Japan's Gaming Predictions for 2008

[CantGetAWii]

The latest issue of Famitsu magazine featured an article on predictions for the Japanese market for 2008.

First, let's check out cumulative hardware sales for the platforms in Japan. They are (as of December 23, 2007) as follows:

DS - 20,916,560 units
PSP - 7,377,329 units
Wii - 4,456,959 units
PS3 - 1,623,671 units
Xbox 360 - 539,143 units

With the DS sales over 20 million units and PSP sales reaching the 7 million mark, the market in the land of the rising sun seems to have shifted from the traditional consoles to handhelds. Ritsumeikan University professor Akinori Nakamura says that may not necessarily be the case. "This year onwards, big anticipated titles will finally make its way to consoles. This should steal the limelight away from handhelds." Game journalist Kiyoshi Shin also agrees by adding, "Hardware will continue to sell, and sales base for consoles will probably be higher than those of handhelds."

Regarding market share, JP Morgan senior analyst Eiji Maeda believes that, "Wii is still going strong with the popularity of Wii Fit. The software also has high expectations in North America." Shin also adds, "The market will probably be lead by the Wii. But there is a concern whether third parties are able to deliver big titles."

As for the PS3, Nakamura believes "Sales of Metal Gear Solid 4 will be a major key. How the market will react to the new generation of games will influence future software development." The Olympic year is a big year for a surge in sales of televisions in Japan. With this in mind, Shin believes that the demand for HDTV will possibly be a positive factor for consumers to pick up a PS3. Finally, Maeda brings up quite the ideal scenario for consumers: "a new model featuring the 40GB price point but with PS2 backwards compatibility and Dual Shock 3 packed in."

As for software, most retailers have high expectations on Dragon Quest IX for the DS, Monster Hunter 3 and Super Smash Brothers Brawl for the Wii, and Monster Hunter Portable 2G for the PSP. While they are all safe bets, choices for PS3 seem to rely on popular franchises such as Final Fantasy XIII, Metal Gear Solid 4 and Resident Evil 5, all of which have release dates that are still uncertain. On the opposite side of the spectrum, their choices for Xbox 360 almost seems like a mockery, naming niche titles such as Idol Master Live For You and the first 360 love simulation game Clannad. At least they bothered to mention more familiar titles like Bioshock and Ninja Gaiden II as possibilities.

Source:
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3165331

 

[T3kNi9e]

Haha, Microsoft doesn't seem to give a rats ass about Japanese.

 

[largedarry]

Haha, Microsoft doesn't seem to give a rats ass about Japanese.

Maybe its because the japanese don't seem to give a rats ass about microsoft.

 

[Wii_Smurf]

Maybe its because the japanese don't seem to give a rats ass about microsoft.

QFT
:lol: agree 100%

 

[T3kNi9e]

Thats the dumbest thing I heard. Japanese dont care for Microsoft because they hardly have any Japanese games at all. How do I know this? Well there are these guys on Xbox.com forums who live in japan and they were telling us about it.

 

[wezeles]

well think about it... japan is home to nintendo and Sony of course they dont go for Xbox as much they wouldnt make much money in it besides game sales.. the consoles are still assembled in the US.

japan is the way the states use to be before we shot our economy down the toilet by importing everything... they buy japanese products first, support there own buisness before someone elses... although just for the few extra bucks you think they would pop the PS3 japanese games onto the 360 aswell...

if microsoft were to invest more money in japan then they would probably be doing alot better... although they do dominate the states right now, they could have it all, it would take some good marketing and buisness strategy to get worlwide domination but they could pull it off with the money they have.. mwa ha ha