we should instead talk about how DQ11S is still charting 9 months after release, which is super rare for any JRPG not named pokemon
The myth that only the major and big games matter with everything else being irrelevant is something many don't want to accept but it will become more clear next years.
I think this succinctly summarizes my thoughts on it. I agree with Sony's strategy in terms of global optimization, what they are doing is probably the right move or the most efficient at least. On the other hand, this is a thread about Japanese sales and in the context of the country, their moves can often be confounding.
Sony's strategy is clear for long time now but it's also clear that last years they move away quickly from a sizable part of a Japanese and western market that isn't interested only at a specific type of big budget games.
It seems like PS4 software sales are indeed declining rapidly. It is very apparent in Chris' graph :
So are people just... not suppose to talk about how the PlayStation brand is doing in japan? Yeah we all know Sony doesn't care about japan anymore but that doesn't mean all discussion about an active console in the market should cease
It seems like PS4 software sales are indeed declining rapidly. It is very apparent in Chris' graph :
I get it. But at the same time, why construct narratives that are not based in reality? I think there are reasonable ways to discuss PlayStation in Japan without simply looking at the numbers and making moribund proclamations. As much as this is a thread about Japan sales, I don't think pretending this market is isolated from the rest of the world makes any sense. To have informed and relevant discussion, everything should be considered in the context in which they are being considered by the industry (which is a global one).
I think if you consider Xbox a worst case scenario for where PlayStation is headed (obviously not realistic), it's still clear to me at least that a platform doesn't have to be successful to maintain a presence. I wouldn't say Microsoft is "satisfied" with Xbox in Japan, but are they resigned to it? Yeah, probably. Japanese third parties are still developing for Xbox and releasing them in Japan as well. If there comes a time when third parties realize they need to put most of their software on Switch alongside PlayStation, there will probably always be a subset of consumers who want the high-end experience rather than the convenience of Nintendo's platforms. Even if the PS audience continues to shrink domestically, if the brand is relatively stable globally they won't ever have to abandon their strategy here.
Software sales are normally following a curve. The fact that the PS4 entered this soon and this deeply the declining part of the curve is telling. They lost around ~3m-3.5m units in software in a year.
Yeah, it should be ahead of 3.5M by the next report (although we may not find out if shipments aren't >1M this quarter). The 5M is already underestimating the game, the 10M crowd may be closer to reality. This game hasn't come close to its limit yet despite being over 3M already, so 10M in the long run seems possible imo.
Year number 7 listed is 2019. You can see that the PS4 chart starts at 2, corresponding to 2014.
Those PS3 years 6-8 look pretty impressive, although I guess in the grand scheme of things the absolute performance in not especially high. But the software hold is definitely strong. Did it have big releases between 2011 and 2013 that explain those peaks?It seems like PS4 software sales are indeed declining rapidly. It is very apparent in Chris' graph :
Chris mentionned the collapse of the Wii and increased 3rd party support helped it (FFXIII-2, GTAV, RE6, OPW, Dragon's Dogma ...)
Yup you are right, I was remembering wrong by combining the part about how covid situation might change stuff with the rest of the report.
Probably? The FW digital was around 300k, so it depends. Which would still put it at less than FF13's 1.9 total.
I'm happy both PlayStation and Nintendo are doing good. And they're doing good by staying in their respective lanes. If they were to go head to head like xbox and playstation have been neither would gain from that.
Wait, overall?
If it is your takeaway then you are missing my point.
Agreed. It benefits both consumers and themselves. I have felt this way generally about Nintendo since the Wii. It may not have been the most popular console with traditional gamers, but we already had two consoles which provided those experiences, and on top of that a whole bunch of different experiences thanks to Nintendo. It worked out, and although the Wii U ended up being a misguided effort, them getting back on track now is good news for everyone!
Week by week analysis is very important since long term is built on that as long as you read what is really written in charts.
It seems like PS4 software sales are indeed declining rapidly. It is very apparent in Chris' graph :
My problem with these charts is the complete lack of digital. When you have charts like this for PS4 globally:
Is Japan really that big outlier when it comes to digital?
Yes it is, probably due to the size and health of its used market.My problem with these charts is the complete lack of digital. When you have charts like this for PS4 globally:
Is Japan really that big outlier when it comes to digital?
