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Report: Microsoft Continues Its Ambition For A Larger Presence In Japan As It Pursues Several Native Developers

Update:

After the report from Bloomberg began to settle online, it was later revealed in an interview between GameSpot and Xbox lead Phil Spencer that the claims are “not accurate”. While many fans are hopeful to see Microsoft’s debut in Japan as part of its first-party endeavor, that time currently is not planned internally at the Xbox company.

“We’re not usually out there. I say I don’t think so, I mean I’m not in every meeting that every team has, but I’ll say not from me. Most of the opportunities we’ve had to date have been a long-lasting relationship and so, you know, I don’t think we’re out there with, you know, our business card throwing them out on the corner trying to find people.”

This is now another instance that Bloomberg has reported falsely on the endeavors of the console manufacturers. Previously, Bloomberg told that Sony was facing issues with producing enough consoles for launch – costing roughly 4 million to be absent for November. But the firm later made a statement to gamesindustry.biz telling the report to be incorrect.

Original:

Consoles aside, comparing the dominating demographic of users between Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft is a mix. While Microsoft ventures the globe from the United States to other regions, the remaining two reside from Japan. As you might guess, the pair are continuing to battle in the home nation for more ground in the eastern hemisphere. However, Microsoft is ambitious to tread onto Japanese soil in the console race.

While the firm has not held any prominent footing in the region, Microsoft continues to pursue some form of ground in Japan. There are certainly fans that believe Microsoft could bring new content to the region following previously covered rumors on the matter. One involving Sega to handle distribution of the Xbox Series X in Japan – while a fantasy, it sure is creative.

Regardless, there is word of several teams native to Japan being pressed by Microsoft on the endeavor. Bloomberg reports that the Xbox company has approached multiple developers on possible partnerships in the region, but does not spare to list of those that were contacted by Microsoft.

Previously, we have seen attempts from Microsoft to provide Japanese-developed projects for its first-party lineup such as the now-cancelled Scalebound from PlatinumGames. But despite the upset of that title, the firm is on a positive path for success. “The Xbox has a chance to make Japan its second-largest market after the U.S.,” Ace Research Institute Hideki Yasuda stated which Bloomberg relayed.

“Sony’s attention is drifting away and fans have started to notice.” As for Sony, the firm already holds ground in the United States with a handful of teams residing in North America like Santa Monica Studio, Naughty Dog, and Insomniac Games all helming the first-party network of teams. Even Nintendo is in possession of teams on American soil with Retro Studios.

As for Microsoft, the firm could do the same on the other side of the globe to truly integrate Xbox into the market. Even more, talent from Japan could introduce unique experiences to the platform as well. While Microsoft has established exciting partnerships with Square Enix and Sega, the first-party sector is still left unaffected.

Howbeit, Microsoft is hungry to change that. In a recent interview, Xbox lead Phil Spencer tells that the team is looking to further populate the Xbox Game Studios first-party network. Mainly, to benefit the Xbox Game Pass library, but it will also bring results to unique Xbox titles also. You can read the full report by heading here.

What firm do you believe Microsoft should approach for acquisition in Japan?

Source: Bloomberg

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