Microsoft: Releasing Xbox One in Japan 'As Is' Would be Difficult

by William D'Angelo, posted 8 hours ago / 1,671 Views

CEO and president of Microsoft Japan Yasuyuki Higuchi had previously stated that Japan is a Tier 2 country for the Xbox One, while the US and Europe are Tier 1. He knows that the Xbox One is geared toward the Western market and if it was sold 'as is' would be a difficult sell.

"(Xbox One) is geared towards a Western lifestyle, and we?re looking at whether or not to launch it ?as is? in Japan," said Higuchi in an interview with 4gamer and translated by Edge. "We?re still figuring out how to deal with things like music and video services in each country. To be honest, (releasing it in Japan) as is would be difficult."

He also added that it won't be released in 2013, "but it will not be delayed very much behind the US." This suggests a release in early 2014.

"More than that, in Japan it is the case that gamers are stepping away from their consoles and using tablets and smartphones to play games instead," said Higuchi. "It will be difficult to expand the volume of consoles in the living room. I?m also looking at Sony?s movements, but Nintendo and so on must be finding things rather difficult."

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gamrfeed/~3/DFmdu71tNBk/

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