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[Crimson_Gold]

You know GTA V sold >700,000 in Japan?

Some people have forgotten that the world is changing. Yes, there needs to be Japan centric titles coming, but we don't know how the market is going to react to western releases. I was surprised by the number of BF4 streams from Japan.

 

[Dragonborn]

Yeah, right. Ever heard of PS2 (March)? That launch was soooo horrible. It would have sold so much better in December...

And really, I'll say it again: I doubt that it matters much when the console launches, when we are talking about the first few days. Do you think a person that wants a next-gen console day one is like "oh, PS4 doesn't launch during the holidays, so I'm not gonna buy it. Too bad". Aren't the people who buy consoles at launch pretty much hardcore gamers?

The sales will go down considerably immediately after the launch, because it's February, that's for sure, but the negative effect is probably pretty negligible during the first 2 days.

The PS2 was the PS2 dude. There is no comparison

Being a non holiday season release certainly has an effect

 

[kenji_sama]

You know GTA V sold >700,000 in Japan?

yeah, and COD got a big number too. Somehow, i doubt these game can move hardware units.

 

[iceatcs]

Some people have forgotten that the world is changing. Yes, there needs to be Japan centric titles coming, but we don't know how the market is going to react to western releases. I was surprised by the number of BF4 streams from Japan.

Japanese more acceptable with Western games than 10 years ago, but still not yet full react the market.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

Given the non holiday and semi soft launch, I'd say this is good.

 

[Kimppis]

The PS2 was the PS2 dude. There is no comparison

Being a non holiday season release certainly has an effect

Everyone just keeps repeating that over and over, without any proof. Sure, it has an effect, but at launch it is pretty minimal, IMO. Immediately after launch is totally different matter, however. The sales will drop fast, I'm not denying that.

There is no comparison? It's not like PS2 sold a billion units or something. It's pretty much unbeatable, sure, but Wii still sold 100 million and PS360 80 million each. Jesus...

 

[Loudninja]

Not like it matters but inFamous suppose to come out 2 months after the launch in US and EU for Japan.

 

[Metal_slime]

People can finally stop saying console gaming is dead in Japan. These numbers are well above expected sales from NeoGAF users.

And no one has their hand on the pulse of the gaming industry like GAF does.

 

[Loudninja]

From Chris:

Famitsu openings

handhelds

1989.04.21 [Nintendo GameBoy] (¥12.500) - unknown (3 days)
1990.10.06 [Sega GameGear] (¥19.800) - unknown (2 days)
1995.07.21 [Nintendo VirtualBoy] (¥15.000) - unknown (3 days)
1996.07.21 [Nintendo GameBoyPocket] (¥6.800) - unknown (1 day)
1998.04.14 [Nintendo GameBoyLight] (¥6.800) - unknown (4 days)
1998.10.21 [Nintendo GameBoyColor] (¥8.900) - 155.774 (5 days)
1998.10.28 [SNK NeoGeoPocket] (¥7.800) - 21.471 (5 days)
1999.03.04 [Bandai WonderSwan] (¥4.800) - 102.655 (4 days)
1999.03.19 [SNK NeoGeoPocketColor] (¥8.900) - 18.809 (3 days)
2000.12.09 [Bandai WonderSwanColor] (¥6.800) - 145.975 (2 days)
2001.03.21 [Nintendo GameBoyAdvance] (¥9.800) - 611.504 [5 days]
2002.07.12 [Bandai SwanCrystal] (¥7.800) - 30.692 (3 days)
2003.02.14 [Nintendo GameBoyAdvance SP] (¥12.500) - 117.859 (3 days)
2004.12.02 [Nintendo DS] (¥15.000) - 441.485 (4 days)
2004.12.12 [Sony PlayStation Portable] (¥19.800 / ¥24.800) - 166.074 (1 day)
2005.09.13 [Nintendo GameBoyMicro] (¥12.000) - 148.117 (4 days)
2006.03.02 [Nintendo DS Lite] (¥16.800) - 67.653 (4 days)
2007.09.20 [Sony PlayStation Portable-2000] (¥19.800) - 263.538 (4 days)
2008.10.16 [Sony PlayStation Portable-3000] (¥19.800) - 155.720 (4 days)
2008.11.01 [Nintendo DSi] (¥18.900) - 170.779 (2 days)
2009.11.01 [Sony PlayStation Portable Go] (¥17.800) - 28.275 (1 day)
2009.11.21 [Nintendo DSi LL] (¥20.000) - 103.524 (2 days)
2011.02.26 [Nintendo 3DS] (¥25.000) - 371.326 (2 days)
2011.12.17 [Sony PlayStation Vita] (¥24.980 / ¥29.980) - 321.407 (2 days)
2012.07.28 [Nintendo 3DS LL] (¥18.900) - 193.441 (2 days)
2013.10.12 [Sony PlayStation Vita-2000] (¥29.929) < 58.682 (4 days)
2013.11.14 [Sony PlayStation Vita TV] (¥9.954 / ¥14.994) - 40.225 (4 days)


home consoles

1998.11.27 [Sega Dreamcast] (¥29.800) - 101.490 (3 days)
2000.03.04 [Sony PlayStation 2] (¥39.800) - 630.552 (2 days)
2001.09.14 [Nintendo GameCube] (¥25.000) - 133.719 (3 days)
2002.02.22 [Microsoft XBox] (¥34.800) - 123.929 (3 days)
2005.12.10 [Microsoft XBox 360] (¥29.000 / ¥39.795) - 62.135 (2 days)
2006.11.11 [Sony PlayStation 3] (¥49.980 / ¥59.980) - 88.443 (2 days)
2006.12.02 [Nintendo Wii] (¥25.000) - 371.936 (2 days)
2012.12.08 [Nintendo Wii U] (¥26.250 / ¥31.500) - 308.570 (2 days)
2014.02.22 [Sony PlayStation 4] (¥41.979 / ¥46.179)- 322.083 (2 days)

.

 

[Codeblue]

People can finally stop saying console gaming is dead in Japan. These numbers are well above expected sales from NeoGAF users.

Maybe we can all be rational and admit that first day sales are not a good indicator of anything.

 

[metalslimer]

People can finally stop saying console gaming is dead in Japan. These numbers are well above expected sales from NeoGAF users.

Yes because Vita and Wii U selling similar numbers obviously means the system will hold extremely well.

 

[beast786]

Maybe we can all be rational and admit that first day sales are not a good indicator of anything.

So if it had sold less than 100k with 350k shipment , that wouldn't have told us anything?

 

[Dr. Kitty Muffins]

Why is there no Japanese indie scene?

I kind of wonder how much of one there is on PC and mobile. You would think they would try to port to the PS4 to get some visibility. Just like in the United States, I'm sure it is easy to have your product get lost in an ocean of competitors on mobile. Just think of how many mobile/PC JRPG's, SCHMUPS, and Dating Sims there are that could be ported to consoles.I hope Sony has a Japanese branch for their newly formed 3rd party port team.

 

[Chindogg]

Not bad at all Sony, despite having basically shit Japanese launch offerings.

These numbers mean almost jack though, gotta see how things look in six months - year.

 

[BronsonLee]

Yes because Vita and Wii U selling similar numbers obviously means the system will hold extremely well.

Wet blanket mannnnnn

 

[Respawn]

I was expecting worst. Pretty good if you ask me.

 

[Graphics Horse]

If you use the 'wii doesn't count' clause, the PS4 is the best home console launch since the PS2.
#PS4FACTS

 

[LegendofLex]

Comparable to Wii U. What does it mean.

Nothing. Initial sales never mean anything because in today's day and age, every console will sell pretty well immediately. It's whether there's any demand outside of that early adopter pool that is the real question.

 

[Dr. Kitty Muffins]

Most of Japan's efforts to compete worldwide with Western Publishers have been focused on older gamers. I think they should focus more on getting the attention of younger gamers - something the region has been historically good at doing globally. There are not as many Western publishers competing in that space and there is definitely more room on consoles for those type of games. Nintendo no longer sells to those gamers anymore. They are up for grabs as Activision and Disney have learned. The only console opportunity for Japanese publishers to do that is on the PS4 going forward. If handhelds dry up, they can only do that on the PS4 and mobile - good luck getting attention in an ultra crowded scene.

 

[benny_a]

Nvm. Fail.

 

[Saint Gregory]

2011.12.17 [Sony PlayStation Vita] (¥24.980 / ¥29.980) - 321.407 (2 days)

Wow, that's startlingly close to the PS4 total.

 

[Captain Tuttle]

Yes because Vita and Wii U selling similar numbers obviously means the system will hold extremely well.

I don't know man, you can't deny the lack of Japanese games on the consoles
last gen, most everything was on handhelds

Edit: misread the context of your post, sorry

 

[The_Lump]

The only time initial sales tell us anything useful is if they are catastrophically low or monumentally high.

These figures are emphatically normal (given recent other high profile launches* in Japan) and are therefore useless with regard to drawing conclusions on the success of a product or the state of the industry at large.

*

Spoiler

Vita, WiiU

 

[Coxy]

I wonder how much of a performance difference there'll be between the PS3 and PS4 versions of Psycho Break, I imagine that'll shift a few boxes in japan too

 

[Dr. Kitty Muffins]

Japanese more acceptable with Western games than 10 years ago, but still not yet full react the market.

Re-skin BF4 with cute little anime girls in high school uniforms and watch those sales sky rocket!

 

[Dragonborn]

Everyone just keeps repeating that over and over, without any proof. Sure, it has an effect, but at launch it is pretty minimal, IMO. Immediately after launch is totally different matter, however. The sales will drop fast, I'm not denying that.

There is no comparison? It's not like PS2 sold a billion units or something. It's pretty much unbeatable, sure, but Wii still sold 100 million and PS360 80 million each. Jesus...

I'm not saying the PS4 would do PS2 numbers had it released in Holiday but it would have had a boost. I'm not even saying it'd be that large of a boost either. All I'm saying is that it would have an effect.

 

[LX_Theo]

In an era where handhelds are king in Japan, I'm not too surprised.

 

[TxdoHawk]

Wow at those PS2 numbers. What a crazy time for videogames that was...

 

[LegendofDragoonLives]

Sony and Japanese devs need to get to work to keep those numbers up. Where are the announcements Sony? What is coming out at the end of the year, since WD and Deep Down coming in the summer, there's solid influx of games till then.

Waits...

 

[benny_a]

Sony and Japanese devs need to get to work to keep those numbers up. Where are the announcements Sony? What is coming out at the end of the year, since WD and Deep Down coming in the summer, there's solid influx of games till then.

Waits...

I'm not an expert at the video games, but usually huge announcements are not made randomly in February.

 

[Fine Ham Abounds]

Had no idea the PS3 launch was so terrible or the WiiU launch was so decent.

 

[LegendofDragoonLives]

I'm not an expert at the video games, but usually huge announcements are not made randomly in February.

Well I'm not exactly brimming with confidence at those types of games being announced at E3 and then coming 3-4 months later. Are you?

 

[Shengar]

Re-skin BF4 with cute little anime girls in high school uniforms and watch those sales sky rocket!

That audience you talking is very niche by the way, though they have strong and loyal following.

 

[ethomaz]

Had no idea the PS3 launch was so terrible or the WiiU launch was so decent.

PS3 was heavily supply constrained at release... I'm sure it will do better if Sony shipped more at launch.

 

[jhmtehgamr20xx]

Just as I knew it would.

Now some of you "consoles are DOOMED!! Derp!" bolts can shut the hell up. Try and spin that one for a bedtime story if it makes you feel better.

 

[Go_Ly_Dow]

They really need a decent MH and DQ game that isnt the 24th port of the game like the PS2 had.

Sadly it won't happen without a moneyhat.

 

[benny_a]

Well I'm not exactly brimming with confidence at those types of games being announced at E3 and then coming 3-4 months later. Are you?

I don't know if yet another Dynasty Warriors or rub-the-loli touchpad game needs that much lead time.

 

[Codeblue]

So if it had sold less than 100k with 350k shipment , that wouldn't have told us anything?

If you look at that list of launch numbers, you'll see systems like the Vita which were on life support for two years do great first week numbers, and stuff that sold well in the long run like the PS3 do sub 100K.

Trying to extrapolate long term viability from a launch is a bad idea.

 

[Occam]

Why is there no Japanese indie scene?

What makes you think there isn't? There are many doujin games developed in Japan, often sold at Comiket (famous doujinshi fair held twice a year in Tokyo).

 

[prag16]

Damn, beating everyone´s expectations.

Was there a prediction topic or something? The lowest expectation I saw from posters here was 300k, with some claiming to expect even double that (or more). At least until last week's media create thread when the TC (I think) said he'd heard something much closer to what these final results show.

Seems pretty decent though.

 

[Baleoce]

Quite a positive launch it seems, especially considering the shift in focus of the Japanese market to handheld / mobile. Would be interesting to see if this has any impact on Vita over there.

It's all about software here on out though, if they want the numbers to make steady progress on this.

 

[BadWolf]

What makes you think there isn't? There are many doujin games developed in Japan, often sold at Comiket (famous doujinshi fair held twice a year in Tokyo).

Yeah and Sony should definitely reach out to them like they have with the indies in the west.

Would help fatten the line up and also push PS+ there.

 

[anexanhume]

For those saying sales will tank just like they did with the Wii U, search interest in Japan for the PS4 is still in the process of peaking and its search volume is currently 67% higher than Wii U's ever was (launch). Of course, nothing is definitive, but it is one piece of evidence.

http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=PS4, Wii U, 3DS, Vita&geo=JP&date=1/2011 38m&cmpt=q

 

[Dr. Kitty Muffins]

That audience you talking is very niche by the way, though they have strong and loyal following.

I'm just being cute.

 

[Mung]

For those saying sales will tank just like they did with the Wii U, search interest in Japan for the PS4 is still in the process of peaking and its search volume is currently 67% higher than Wii U's ever was (launch). Of course, nothing is definitive, but it is one piece of evidence.

http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=PS4, Wii U, 3DS, Vita&geo=JP&date=1/2011 38m&cmpt=q

Funnily enough your graph also shows how vita had a similar interest at launch

 

[kuroneco]

The everything moe boom shall put to an end (It is a niche market in Japan regardless). The need bishojo for sure but Japan gamers need games too. If a game is really good and easy to play (not mean difficulty) with good localization, it should be good.

 

[Jamix012]

Yes because Vita and Wii U selling similar numbers obviously means the system will hold extremely well.

I'm with you here. Being in this thread is painful on how many people are declaring console gaming "saved" without knowing what on earth they're talking about.

For those saying sales will tank just like they did with the Wii U, search interest in Japan for the PS4 is still in the process of peaking and its search volume is currently 67% higher than Wii U's ever was (launch). Of course, nothing is definitive, but it is one piece of evidence.

http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=PS4, Wii U, 3DS, Vita&geo=JP&date=1/2011 38m&cmpt=q

lol did you even look through that chart? Sure it's higher than Wii U, but lower than Vita was at launch.

Edit: Beaten

 

[thesuperfunk]

Not bad .. I would imagine Sony must be quite pleased right now.

 

[The Abominable Snowman]

Yes because Vita and Wii U selling similar numbers obviously means the system will hold extremely well.

The Vita and Wii U both launched in December and were hot holiday items

If they launched February 22nd with the same amount of stock, I'd be willing to bet they would've sold quite a bit less

Meanwhile if the PS4 launched Feb 22nd and had more ample stock, it would've sold quite a bit more. If it launched in December with the same stock, it would've sold about the same, because it's supply limited as of now.

 

[Nightengale]

Well I'm not exactly brimming with confidence at those types of games being announced at E3 and then coming 3-4 months later. Are you?

Not at E3, but maybe Famitsu. Some publishers/devs also do make random announcements for smaller scale titles.

I think it's safe to assume that outside of the obvious annual titles like Winning Eleven 2015, there's not going to be much in terms of high-end Japanese content for the PS4 this year, outside of potentially what was already revealed at TGS last year. ( and IM@S and EDF aren't exactly system-seller or high-end. )