XBox One Launch In Japan - Not doing well... at all

[GoodBytes]

There is no surprise that the XBox has never done well in Japan. But Kotaku today, shows that this time around it's really not doing well.

At it's release event day, you can see that there is no line up for the console anywhere, but they are for other places selling food as example.

 

Today, the Xbox One finally went on sale in Japan. The launch looked rather depressing. But maybe you saw that coming, right?

Granted, these days, it's really hard to tell how hardware does. People can order stuff online, so there isn't the same emphasis on launch lines, like as in the past. That being said, if there are lots of people waiting for something—say, Yokai Watch toys—then it's possible to make a popularity assumption. But that is exactly what it is: an assumption.

Still, the Xbox One launch in Japan looks like a total downer. I'm sure there are Japanese gamers excited to get it, and a few people did appear to line up for the console. But, man, these photos circulating online do not look good for the Xbox One's chances in Japan.

Countdown for the lunch event:

Line outside:

Night before the lunch, at Bic Camera in Tokyo's Shinjuku.

However at a restaurant selling cow tongs:

To view more pictures heads over Kotaku: http://kotaku.com/japans-xbox-one-launch-as-sad-as-youd-expect-1630411606

It must be noted that this can just be a perspective thing. Not all stores everywhere in Japan was looked at, and Kotaku did note that:

Update: While AP is reporting that the Xbox One Japan launch "fell flat on Thursday, with journalists covering the debut far outnumbering buyers," Japanese site My Game News notes that the launch event stream was viewed by over 200,000 people and 72.5 percent said the stream was "very good." Perhaps everyone was at home watching it...

But, this doesn't look like a good sign.

Source: http://kotaku.com/japans-xbox-one-launch-as-sad-as-youd-expect-1630411606

[MercFX]

As stated, Xbox never did well in Japan, but holy balls this is unpoplar.

Japan PCmasterrace?

[ChipWoodChainSaw]

lol

[dizmo]

Not really surprising at all.
However I do love looking at any picture from Japan. How I'd love to go there.

[jezza39]

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!! They even set up cones to keep the lines of non exsistant people in order

[nanowatt]

Real man don't buy a console

[AlexGoesHigh]

so its the xbox one a lunch box now in japan?

 

dat title typo

[Trik'Stari]

[Enderman]

The japanese are smarter than to buy peasant consoles. They are part of the PCMASTERRACE!

[jezza39]

The japanese are smarter than to buy peasant consoles. They are part of the PCMASTERRACE!

 

No they buy the Japanese consoles...like Wii's and Playstations....

[D3MON]

hmm not sure...

that said its plausable.... what a surprise, the japs don't like the american console that competes with a japanese console, maybe if they called it the arizona they would of been all over it (man, i need to stop watching WW2 documentaries).

[DigitalHermit]

The Japanese like their Nintendos and Playstations...

 

They also already have a huge game library for both of the two and most games in said library are Japan exclusives.

[Wildlord12]

Hahaha wow, just wow.

[Trik'Stari]

 

 

hmm not sure...

that said its plausable.... what a surprise, the japs don't like the american console that competes with a japanese console, maybe if they called it the arizona they would of been all over it (man, i need to stop watching WW2 documentaries).

 

Could have called it the pearl harbor as well. Seems like they called it the hiroshima.

[GoodBytes]

The japanese are smarter than to buy peasant consoles. They are part of the PCMASTERRACE!

Sony, and Nintendo console, both portable and home have done fairly well, at worst.. OK in Japan.

XBox never did well.

They are many reason given, such as Japanese only supporting Japanese companies. But, I believe this is not the real reason, the real reason is that Nintendo and Sony have games targeted at Japan. They even have studios making games only for that market on those console. XBox has the same games we have here in the Western market, and most of them, despite popular here, due to cultural difference, are not doing as well there. Generally speaking, of course. Not to mention, that the majority of features of the XBox One are U.S only, or only certain regions, where Japan isn't part of the party, really doesn't help it. Those are the same challenges Microsoft faced with their Media Center service. Amazing concept, but due to different country laws, regulations, duopolies/monopolies, governmental level corruption, anti-competitive tactics, movie and television associations, and other factors, prevents from offering the full feature experience that Microsoft wanted to provide. Even in the U.S they have trouble.. and this is Microsoft, with all the resources and power that they have. simple thing like recording TV, like you can on a VCR, is a huge challenge, that forced Microsoft to put DRM systems, and EVEN then, still not pleased by everyone, let alone the consumer, which is not even yet considered.

[Real_PhillBert]

Lol. People are realizing that these consoles are already behind the times. Horribly behind the times.

[kuddlesworth9419]

If the industry is to move forward not backwards the console market needs to adapt or die. 

[helping]

The japanese are smarter than to buy peasant consoles. They are part of the PCMASTERRACE!

I think our traditional type of gaming is less popular on PC there, consoles are more popular for games comparable across continents there.

at least that's what it looks like to me

 

As stated, Xbox never did well in Japan, but holy balls this is unpoplar.

Japan PCmasterrace?

no, they just buy Nintendo and PS consoles instead.

there are a lot of JP exclusive titles and none are on Xbox, while a lot of Xbox games are on Playstation, so what's the point in buying an Xbox.

[DigitalHermit]

Sony, and Nintendo console, both portable and home have done fairly well, at worst.. OK in Japan.

XBox never did well.

They are many reason given, such as Japanese only supporting Japanese companies. But, I believe this is not the real reason, the real reason is that Nintendo and Sony have games targeted at Japan. They even have studios making games only for that market on those console. XBox has the same games we have here in the Western market, and most of them, despite popular here, due to cultural difference, are not doing as well there.

 

-omitted-

 

I've played some of the games from there... They're really good and the variation is great...

[jezza39]

no, they just buy Nintendo and PS consoles instead.

there are a lot of JP exclusive titles and none are on Xbox, while a lot of Xbox games are on Playstation, so what's the point in buying an Xbox.

 

Plus the Wii U and PS4 came out ages ago in Japan too, most console gamers have already bought their console.

[DigitalHermit]

I think our traditional type of gaming is less popular on PC there, consoles are more popular for games comparable across continents there.

at least that's what it looks like to me

 

no, they just buy Nintendo and PS consoles instead.

there are a lot of JP exclusive titles and none are on Xbox, while a lot of Xbox games are on Playstation, so what's the point in buying an Xbox.

 

There's Gal*Gun which I would personally like to play...

 

But yeah, Nintendo and Sony have the market figured out and are able to pump games that are sure to sell to certain demographics...

[qwertywarrior]

no japanese gamer in their right minds would EVER buy an xbox

do u know how many exclusive japanese playstation games are there !

[totjup5]

Well, Xbox sucks anyway.

[ijKs Snow]

I read there were more people from the media then actual customers lel.

 

Japan doesn't want that gaijin crap.

[GoodBytes]

I've played some of the games from there... They're really good and the variation is great...

I am sure they are. I have read many times, especially on Nintendo side, where a game is out in Japan exclusive from a studi, where it gets leaked to other regions (via ebay and such), and people asking Nintendo for an international release of the game. And as always, it's a big decision for Nintendo, as it's a lot of money on their part as they'll probably end up publishing it, if they are not in Japan, and they need to spend significant amount of money translating it, and modifying content which can be offensive in some other countries (A process that Nintendo does for it's own games even. From songs that can be seen as resembling some religious chants by some, to some text that can be seen by some as touching a country social issue which can cause problems for Nintendo). So, unless Nintendo is SURE that they'll make their money back and worth the effort, they usually don't do it.