Japanese Love PS3, Hate XBox 360
I came by the Google Trends and I was thinking of an interesting competition to make, and I thought “What’s better than console war?”. So I went and compared PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii. and here is the result:
Pretty obvious Wii came out of no where in 2005 Q4 to take over soon. Xbox 360 over does PS3 for most of the season. And only recently PS3 seems to be catching up with XBox 360, as it is becoming more affordable and has more games. That’s not all you can read from the marvelous Google Trend however. If you take your eyes down a bit to the regional break down you will see this:
What can you see? Xbox 360 is red remember. It is the lowest of all in Japan, and we’re not talking about a tiny difference. Not for any other console or region there is such low demand. Pretty interesting ha! Guess Japanese hate this thing to heart. The other interesting thing I noticed is that United States come at # 8 in ranking for PS3 demand, and does not exceed # 6 for the other two consoles. I didn’t think France, Canada and Spain would be topping the US in video game demand.
Now for a detailed look at how the graph looks for console demand in the land of games, Japan:
OUCH! Very very low for XBox 360. Wii is starting to get competition with the yet to prove PS3.
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Don’t be stupid yardman!! That’s the only ONE of the many obvious reasons. The 3shitty is inferior to the PS3, and NO ONE I man NO ONE like a machine that has a 30% failure rate, or a console has focus’ on FPS!! And now this this ‘HDD required’ coming even more people are going to disgusted by such stupidity!! Go buy a fucking PC instead of a 3shitty, u get the same games w/o the failure rate.
In response to Yardman’s ignorant and quite pointless post, the only reason the Xbox 360 has not penetrated the Japan market is because it still lacks the kind of games that would do real well in the market, especially RPG – hence why Microsoft has worked hard to secure the development of Blue Dragon and Eternal Sonata for the Xbox.
While I’m not an expert in the use of Google Trends, it occurs to me that these graphs are based on 2 things (as referenced in the descriptors embeded in the graph itself):
1) The upper portion of the trend graph is for “Search Volume”
2) The lower portion of the trend graph is for “News Reference Volume”
While one could make the arguement for a correlation, without further analysis, I don’t think it is fair to make the conclusion that any console is any more popular beyond “Search Volume” and “News Reference Volume”.
Just because I’m curious about something does not mean I like or dislike it.
i have to agree. the 360 is for FPS, how many times can you play fsp… personally i dont like a single one, not resistance, not GoW, not gaylo. BOOORING, i need a game that requires thought process, not just reflexes…
The US is known for haveing a low general IQ, where Japan is known for having the highest general IQ. so what to you think it the smarter system?
I cant say that Ps3 is the best system nor, since its not proving it till now in technical aspects. Most games (multiplatform) look better on 360, that is why I not buying it now, and the time from febuary to august was best time for PS3 to catch, now as august ends for there will be a flood of 360 games of all gernes not only fps eg.” Lost odyssey, Bioshock, Blue dragon, Halo 3, Eternal Sonata, Timeshift, Mass effect, Two worlds, Too humans and many more I dont remember at the moment”,
these are console exclusives for 360, also they all are possibly AAA titles, and all other multiplatform game would be there too. For PS3 we have “Heavenly sword, Ratchet and Clank, Uncharted: Drakes Fortune”, and also the 2008 line up is intentionaly not revealed by microsoft U could expect “Alan wake, Ninja gaiden 2, Dead or alive cronus, Bonzie Koziee, Perfect Dark Zero sequel, Dead Rising sequel”. Also the forceful saying of Ps fanboys wont let me buy a PS but will definetly stop me from doing that. I definelty wanna play Killzone 2, Heavenly sword and Final Fantasy 13. So I have decided to buy the Ps3 near abt march 2008. Which will be probably the best time for purchase.
Sean: I see your point. More search does not mean necessarily more fans. But when the difference is that huge, it gives a kind of solid indication. When %90 are searching for PS3 in Japan, it’s a bit illogic to say those %90 are fans XBox 360 and just searching for PS3. For small %5 range that could be possible yes.
I believe as some people have said PS3 serve the type of games Japanese like more, and in addition they would prefer their own product over Microsoft one. Another reason could be the marketing over there. They own the market, they can target it more.
I am not sure if Taxes play a part here. Anyone have idea if Japan has high taxes on imported products?
May be it’s not an argument of which console is better xbox 360 or ps3 .. it’s about being nationalistic ..
@MrMMM: It most likely is in Japan. I’m not a Microsoft fan but it doesn’t make a lot of sense to have that much difference. Still, the difference in numbers are interesting I thought to be shared.
Bashar: I don’t deny what many already know to be true: the PS3 outsells the XBOX360 in Japan. This is due, in part, to reasons mentioned above (established branding, knowledge of market, national pride, etc.). The point you took was the one I intended. The data you correlated has merit when looking at Japan, but I am inclined to slight skepticism about the data comparing popularity in other countries.
me (posting from above – not actually referencing myself): I don’t believe the US is “known for haveing (spelled incorrectly) a low general IQ”. One’s Intelligence Quotient is not based on anything more than one’s ability to learn and utilize complex thought processes. People in the US are actually known for a generally low education level. Education level and IQ are completely independent from one another. IQ is based on genetics, where as education level can be based on monetary class. In other words, poor and dumb are no more equal than wealthy and intelligent.
I admit I took some small offense to this statement as I am from the US.
Sean: OK. I didn’t put that level of education in mind. Japanese are known to be real smart they create the most fearsome gadgets. Look at their robots and you will know.
Please excuse the education level statement. If the US are a bit behind in level of education, Some countries have all they need of money and education yet the only thing they do is import goods. I’m talking about my country here mate, Kuwait.
@Kroms: I don’t know mate :)
wasn’t my intention. I was just expecting 2 comments from you and another friend. Didn’t see this coming.
It’s nice to see more comments coming, but I’d rather see bit more friendly talk.
I mean, we can all play different consoles and still be friends right? :)
No fanboyism here. I was just trying to look at it from a more than just an emperical standpoint.
I suppose we can all be friends :)
This was my humble attempt at coaxing a group cogitation.
For all you ignorant people out there, fps only make up 17% of the 360 library. It’s one of those things that people hear and believe it must be true. Facts are facts.
Did the older 360s have an atrocious failure rate? You bet, but at least they have identified the problems, fixed them, and haven’t left gamers out to dry. As it stands, LIVE beats the balls off anything Sony or Nintendo could do for multiplayer. Anyone who has played Gears or Ghost Recon or Halo can attest to that. IF you want to sit alone and play final fantasy for the fifty seventh time – get a PS3. If you want to have some real fun – get a 360.
Sean: I am sure you were not meant by that word :). Thanks for your comments
360gamer: I have never seen XBox 360 infront of me. I saw many great Halo clips and trailers. I heard from friends its very much fun, and it’s online community might be the best. I did hear however it has high failure rate.
For me, Wii is a choice for family fun. PS3 is for the style of games I like. It is a bit expensive however and for some, PC might do the job.
Well it’s not being nationalistic on the japanese part as there are examples of American stuff they love like fast food joints and that little gizmo they call a IPOD.
Microsoft made the same mistake they did with the first xbox which was very poorly done market research of the japanese market.
And here goes microsoft again but this time with a machine with more quality issues that are even acceptable by anyone’s standards and yet again a handfull of games the japanese are interested in.
Microsoft have themselves to blame for the poor showing again and not nationalistic proganda.
Build a quality product and support the local market with what they want and they will flock to an American product just like the IPOD.
Look, let me sum this up with what we ALL know.
Fact is, every console has its hardcore fans, which I find is a good thing. Hell, I used to be a Sony fanboy myself. My one love was PS2 and although I knew it was technologically inferior to the Xbox and Gamecube it was what I got. My PS2 and I have had some great times together, too.
The reason I DID get it, however, was to play Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. I did get the occasional surprise now then (Katamari Damacy, ICO, Shadow of the Colossus, Viewtiful Joe, the near-perfect Okami, lots of stuff), but being so stubborn I’d cut myself from some pretty awesome games. Psychonauts. Harvest Moon. Panzer Dragoon Orta. Hell, even Halo.
And that’s just what sells a console, right? The games it has. It’s why the guys at Sony are so confident: sure, they might have lost Devil May Cry and GTA as exclusives but they still have their good ol’ Metal Gear Solid for backup. It’ll do well, and it is. Wii has some pretty great games lined-up too. The new Super Smash Bros. looks amazing (and I’m not talking about graphics). Xbox350 just had a pretty great game released called BioShock.
But remember: Western markets have different tastes than the Eastern ones. Odds are something like Zone of the Enders will sell in Japan, but something like, say, Half-Life 2 won’t. It’s know your market, and hand them your games. Technology is very trivial if you know how to market. Don’t you remember Katamari Damacy? :)
I forgot to write one thing.
When I say “knowing your market” I also mean putting-out certain kinds of games for what consoles. To give you an extreme example: Age of Empires would suck on PS3. But also, Ace Combat 5 wouldn’t exactly be a party on PC. Most gamers who use PC as their primary gaming source are old school who prefer to lock themselves up for hours as they consume all that they can from a certain FPS in one day. Most new gamers these days prefer consoles (they were designed for games) and won’t exactly hog it all day – consoles need a TV, and I don’t expect parents will just ignore the fact that their son’s conquered the living room all summer to play FFXII.
Don’t get me wrong, things don’t always follow this rule, it’s not that simple. But it’s a growing tendency, and I hope it flourishes.
Oh, and @ Bashar: pshaw! I rule the day once again. BlogAllAlong is MINE!
Who cares what the japanese like/dislike. They have never been a fan of western consoles/games. Microsoft dosent offer cutsie mario rainbow type games. Its a completely different demographic. Western influence doesnt extend to consoles/games like it has with almost everything else like levis and coke. Japan is loyal to Japan….sony….nintendo. Who needs em? Not MS.
gaiko i am japanese living canada interesting things have been written here mostly pride for there console or who made it or not… bottom line asian people or japanese people who are in asia likes ps3 and nintendo that’s there consloe or system of choice. ps3 for the older mature person and nintendo is for the young ones and for the developing children, as much as a parent they are strict in buying games there. young adult still have to buy w/ their parents thats some good to extent taxes are about the same if you compare to north america it is how much you make if you can buy it…. mostly now a days everything is made in china actually it is cheaper there to buy rather than here.. microsoft has a bad reputation in japan some of the schools there still you dos system instead of the programs available here not because it is expensive but once you learn dos system and so forth it is easier for us to use the computer now a days it is 1 click and that’s it.. it is done solve but the process of solving is not explain to you it is some text that you dont understand… nintendo wii is a good system right now and that’s just a small improvement from gamecube it is more like the controls but the graphics are not much improve but the game play is different. imagine what are they cooking up now at nintendo for there new system i know it is early to say but people are buying the nintendo wii’s like there running out… ps3 and x box 360 has a far better supperior consloe but look who has out selling them… it does not matter where you are as long as you enjoy what your playing you are gonna buy it… but young kids out sells young adult in any department guess what whose on top…pc is still the most exciting computer in the market it still is… case in point i use my pc to write here i dont go and log on on my ps3 or nintendo wii or xbox 360 when thoes things are capable of doing things too..ive written sow much already bottom line in any continent you live in you will probably loyal to how to market console how you market games you wont see hockey games, madden commercial in japan or any other place in asia but here in north america it is big.. we love japanese food because we are japanese.. thank you.
Kroms: [Most gamers who use PC as their primary gaming source are old school who] Thanks for calling me old ;/. I wonder if I will be able to adapt to PS3 controller. I am a %100 PC gamer up till 2 months back!
B Rubble: It is a huge market, and loosing it means loosing a lot of money. Back when Microsoft started, Bill made partnership with Japanese to market his product there the market was so tough to conquer.
gaiko: Let me add another factor that affect which consoles people buy here. Pirate copy availability. People are used to buying 10/15 games at once for less than $8 each. Can you imagine how much this kills the game enjoyment when you have other 14 games waiting. You rush in finishing or skipping good ones right!
Thanks for your comment.
Well I’d have to admit, this post has got 15 times more hits than my whole blog did in any day! :)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. As we are in the speak, for the PS3 record, Kojima studios have committed to more future MGS projects, after saying previously they will no longer be involved.
God of war team is also working on 3 new titles from medium to hardcore focusing on multiplayer. Something PS3 might be lacking right now. So some promising original exclusives are on the way.
On another scale, a stress test of 108 hours on varying high and low temperatures have proven the PS3 to be quite robust according to their test results.
Hi! I’m Japanese. And I run my own personal game site for the world. From that special point of view I could say that the reason why PS3 is so popular and not Xbox360 is the reliability and the quantity of games in various kinds of genre. I myself own all kinds of consoles now. And I love both consoles {PS3 & Xbox360}. I know the both of merits. But if I choose one of them, I’ll choose PS3. Because it is not fragile and has promising game softs now and in the near future{My Xbox360 which I bought at launch has been in red ring problem and will be soon sent to a fixing center.. }But in the same time I wanna do Bioshock /mass effect/Halo3 . And I noticed those are for core gamers not for ordinary gamers. PS3 has many ordinary game-fans and has been responded to their needs. So that’s why Japanese seem to support PS3 so much rather than Xbox360.
pxsuc: Thanks for this information. Unfortunately I can’t read Japanese, so I can’t read your site :). Although I know many are starting to learn that language. It’s the Manga effect.
I think however there is more to the drop in XBox 360 interest in Japan than just the reliability and quantity. In terms of quantity, I think PS3 are just starting so the effect is just starting to show. If reliability is a strong factor I think we should see slightly more relevant trends in other parts of the world.
Thanks though for sharing your thoughts, and I would love some PS3 game recommendations :). I am waiting for Heavenly Sword, MGS, Assasin’s Creed.
@B Rubble: Microsoft is a prime example of contemporary Western gaming. They won’t do well in Japan if they go on with GoW, etc, but, like you said, it doesn’t seem like they care.
One thing, though: “Cutesy” Mario type games are good because they’re new, varied, and fun. It would be boring if all games followed the same general formula, right? (And let’s face it, most games do.)
I must correct my mistakes of early part of some words which said ｛PS3 has many ordinary game-fans and has been responded to their needs.｝ The words should be changed into . So that makes sense any way. Don’t you think so , Bashar?
The words should be changed into ⇒PS3 has should be changed into PS&PS2 have had. That’s it. Sorry another mistake lol. And thx for your comments on me ,Bashar.
MacaholicQ8: I believe it will. Just not yet. It’s time hasn’t come. It’s still in a box waiting for me to open it. And I’m waiting to finish the pile of games I have first :)
Does the XBox Live offered in Japan has its own local Japanese speaking communities? I wonder if language is also a factor as Japanese is known to afraid to speak English?
The lack of game genre and reliability issue of XBox 360 play very minor roles.
I believe nationalism is one huge factor. It is just their buying pattern and showing of loyalty, for so many years, it is virtually unbreakable. If I grown up there, I would do the same if I can find so much high quality goods made locally. There really aren’t many successful well-known foreign products break into Japan market. Apple iPod is a rare exception. If you look around the department store, almost all mechandise are made in Japan or from Japanese brands.
Sports wear – Mizuno, Acis tiger
PC – Toshiba, Sony, Fijitsu
Car – Toyota, Nissan, Honda
Electronics – Sony, Sharp, Panasonic
Camera – Canon, Nikon, Sony
Printer – Epson
Cellphone – Sony Ericsson, Panasonic
the list goes on and on…
stansiu2046: Thanks. You seem to know a lot about the Japanese market. And as a matter of fact, they really don’t need foreign products most of the time.
Hi! everyone. After a short time 、the comversation goes on . It’s really Kool ! And I want to involve my opinion from the very point of Japanese eyes into your comversation again. The Japanese dosen’t tend to rely on reality in games. As you can ensure from the point of japanese comic {
manga} , we are fond of the actions or images that cannot be realized in real life{ Like doragon ball Z /naruto/ one Piece in comics :super mario / bio hazard /silent hill in games} ,or fond of some serious mental aspect deeply, subtlely described which you could probablly catch a glimpse in FF series {Especially: Final Fantagy 7 or 10 } Of course we need and love enhanced visulal capability like the graffics of Heavenly sword , Gear of Wars ,Halo etc, but not so much eagerly as . If microsoft loves and feel the way of FF10 and FF7 much ,and can have something to do with them ,it might catch the Japanese mind and coulｄ do something properly in a Japanese market. Recently I am noticing the Japanese way of description in games is being realized in other counties{Especially God of war 1,2 is incredible & stunning.= I cannot help respecting Mr.Jaffer who made those!} And much surprized to see them of other countries , I am now looking forwards to play heavenly sword/Lair/bio shock/assasin greed and many others. Though,there are still many factors to be discussed to understand the result of Bushar’s Topic , this could be the point of view of mine from native Japanese side lol. Poor English Sorry !
pxsuc: You know what. You are absolutely right there. Something I always find interesting in Japanese is how they always add their cartoony theme to stuff. For example, soccer league weekly program has cutscene of Japanese Captain Tsubasu (Don’t recall the name in Japanese) style.
I also remember once I was watching what was a master piece top quality robots showing off their skills each at a turn over a big city. One guy standing said: This is Japanese answer to American 3D. And it really was. Until suddenly the beautiful 3D turned into cartoonish manga style fast moving hand! I said to my self: “Do they have to ruin this beauty!”
I was shocked really :). But yes your point I think is valid Japanese have their own taste in things, and this taste is being adopted strongly worldwide that people in Kuwait are starting to learn Japanese and travel to Japan for the sake of it! I my self am not big Manga fan. I loved once Guyver though… old i know :>
right now, I’m eagerly waiting for heavenly sword, Assasin’s Creed, MGS, destroy all humans (I just love the title :P)
your are the reason why you’re the most hated people in the world if you critizise a race you are a racist just becuase were working hard does not mean were shit…is working hard a bad thing in america!!!!! we are geeky and ugly probably but we have the atmost respect for all human being….egocentric being loyal to your country and there product is a bad thing? where most of the things right now are made in china where all of the company is predominantly owned by americans and calling japanese egocentric..
maybe im naive about stuff but your just talking about a system of choice to play and have fun with…. im sorry if i offended you by calling you a racist but criticize the product and how loyal we our about are product but dont insult the japanese race. maybe your the most powerful nation in the world but most of the people who live ther in america are intelectually chalenged…
@paj: Sorry I had to disapprove your comment. You may express your opinion if you like, if you think XBox is not selling in Japan because it’s not Japanese you may say so without offending others.
@gaiko: Sorry about getting that in my post.
Gotta love Console Wars.. I hope that people will someday just learn to accept the other console and just live in peace…
I think this is a weak way to compare the two in a years hindsight. Now that 360 has had weeks of out selling the PS3 the past couple of months. I would have thought this line of thought would hold up.
BaldFat: Welcome and thanks for the comments. The graph shows the Japanese interest in Xbox 360 and I don’t see why this is a bad way to compare it. A small difference would not make a lot of sense, but this huge difference definitely shows Xbox 360 has no market in Japan for one reason or another.
bob: Hi bob. That could be on reason, though others might be I guess insufficient marketing in Japan, perhaps taxes, and different game styles. You know the style of gaming Japanese like, Anime and cartoony ones.
The reason I think there is more to it than racist is because, racist usually doesn’t stop all ppl from searching about an entertainment console. They wanna have fun regardless. Some of them at least :)
We will see what happens when all the big rpgs get released on the 360. I think there will be a big jump in the chart.
they Japanese might be smart people but they really not that smart in the human relation department, believe I lived with them for about 7 years.
Abdulsalam: Well my post is old. Thanks for the tip. Maybe it deserves a revisit. I just dont wanna launch another fanboy war :)
I am not American but to say Americans are so dumb is silly. They are (at least currently) one of the worlds super powers. They have many of the most brilliant minds in the world in relations to doctors, scientists, industrialist, technologists,… etc. As far as the xbox not selling- what is a bigger American household brand than Microsoft (At least in terms of the technology/software front). The japanese have always been isolatinists in order for their nation to survive they have to be. Any one notice how many gm, ford, and chrysler vehicles their country sells? Burger chains and coca cola are one thing. Turning there back on their own products is another. Japan would be screaming murder if the US returned the favor.
Lorenzo: Sorry for this late reply. Perhaps this is the fact :). But still, the graph looks so awkwardly funny like this :).
well, I just looked at the statistics for an update on google trends and I’d say that hatred increased a notch.
Guys who ever bought a xbox 360 is stupid even if you are an adult you guys should go get you PS3 it has free online play,plays blu ray and has a whole lot better graphics soo who ever bought one trash it and go buy you a ps3!!!!!
MR.PS3: Heh.. I’m a PS3 fan and never came near Xbox 360 (except once when asked by friend), but I gotta admit Xbox is getting all the cool exclusive games, and recently got their MGS as well. Right now, it’s Uncharted that’s the killing deal on PS3.
I still love PS3 more as bluray player though.
as a ps3 fanboy i must see in this case the japanese are just hating big time…just simple old fashion hate since Sony is there company and microsoft is US
playstation 3 console: There obviously is something I noticed about Koreans and Japanese, which is they have their own thing always.
I love xbox, but then again its cooling device problem inside makes me wanna throw it out of my windows
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Well I did not read all of the comments because quite honestly there is as lot, but I have to say that this is some of the most interesting information I have seen in a long time. I think I am going to go look at what the trends are now in 2010. Ill try to get back here and post again when I find them.
Thanks for the article! Now I have something to occupy my time (looking for interesting market trends)
Kingh Elite: thanks, yeah quote heated debate sparked :). Regardless, Xbox 360 is still small in Japan it seems.
I think they hate it because it’s american..
what the US was as natonalistic as the Japaness..the PS3 would fall off the map.