Sony’s shifting PlayStation 4 consoles at a record breaking rate, but in Japan, the format is a bit of a flop right now. That’s because, unlike in Europe and North America, the market doesn’t feel that there’s enough content to justify its existence, which means that it’s getting heavily outsold by the PlayStation Vita and its predecessor, the PlayStation 3.
Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida isn’t worried in the slightest, though, and feels confident that when the content arrives, so will the consumers. “If the games made by Japanese developers further multiply, game fans will gradually begin buying the PS4,” he told Famitsu magazine. “We’re working with publishers to increase the PS4’s user base.”
The Japanese publication followed up that with the Tokyo Game Show right around the corner, next-gen announcements will be a key point. “We consider it a very important point,” the affable executive agreed. Of course, we already know that there may be one big announcement on the way – but it sounds like there could be even more. Who’s hyped, then?
[source famitsu.com, via gematsu.com]
Comments 16
Persona 5 on PS4. Problem solved
Wouldn't be surprised if Gravity Rush 2 got moved to PS4.
PS4 isn't that far behind PS3 in sales. Only the Vita is whooping it...
Looking forward to seeing what Sony have in store to revive their home market. I guess we'll get to see some actual new Vita titles at TGS too seeing as it's relatively popular there...?
Vita. Hopefully they've saved the vita stuff for tgs.
@WebHead Is it bad that I kinda hope it has been?
I think GR2 will end up on all 3 consoles.
@get2sammyb and how likely could it be that Sony may ask atlus to make a PS4 version of Persona 5 now?
FFXV release date 2015 or go home.
I think Sony's worldwide strategy has been sound. The PS4 is not doing great guns in Japan, but the WiiU isn't either and XB is not yet released.
When the games come, it will sell.
I think if Atlus takes P5 to new gen, it'll be for both systems, since the PS3 exclusivity is probably due to dev costs rather than console wars. I kinda need it to be on Xbox One, since my brother is bent on that. But, y'know, I really don't want to have Vita sidelined this hard again.
I'm hoping for SE to start making some noise at TGS. I'm all for the love and attention being given to Realm Reborn, but it'd be nice to have some meaningful updates on FFXV and KH3. I like to imagine a FFXV release date will be the big reveal, but we'll see.
As for Gravity Rush, I just started the original yesterday and, considering the improved gyroscopic controls with the DS4, I think a sequel on PS4 could work really well!
All aboard the hype train once again for destination let down
@Ginkgo The Wii U's outsold the PS4 in Japan by leaps and bounds since the Japanese developers favor it immensely. The Wii U even has the original Final Fantasy games from I to VI on the Virtual Console service as well as Koei Tecmo's historical sims, MMOs as well as Square Enix's Dragon Quest X. I swear, the Wii U would do so much better everywhere if their more sought after titles were localized to the west or at least get rid of region restrictions.
Anyway, there's only so much so many of us can assume about the Japanese consumer base. We don't live there, so therefore we can never tell what they might want or what their preferences are.
What is a common trend, however, is the lack of appeal behind the premium services like PlayStation Plus. I made a comment about this before, but they're already paying out the wazoo for their games (upwards of $100) and they don't have a used game market there, so if they want something new they'll have to buy it new every time. Add the monthly fee of PS+ on top of it and the PS4 looks like nothing more to them than a gold sink. The only games that would have any appeal to them at all would be the ones that accommodate free online play.
That's not speculation. That's observation.
@voodoo341 For my sake, I hope you're wrong. If Sony lets me down this year, I'll be playing on my Wii U with Bayonetta 2 all winter.
@get2sammyb Not at all. The series needs to be on a platform more people have if it's to get any decent exposure.
@WebHead
That's what I'm hoping for, but regardless of what the announcements are, PS4 needs more Japanese games, so whatever is announced that helps in that market is good. I'm holding slight hope for an RE 7 announcement even if I have been disappointed in more recent entries.
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