playing Japanese games (JRPGs mostly), all other gaming I do on PC.
So basically, I'll have no reason to buy any console in the future.
The end of era.

Meanwhile ... in Japan ...

 

[Hyunashi]

13 series are still the biggest selling PS3 games in Japan.

Exactly. I swear Japan dont bash it as much as the west.

 

[Arthea]

13 series are still the biggest selling PS3 games in Japan.

What I mean they sold less than all other FF, didn't they?

Meanwhile ... in Japan ...
Deep Down.pics

Isn't that multiplay only game? Have no interest in those whatsoever.

 

[Some Nobody]

It's that kind of mentality why Japan has stayed so far behind the last few years.

But its not wrong. The PS3 is definitely still capable of some amazing feats, its just most Japanese developers are utilizing it properly.

I remember PS2 for the whole first year had very little. People were playing that fireworks game for a while ...

"Japanese launch: March 4, 2000
A-Train 6
Drum Mania
Eternal Ring
Kakinoki Shogi IV
Kessen
Mahjong Taikai III
Morita Shogi
Ridge Racer V
Stepping Selection
Street Fighter EX3"

Not exactly the best lineup. I'd say PS4's is better honestly.

The Japanese PS4 line-up is actually pretty decent. Basically everything from our line-up (which is eh), plus a ton of Japanese specific games like Yakuza, Natural Doctrine, I think the Gundam game is a launch title, inFamous: Second Son and one or two other games.

I'd be worried if I were a Japanese gamer because I'd have to buy the console then choose from all those freaking games.

 

[Frumix]

What I mean they sold less than all other FF, didn't they?

I don't have hard numbers on hand, but yes, their sales were not so hot. One can interpret it many ways. Console gamers in Japan are few and far between OR home consoles in Japan have low attach rates OR if there's anything that can sell Sony consoles in Japan still, it's FF.

 

[Ratrat]

That's the best article you've read all weekend?

 

[toddhunter]

On some level I wonder if Japanese gaming interests have turned to handhelds not because they prefer handhelds, but simply because they prefer to play titles from their own country and the quality has just been superior there while the quality of console titles has been...lackluster, at best.

Essentially I'm wondering if it was the chicken or the egg.

I think there is a bit of that going on.

Which is why, perhaps crazily, I think Kingdom Hearts 3 will turn things around. For whatever reason and with very minimal information it just feels like the game we never got during the PS3 years. Same as we never got a "real" Final Fantasy title and now have FF15 (of course much more literally).

I mean if that doesn't do it, what will?

 

[Joni]

It is simple. At this moment, the 3DS is the only thing selling in Japan. Unless all Japanese developers ditch the Wii U, the PSP and the PS3 to support the PS4; by this time next year, the 3DS will still be the only thing selling in Japan.

That's the best article you've read all weekend?

The Google Translate doesn't help.

 

[Arthea]

I don't have hard numbers on hand, but yes, their sales were not so hot. One can interpret it many ways. Console gamers in Japan are few and far between OR home consoles in Japan have low attach rates OR if there's anything that can sell Sony consoles in Japan still, it's FF.

Well, that's true, but if we are talking about revitalizing console gaming in Japan by FF, we mean it sells a console, if it fails to sell it, my point is valid, no?

 

[Prince Vultan]

Gamekultlol

But really, the console market is fucked inside and out in Japan. Sony are better off out of it, because every unit shipped to Japan this year would basically be a wasted unit that would be better served going to the US or Europe.

Just no incentive there for them to prioritise a Japanese launch any more with their consoles.

Isn't that multiplay only game? Have no interest in those whatsoever.

No it isn't.

 

[RaikuHebi]

Exactly. I swear Japan dont bash it as much as the west.

The Western sales figures are high as well. From what I remember when FFXIII launched there was plenty of bashing from Japan and surprise at the quantity that were traded in.

 

[LiquidSolid]

Good, hoping for mega bomba here so I can get PS4 console for cheap since I don't care about 'portable gaming' if I can even make such a broad classification. ( ≖‿&#8790

Also waiting for next gen MH, more like waiting for next gen Gundam Vs. series.

Yeah because there'd totally be a next gen MH if the PS4 were a "mega bomba." Are you stupid?

 

[Some Nobody]

I think there is a bit of that going on.

Which is why, perhaps crazily, I think Kingdom Hearts 3 will turn things around. For whatever reason and with very minimal information it just feels like the game we never got during the PS3 years. Same as we never got a "real" Final Fantasy title and now have FF15 (of course much more literally).

I mean if that doesn't do it, what will?

There are some minor signs that developers in Japan are getting their shit together. If that's the case, we'll know for sure. If quality console games continue to do poorly, then prepare to see a LOT more cell phone games. Yes, even more than before.