Will Xbox Create AAA Games From Japan? Phil Spencer Says “You Can Count on It”

Published 09/24/2023, 12:45 PM EDT

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Microsoft’s Xbox as a platform is doing just okay; it’s basically last in the run of the most successful consoles out there. Even when there was strong competition from its rivals, it was never very popular in Japan. That country has always remained the battleground for Nintendo and PlayStation.

It’s so nonexistent in Japan that companies like Square Enix only release their massive RPGs on either PlayStation or Nintendo’s consoles. But if Phil Spencer is to be believed, this is about to change, and Xbox is going to get AAA games from Japan.

Phil Spencer hints at the possibility of big-budget Japanese games on Xbox!

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When it comes to releasing their games, Japanese publishers are often a bit orthodox. They release their games on consoles and platforms that have had a strong position in Japan for a very long time. Nintendo and Sony PlayStation are naturally the obvious choices for them. Xbox One, on the other hand, came too late and failed to generate any kind of fanbase in Japan.

Phil Spencer has been trying to change this ever since he took the mantle of this console. And it looks like he has already laid the groundwork too; big names like Persona and Yakuza are making their way to Xbox Game Pass. But Spencer’s plans do not stop there; in a recent interview, he claimed there are chances of even bigger games coming to Xbox in the future.

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When asked if Xbox is going to create AAA titles from Japan like Lost Odyssey and Blue Dragon? he specifically said, “You can count on it.” he continued“Japanese game creators are also within Microsoft Game Studios, and while some titles have yet to be announced, we are also working with Japanese manufacturers to develop new games.” This is not at all a small thing; if Microsoft ends up securing something as big as Final Fantasy for Xbox, they might yet have a chance in Japan.

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Japan has always been a thorn for Microsoft

For those unaware, the Japanese market has hardly warmed up to Microsoft’s Xbox. The consoles have always had a hard time escorting buyers in that market. Fans might still remember the time when the Xbox One sold just 23,562 units in Japan during the first four days of its launch. In contrast, the PlayStation 4 sold 322,083 units during its first two days.

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Even Nintendo’s biggest failure Wii U sold 308,570 units during its initial two days in 2012. While Xbox Series consoles did significantly better, they have yet to match the success of the other two. And Phil Spencer’s push towards bringing more Japanese AAA titles to the console might just do the job.

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Written by:

Rohit Sejwal

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Rohit Sejwal is a veteran eSports writer at EssentiallySports, with a passion for gaming that has been fueled by over a decade of experience in both playing and writing about games. His deep understanding of gaming and its finer nuances is evident in his engaging and insightful coverage of eSports. With a Masters degree in Science in film-making, Rohit brings a unique perspective to gaming, viewing it as a perfect blend of science and art.
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Edited by:

Ananya Giri