Microsoft Disappointed with Xbox One Sales in Japan - News
by William D'Angelo , posted on 02 October 2014 / 10,801 Views
The Xbox One has had a rough launch period in Japan selling 23,562 units in its opening week and just 1,113 units in its third week, according to Media Create. Xbox Japan boss Takashi Sensui has told Famitsu (and translated by Kotaku) that he is disappointed with Xbox One sales so far.
"It's not as though we're satisfied with the current sales state," said Sensui. "We hope to continue through taking user feedback and improving [the Xbox One] and offering content that everyone can enjoy. We are also aware that reaching out to let more people know about the Xbox One is vital."
"However, the current console generation has become very long. We hope to lay out a long-term vision and to focus on publicity for our console. Taking the first step was very important, and as for how to permeate the market from here, we hope to continue to do our best."
Phil Spencer added that Japan and Japanese developers are an important part for the success of the Xbox One. Microsoft will continue to do its best to help improve sales for the Xbox One in Japan.
________________________________________________________________________________________
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel dedicated to gaming Let's Plays and tutorials. Outside, in the real world, he has a passion for the outdoors which includes everything from hiking to having received his B.A. in Environmental Studies. You can contact the author at wdangelo@vgchartz.com or on Twitter @TrunksWD.
More Articles
Microsoft just doesn't get the gaming industry that's pretty clear by now. Otherwise they wouldn't have expected more sales.
I wouldn't go that far they did a ok start with the 1st Xbox, outdid The PS3 after that with the 360. Try understand the video game market well enough just not Japan.
But not releasing in Japan would look bad and be unethical to consumers. It's the same reason Wal-Mart carries game products despite making very little off it, it's more a courtesy to the consumer.
Well, duh Microsoft. Japan is a handheld gaming country. Even the PS4, which is doing great everywhere else, isn't selling that well in Japan. MS screwed themselves elsewhere this gen, like Sony did last gen, though Sony ended up eventually catching up and outselling the 360 ww.
360 has more sales worldwide than PS3 SMH
No, it doesn't.
Sony ended up eventually catching up and outselling the 360 No doubt MS can do the same.
PS3 always had stronger wordwide sales than the 360. It was only "catching up" because of the much later release.
YOU DONT SAY ?
The 360 only did a good score here because it was out one year before eh nintendo/sony console + lots of jrpg on it.
I don't think xbox one will even do 1/4 of the 360 sales.
Microsoft needs to give up on Japan as a lost cause. A lot of Japanese developers were burned by accepting Microsoft moneyhats for exclusive games that bombed on 360 and they won't be making the same mistake again.
Microsoft is certainly very sad, because they do not get "Persona 5" and "Dragon Quest heroes". i think.
No Blue Dragon = No sales. Plus the Japanese have caught onto Microsoft's micro-marketing, taking a lot of money from you in the long run (Micro-transactions in games, $60 subscription fee even on P2P games, etc).
i want see ps4 in china sales..
Seriously Microsoft, give up on japanese audiences. Why so force.
Well lets look at how Microsoft advertised the system there Call of Duty, Halo and Racing games. And lets look at the Japanese market Chibi, Idols anything cute like Pokemon are Mario
The Xbox isn't selling well in Japan? Please, now don't even tell me that the Pope is Catholic!!
Well, they have China on the bright side.
You can only be disappointed if you were expecting more. everyone on the internet was expecting a sub 30K launch and a rapid decline to 1000/wk. So how could MS have been expecting more? It's like they have less market awareness than the Joe average armchair console market analysts. Of course they have to make noises about wanting to grow and support the market. Because saying the Japanese market is a waste of space for them and they are pulling the console from the market is not a tennable position.
Doesn't hurt to try, every bit counts. Its maybe low but sales spikes always happen in business. History shows that MS doesn't need the Xbox to be successful in Japan to be a very successful console. More importantly is when the XB1 will be released world wide since they have given the PS4 more then a year head start selling in 70+ countries.
it does hurt to try, if you want to bring your first party games and os updates to another region it all needs to be translated and checked over to make sure there is nothing that will offend that other country in it, that costs a lot for 1k sales per week.
amusing how a comment of "not satisfied", is somehow translated to disappointed by some really bad journalism.
People are clearly reading the headline and not the article.
Anyhow, Japan isn't important to Xbox and it never was. Its just one of many countries their platform is available.
so if japan is not important to Microsoft why release it there!
Japan is the gaming Capital of the world they know gaming, they are smart thats why the ps4 is loosing to the WiiU 3 to 1 over there. who wants an X1 any ways.
@Ka-pi96- That's funny I could have sworn a lot of the biggest gaming companies are still Japanese and the most popular console maker is Japanese.
