Phil Spencer has said that Xbox is working “every single day to increase our line-up of Japanese games”, in order to “help bring Japanese games around the world.”
Speaking during the Xbox Showcase at Tokyo Game Show 2021, the Head of Xbox was asked about the company’s commitment to Japan by Tango Gameworks founder Shinji Mikami. “It’s an honour to support [TGS] and our Japanese partners,” Spencer replied. “We’re working with Japanese publishers every single day to increase our line-up of Japanese games on Xbox. We know it’s really important to fans and customers on Xbox.”
Earlier in the show, Spencer had reiterated that Japan is the fastest-growing market for Xbox anywhere in the world, and it’s clear that the company wants to make the best of that burgeoning interest. Spencer points out that there have been over 100 Japanese titles on Xbox Game Pass, 200 Japanese indie games in the ID@Xbox program, and that the company is actively working on console supply issues. He also announced that Cloud Game Streaming is launching in Japan on Tuesday.
However, Spencer made clear that the company’s interest isn’t just in increasing the number of Japanese Xbox fans, but to actively become part of bringing more Japanese-made games to other areas: “We’re excited by the growth of the Japanese gaming market, and we want not only to participate, but to help bring Japanese games around the world.”
Xbox has had a famously difficult history in Japan, something it’s actively been looking to improve on with the Series X and Series S consoles – and early signs are seemingly looking good. While Spencer has previously played down rumours that Xbox was looking to acquire Japanese developers, it did get one, Tango Gameworks, when the company bought Bethesda this year.
Joe Skrebels is IGN’s Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.
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