Comments on: Japanese financial rag says gaming market is “melancholy”

By: Blerk

Blerk — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:27:33 +0000

Since when were Sony concentrating any effort on Japan? Most of its first-party releases for the PS3 have been very, very Westernised. Microsoft’s put more effort into Japanese-style games this generation – and that could well be the nub of Sony’s problems in their own region.

By: Esha

Esha — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:21:34 +0000

Remember a while ago when I said that the Japanese market was really too flaccid for sales to matter? It’s nice to see that cited by what would likely be considered a reliable source.

That’s why I can’t see why anyone would get excited over sales, Sony or Microsoft, and I think that Sony are wasting their time by concentrating so much of their efforts there. This is the evolution of the market, things are going to continue this way and in greater magnitudes, I can’t really see anything that would turn that around.

The only real successes in Japan, the only thing that seems to make any worthwhile amount of money there, are hand-helds. It seems both the PSP and the DS are healthy there, and I’m glad because I like both of ‘em. To be hones though, I think that hand-helds in Japan are the only forms of console gaming entertainment that have a future.

I wouldn’t be surprised if arcades undergo a renaissance there, to be honest. That’d fit the way things are going nicely.

By: morriss

morriss — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:50:49 +0000

…and the DS.

By: Smartypants

Smartypants — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:48:58 +0000

I blame the Wii.

By: Blerk

Blerk — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:16:25 +0000

I’d like to offer my services to the Japanese if they need any assistance combating their declining birth rate.