While the PlayStation 4 has ripped up the sales record books in Western regions since its release last November, the system’s struggling a little in its native Japan. Sony originally said that it intended to delay the console’s launch in its home nation in order to secure a better lineup of software, but following a fairly uneventful first few months on the market, that content offering still isn’t quite there.
"It's because the products are not there to compel the people to buy the console," lead architect Mark Cerny told Eurogamer.net when asked about the platform’s problems in the East. "We'll have a much better read on that a year or two after the Japanese publishers start releasing those interesting titles." Games like Final Fantasy XV and Kingdom Hearts III are highly anticipated, but still don’t have a date.
Group president Andrew House agrees that the system needs more tailored content to hit critical mass in the Land of the Rising Sun, but believes that this will only be a temporary issue. “We’ve really turned a corner on that and demonstrated that if you're a publisher that wants to reach a global market with good and immersive games then the PS4 is definitely the place to be,” he beamed.
However, while maintaining an optimistic outlook, the executive is not blind to other issues that may not be quite as obvious. “There's a primary reason to buy a PS4, which is great games. The second thing I definitely think has happened is that much earlier in the platform's lifecycle, we are reaching a broader audience than just a core gamer,” he continued.
This, House suggested, is due to the popularity of catch-up services such as Netflix and Amazon Instant Video, which just haven’t taken off in Japan yet. “You see an inherent conservatism around film and TV content holders that doesn't allow for the rise of these brand new services,” he sighed. “I think that that's a factor.”
The affable executive concluded that the lack of tailored software and limited second usage appeal are “colluding” together to lessen the appeal of the next-gen machine in its home nation. However, the organisation is not overly concerned right now, and House is confident that things will change in time. “We'll see [the enthusiasm come among Japan consumers], but unfortunately a little bit later than has happened in other markets," he concluded. Let's hope, huh?
[source eurogamer.net]
Comments 13
Those two Square Enix's titles will never have a date. PS4 will be exactly like Vita was in the first year, Soul Sacrifice > Bloodborne. Soul Sacrifice Delta > Bloodborne Subtitle. Japan Studio will need to rival the content on Vita.
KT are on board, Konami are on board, Capcom is um... Square Enix is um... Niche publishers are getting there, its just taking a while. Whenever the first three company's titles arrive, is when healthiness will occur. Of course the console market isn't exactly getting stronger in Japan.
Overseas? Japan is it's home even if it's being neglected. Nobody cares about media rubbish. It's handy but it had zero impact on my decision to buy.
@SimonAdebisi That was a bit confusing, sorry about that. I've changed it now.
japan likes their handhelds, that's all there is to it. Even the WiiU suffered over there, but not the 3DS. Japan wants handhelds, not consoles. It was a really smart move to launch that system later in Japan, very smart move. Kind of shows the lack of console support over there right now from all sides. I don't feel bad. I mean, even their games are very abstract even for my taste. o.O
I don't think any of the 8th gen consoles will outsell their 7th gen counterparts anywhere.
They need to release ps4p if they want to destroy the Japan market.
Well, since they are not focusing on the Vita anymore (even in the land of portables) then the least we can expect is more PS4 games. Thankfully Squeenix games are kinda exclusives since no one buys Xbox there.
Smart consumers unlike me :-/
The problem here is that Nintendo has the handheld market in a bag since they have those games that people want in a handheld. I would much rather play Mario on a handheld compared to Uncharted which I would rather have on a console. Nintendo just has that certain quality to their games that scream both handheld and potentially consoles Vs. Sony which has all those games that scream CONSOLE!
The Japanese are smart, unlike everyone in the west. I'm waiting to get my PS4. No worth it exclusives yet.
The PS4 is only worth it if you have nothing else to play multiplats on.
Once Bloodborne drops the PS4 will sell like hot cakes over there. I've heard they have already been pre ordering that game.
Come on Kingdom Hearts 3 I've had a key blade shaped hole in my life for too long.
PS4 library currently consists mostly of multiplats that can be played on last gen, the Japanese aren't silly they want a real reason to upgrade other then 1080p they want diverse games.
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