The latest issue of Famitsu, Japan’s leading gaming magazine, has just unveiled that Microsoft and Sega aren’t pursuing a partnership after all. It seems that the Xbox Series X is being launched in Japan exclusively by Microsoft. Unlike the Xbox 360 and the Xbox One, Microsoft is looking to take the Japanese market seriously.
Xbox Series X launching in Japan – a breakthrough for the console
It seems that our earlier report of Microsoft distributing the Xbox Series X with the help of Sega were indeed a bad call. It seems the tech giant feels confident about turning over a new leaf with the adamant Japanese gaming market.
The Xbox One launched almost 10 months after the console launched in North America and Europe. The Series X is looking to change that by having the console launch in Japan at the same time as the global launch.
The console also has a hard time (still) keeping up with the competitive Japanese gaming market due to the immense library of games made for Japanese gamers offered by the PlayStation 4 and the Nintendo Switch.
It seems Microsoft is looking to cater to the Japanese market more seriously starting with the Xbox Series X.
According to Famitsu:
In the article, Famitsu has confirmed that Microsoft plans on launching Halo Infinite, Assassins Creed: Valhalla, Scarlet Nexus, and Bright Memory: Infinite to the console for Japan. Unfortunately the article doesn’t mention the arrival of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, which is definitely going to be a feather in the cap for Microsoft’s console, especially for the region.
Microsoft already has a diverse family of studios under the Xbox Game Studios banner, hopefully they can look into acquiring or working with more Japanese publishers and developers to deliver games exclusively to Japan. It is the easiest way to earn the trust and respect of Japanese gamers.
For now, news of Microsoft taking Japan is definitely a game changer. All we have to do now is see if Microsoft is serious about investing in the region, or is it a time-limited gesture.
What are your thoughts on the prospect of the Xbox Series X launching in Japan? Let us know in the comments section below!
