The Xbox One launched in Japan last month, and predictably, it… sank without a trace, like a stone. Its debut was the worst debut for a console in Japan, ever, and just a week after release, it was already selling sub-10,000 units per week. In other words, the launch was a disaster, and for Microsoft, who had hoped to have a stronger third showing, it probably came as an unpleasant shock.
As Kotaku reports, Microsoft isn’t necessarily pleased with how the Xbox One did in Japan at launch:
“It’s not as though we’re satisfied with the current sales state. We hope to continue through taking user feedback and improving [the Xbox One] and offering content that everyone can enjoy. We are also aware that reaching out to let more people know about the Xbox One is vital. However, the current console generation has become very long. We hope to lay out a long-term vision and to focus on publicity for our console. Taking the first step was very important, and as for how to permeate the market from here, we hope to continue to do our best,” said Xbox Japan’s Takashi Sensui.
Kotaku adds that in the very same interview where Sensui made this remark, Phil Spencer added that the Xbox One would need time to spread throughout Japan, and that they needed a long term strategy to do so, further stressing that both Japan, and Japanese game creators, are important to the Xbox brand.
Yeah, good luck guys. Really. I hope the Xbox recovers in the country.