Xbox One Launching In Japan Starting September 4
UPDATE: A spokesperson from Microsoft has contacted GameSided to clarify that only Japan will see the release of the Xbox One on September 4. “Today we confirmed that Xbox One will launch in Japan on September 4,” the spokesperson informed us. “We will have more details to share regarding additional market availability in the coming months.”
We have corrected the piece to reflect the information made available to us.
ORIGINAL: Providing a more concrete date for the release of the Xbox One in Japan that was revealed about a month ago, Microsoft has now announced that their recent games console will see widespread international release on September 4 later this year. There is no price point made available at time of announcement. Additionally, 48 regional developers are currently working on or have released content for the Xbox One. The full list, available from Microsoft Japan, is provided below:
- Arc System Works
- Atodinku
- Access Games Corporation
- Acquire
- Altus
- Inter glow
- Experience
- SNK Playmore
- Electronic Arts
- Kadokawa Games
- Capcom
- Gung Ho Online Entertainment, Inc.
- Cute
- Grounding Ltd.
- Gref
- Klong Co.
- Cave
- Genki
- Tecmo Koei Games
- Codemasters Ltd.
- Konami Digital Entertainment
- CyberConnect2
- Cyber Step Corporation
- Silicon Studio Co.
- Zoo
- Square Enix
- Spike Chunsoft
- Sega
- Tango Gameworks
- 2K Games
- Teikutsu Interactive Japan
- D3 Publisher Inc.
- Triangle Service
- Nippon Ichi Software
- Hamster
- Namco Bandai Games Inc.
- Namco Bandai Studio
- Business Partners
- From Software
- Bethesda Softworks
- Marvelous AQL
- Mages
- Moss
- Yukes
- Ubisoft
- Land Ho
- Level Five
- Warner Entertainment Japan Co., Ltd.
It seems like, with the following developer support in conjunction with an unannounced Xbox One Japanese exclusive on its way to being announced in the months ahead, that Microsoft aren’t willing to give up console market share within Japan just yet. There are a lot of options available to Microsoft with their console, especially if they push it beyond just a gaming device. The market for console gaming in Japan is fading away heavily in favor of mobile gaming (the article, while foolishly believing the market is doomed worldwide, does touch on Japan’s console issues), but with Microsoft’s app infrastructure it can find external uses that may give the Xbox One some saving grace.
That’s all if everything goes according to plan. Despite the PS4 and the Wii U getting off to a slow start, if any consoles will do well in Japan it will likely be with one or both of these major players. But, with Microsoft looking to make a push with the Xbox One in Japan starting September 4, things might get interesting in the days leading up to release. We’ll just have to wait and see.
h/t Polygon
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