Next-Gen Survey in Japan (Famitsu)

[rounin]

PS3, Rev and DS Score Big in Japanese Survey

Gamers and developers selected the PlayStation 3 to be the biggest game-related product for 2006, with Nintendo DS coming in second for both groups. For third place, gamers selected Revolution while developers picked a general category involving network services such as Nintendo's WiFi Connection. Retailers, meanwhile, went with the DS over the PlayStation 3. Revolution came in fourth amongst retailers.

With PS3 and Revolution ranking so highly, it should come as no surprise that both next generation systems are eagerly anticipated. PS3 was selected as most anticipated next generation system by 56.9% of retailers, 53.7% of developers and 46.3% of gamers. Revolution came in at, respectively, 43.9% and 41.4% amongst developers and retailers, but just narrowly missed the PS3 amongst gamers, 45.8% of whom selected it as their most anticipated system. Xbox 360 got the leftovers, to the tune of just 1.7% of retailers, 2.4% of developers and 7.9% of gamers.

 

[drpepper]

In terms of release date, December was the most popular choice amongst developers and retailers for the PS3. Users were split pretty evenly between May and July as top choices. A good percentage of retailers also selected May and July, while a good number of developers selected September.

Wow, the gap between the "gamers" and developers of the release date are so far apart. And these are Japanese results. I'd hazard a guess saying that the developers would have a better insight on the release date. But why are they far apart?

 

[Nicked]

Wow @ PSP love, or lack thereof.....

December was a popular selection for the Revolution's launch amongst developers, with November coming in second. Both gamers and retailers selected November first followed by December. A good number of developers and makers expect the Revolution to not make it out until 2007.

Isn't a worldwide 2006 launch confirmed? ...maybe not then.

 

[drpepper]

Yah no kidding. But really, Sony has the PS3 to fall back on in the Japanese market and will more than make up for any PSP failings.

Though i'm still amazed that the DS is doing phenomenal.

If/when that brain drain game comes out in Canada I'm seriously going to have to consider getting one... Bah, but my stoopid TA'ship runs dry in May!

 

[Lysander]

They could get at least 1000 of them, I think. What is the regular pool size for such survey?

The Online version of Famitsu, Famitsu.com, gathered the opinion of 370 regular gamers.

 

[Guden Oden]

What impact did DoA4 have on the 360 in japan? Hopefully more than the typical interpretation of this particular TLA; dead on arrival...

 

[Serenity Painted Death]

DOA4 had effectively zero impact.

The week previous to its release, the 360 sold 7k units. The week of release it did 12k units. It was back down below 7k the week after and the latest figures available (January 16-22, the new ones should be coming out soon) have 360 at 3k. Pretty depressing stuff. Still well below the opening week of Xbox.

Harder and harder to believe there is any hope for MS in Japan, aside from perhaps picking up the pace and matching the original Xbox.

 

[one]

DOA4 had effectively zero effect.

The week previous to its release, the 360 sold 7k units. The week of release it did 12k units. It was back down below 7k the week after and the latest figures available (January 16-22, the new ones should be coming out soon) have 360 at 3k. Pretty depressing stuff. Still well below the opening week of Xbox.

Harder and harder to believe there is any hope for MS in Japan, aside from perhaps picking up the pace and matching the original Xbox.

Well it had a certain effect, considering the amazing attach rate (60-80% of Xbox 360 owners in Japan have DOA4). But the problem is those who want DOA4 for their otaku/nerd interest are still minority in Japan even though western media like to depict it as if all of consumers in Japan were pervs while games like Animal Crossing are selling like crazy. This niche support by those who bought Xbox 360 only to watch DOA girls is a double-edged sword as it can narrow the scope of the console.

 

[scooby_dooby]

Looks like the real pervs are over in EU, can't wait to see how RumbleRoses does over there!

p.s I would say it's a postitve sign that 8% of consumers were looking forward to 360, but that's like what 25 people? Pretty meaningless.

 

[rounin]

p.s I would say it's a postitve sign that 8% of consumers were looking forward to 360, but that's like what 25 people? Pretty meaningless.

Fortunately for x360, this was conducted on "regulary gamers" if it was done on just random people I'm very sure the percentage for x360-anticipation would be less.

 

[pixelbox]

That is really crazy! People in Japan really dislike psp. I just don't get the craze of DS. Whatever !

 

[dukmahsik]

face it, no console will do well in japan unless it's made by a japanese company, whether it's patriotism or only a japanese company knowing what their gamers want or watever.

 

[Nesh]

Heh that was very ironic.We got many articles of Japanese developers claiming their dislike for PS3 development and their like of XBOX360 development but this survey shows that these are very very few that geberally choose the 360.
Very funny that some people took the small exceptions and posted them as an indication that Japanese developers arent all that satisfied with the PS3 development and that its very hard to develp games on.

 

[dukmahsik]

ps3 will own there as well as rev

 

[one]

Maybe interesting if you compare it with the last year's one...

http://www.beyond3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16463

2005

Developers:
50 % - PlayStation3
32,1 % - Xbox 2
17,9 % - Nintendo Revolution

Dealers:
73,8 % - PlayStation3
21,3 % - Nintendo Revolution
4,9 % - Xbox 2

Gamers:
53,8 % - PlayStation3
39,5 % - Nintendo Revolution
6,7 % - Xbox 2

2006

Developers:
53.7 % - PlayStation3
43.9 % - Nintendo Revolution
2.4 % - Xbox 360

Dealers:
56.9 % - PlayStation3
41.4 % - Nintendo Revolution
1.7 % - Xbox 360

Gamers:
46.3 % - PlayStation3
45.8 % - Nintendo Revolution
7.9 % - Xbox 360

 

[dantruon]

DOA4 had effectively zero effect.

The week previous to its release, the 360 sold 7k units. The week of release it did 12k units. It was back down below 7k the week after and the latest figures available (January 16-22, the new ones should be coming out soon) have 360 at 3k. Pretty depressing stuff. Still well below the opening week of Xbox.

Harder and harder to believe there is any hope for MS in Japan, aside from perhaps picking up the pace and matching the original Xbox.

what did you mean no effect? the sale of xbox360 jumped more than 40% when DOA arrived.

 

[Hardknock]

what did you mean no effect? the sale of xbox360 jumped more than 40% when DOA arrived.

Not to mention DOA sold 60k the first week. So obviously people had picked up the system and were waiting for the game to release.

 

[Sis]

what did you mean no effect? the sale of xbox360 jumped more than 40% when DOA arrived.

It's "effectively" no effect, because in the overall impact, jumping 40% of a small amount for a short period of time is almost the same as no effect.

 

[Serenity Painted Death]

Sis has the right of it, though looking back that was a horrid bit of "English" on my part and I edited the "effect" to impact.

Going from 7k --> 12k --> 7k is wholly unimpressive for a game that was touted as a potential system seller for the market. Though I'm sure at this point MS would kill for 12k a week...

I am somewhat curious as to how the DOA games did on the original Xbox in Japan.

 

[Bad_Boy]

I am somewhat curious as to how the DOA games did on the original Xbox in Japan.

http://forum.pcvsconsole.com/viewthread.php?tid=15959

January 23, 2003 - DOA Volleyball
November 3, 2004 - DOA Ultimate

From the week of Oct 31st 04, to the week of Nov 7 04, sales jumped dramatically
Oct 31 - 271
Nov 07 - 4,959*

But even like Sis said, jumping a huge % of a small number isnt that big affect on the entire picture.