Pachter: Microsoft's RPG Chase "Not Worth It"
Final Fantasy XIII was about the only one to make a difference, says analyst.
Microsoft has spent a lot of effort (and money) luring Japanese RPG studios to the Xbox 360 - with the biggest coup being the multiplatform release of Final Fantasy XIII. But Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter believes that it's all been in vain.
"In a word, no I don't think chasing Japanese RPGs has been worth it," the Pach told IndustryGamers in a regular column. "The 360 has not really done much in Japan, and the RPG audience in the U.S., while sizable, is still a niche audience."
He adds that it has only really been worth catching the big names, and noted that Microsoft has been right in gunning for the Square Enix franchise, that has a huge following in the West. "Most of the others have not been particularly successful, and haven't moved the needle in selling hardware in Japan."
While Final Fantasy XIII has certainly been the biggest RPG to hit the Xbox 360, and Microsoft has been at pains to take advantage of the console's larger market share in the West through aggressive advertising, sales of the 360 version have lagged behind those on the PlayStation 3.
"In a word, no I don't think chasing Japanese RPGs has been worth it," the Pach told IndustryGamers in a regular column. "The 360 has not really done much in Japan, and the RPG audience in the U.S., while sizable, is still a niche audience."
He adds that it has only really been worth catching the big names, and noted that Microsoft has been right in gunning for the Square Enix franchise, that has a huge following in the West. "Most of the others have not been particularly successful, and haven't moved the needle in selling hardware in Japan."
While Final Fantasy XIII has certainly been the biggest RPG to hit the Xbox 360, and Microsoft has been at pains to take advantage of the console's larger market share in the West through aggressive advertising, sales of the 360 version have lagged behind those on the PlayStation 3.
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Comments
bukkow 24 Mar 2010 13:19
1/3
that's because they're not about shooting things.
ND 24 Mar 2010 13:55
2/3
...and also they are a niche market. I like the idea of JRPGs and I have been sucked into the hype previously, but I really don't find them all that rewarding/interesting compared to Western RPGs.
alexh2o 24 Mar 2010 16:37
3/3
Saying its all been in vain is a very broad statement to make!
-How much worse would 360 sales in Japan have been without them?
-How many BIG games are/will be ported to the 360 thanks to the efforts of trying to get everything multiplatform?
-What effect will having JRPGs on board have for the 3rd gen Xbox in Japan?
-How much worse would 360 sales in Japan have been without them?
-How many BIG games are/will be ported to the 360 thanks to the efforts of trying to get everything multiplatform?
-What effect will having JRPGs on board have for the 3rd gen Xbox in Japan?