Phil Spencer has stated that Xbox players can see more AAA releases by Japanese studios come to the platform in the future. Speaking to Game Watch, Spencer said that Xbox will get more games described by the interviewer as “uniquely Japanese AAA titles” down the line.
“Not at all, I think you can expect that,” said Spencer when asked whether there will be more unique Japanese releases like Blue Dragon or Lost Odyssey on the Xbox 360 (via VGC).
Spencer goes on to cite Hi-Fi Rush as a successful unique Japanese game released on Xbox and PC earlier this year. “It may not have been a major title like Blue Dragon, but it was certainly high-quality,” he said.
“There are also Japanese game creators who are part of Microsoft Game Studios, and while there are titles we can’t announce yet, we are currently developing new games in collaboration with Japanese companies,” Spencer continues. “With further growth, including first-party and third-party, I believe you can look forward to the arrival of even more Japanese titles in the future.”
Hi-Fi Rush was developed by Tango Gameworks, which is owned byBethesda, which came under the Microsoft umbrella upon its acquisition of ZeniMax. The studio is known for its work on horror titles like The Evil Within and action-adventure title Ghostwire: Tokyo, with Hi-Fi Rush being more unique, colourful action game with an emphasis on music.