Finally, Microsoft will return to Tokyo Game Show and will have on display eight playable Xbox One games including the highly anticipated Titanfall and Crimson Dragon. This marks a return to TGS for Microsoft after a one-year hiatus from the trade show – and it couldn’t come soon enough – because the Xbox 360 is basically a failure in Japan.
The eight Xbox One titles that will make an appearance at TGS – FIFA 14, Kinect Sports Rivals, Crimson Dragon,Forza 5, Ryse, Max: The Curse of Brotherhood, Killer Instinct, and Titanfall – will mark the first time that many of these titles will be played by the public. There’ll also be an Xbox 360 section with 21 playable games, including of Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2, and Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z.
Microsoft’s re-establishment at TGS could be a sign that the company is renewing their focus on Japanese markets. It’s no secret that sales for the Xbox 360 were dismal. Both the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii consoles outsold the 360 and fell well below the two million units sold figure that was previously established by the original Xbox.
It’s unlikely that the Xbox One will outsell the homegrown competition from Sony and Nintendo unless it put its focus – and games – back into the Japanese market. It doesn’t help that a release date has yet to be given for the Xbox One in Japan, although Microsoft has promised to hold an event in Japan to reveal more information. Hopefully the brass at Microsoft will realize now is that time and TGS is the event to do it.
