Can someone currently living in Japan confirm any of this?
I've now read on multiple forums and business reports that PC gaming in Japan has taken off and is steadily getting more and more popular. It is no longer the "perv" platform for visual novels and hentai games, it's now considered legit just like console gaming. Steam has also become a recognized platform, despite it being wholly American. It's no longer considered obscure there.
In fact, one of the statistics I've seen is that the video game market in Japan is around 50ish percent mobile (as expected), but the rest is split almost completely evenly between console and PC (27% and 23% respectively)
This all came as a result of the boom of "YouTuber" and "Twitch" culture which Japan also 'enjoys' as we do over here in the USA (eurocucks don't matter; jk)
What do you think about that? I always thought there was no way for Japan to even get 5% of gamers to play on PC, but apparently this is happening and it's happening fast.
Also, not a console war thread, just interesting to see how technology is moving overseas.
Last report I heard of was last month and It stated the contrary: PC gaming in Japan is at is lowest since 2011, year from which the decline started.
Grayson Phillips
Here's a report from 2018 about Japanese players' preference for certain platforms. You can see PC and PS4 are very close. Don't forget that console gaming is pretty much PS4 gaming in Japan.
I tried looking for It but the web is all in Japanese and I couldn't get to the report. I read about it in resetters(yeah, sorry) in one of their weekly threads about the sales of videogames in Japan. The report was about the sales of games in different platforms and in that front PC was in their worst position ever. Basically, the report indicted that games do not sell on PC in Japan. In 15 min~ I'll try to be back with the web of the organisation responsible of that report.
Steam is growing very big in Japan, and Konami recently publishes games on GOG.
Japan is also warming up to Xbox namely due to the censorship issue on PS.
PC gaming offers more freedom and less censorship than most consoles.
Jonathan Campbell
Thanks a bunch, that sounds very interesting.
Matthew Barnes
In japan they've got a shitload of disposable income from their work culture, they dump all their money into gacha mobile games and all the top donated streamers on youtube (wordwide) are all vtubers. So the price differential of console and PC wouldn't be an issue I think.
Joshua Watson
>It is no longer the "perv" platform for visual novels and hentai games
Never understood that. PC stores are literally free real estate, especially since you don’t even have to make a physical copy.
Tyler Williams
The PC market is growing since 2016. AMD Ryzen is hot shit in Japan.
Japs still using PC because the VN and porn games. I dont see they playing anything.
Chase Harris
You can literally Youtube jap playing Warhammer TW 2 and Steel Division 2.
Kayden Adams
They're using PC more because of Vtubers and VR.
Brayden Bell
This is what I've been reading on the forums. Some people that (supposedly) live in Japan cited the popularity of Vtubers and such as a reason why a lot of younger players play on PC so they can try and record themselves more easily.
Owen Barnes
I mean a large majority of Japanese games get ported to Steam now. I think only Atlus is the big name left still being hardheaded about shit.
Daniel Perry
given that pretty much any household has a ps4 or switch, not really
Andrew Bennett
Doubt it. Japan is a country that encourage people to work and work some more, get out of the house, be social, get married, etc. and that's why only mobile shit sees success.
John Gonzalez
The Steam Hardware survey suggests that there aren't THAT many
They are ported to PC and sold in Steam, but only outside of Japan. Yes, you can't buy games like Valkirya Chronicles for PC in Japan.
Brandon Edwards
Thanks again, but don't waste too much of your time for me. I trust what's being said in the post there.
Mason Kelly
Wow user, thanks to you for being polite! Have a nice day!
David Thomas
You are the one who's been digging for a report just to help out! Right back at you.
Joshua Nguyen
Wait really? But why? Such a backasswards thing.
James Lopez
Yeah, and I can't find out why this is happening. There is no article I could find that explains why they don't release these games on their own Steam storefront
Adam Hill
historically hasn't there been an issue about housing size? seriously - japanese residential properties can be tiny 1-room deals in some areas, most will accomodate a sofa and tv, a lot won't stretch to a full desktop setup, and the perception of PCs is still need an office desk, base unit, monitor, mouse and keyboard
Some Japs have attitude of "I don't have space for that in my life"
Gabriel Turner
I think this is mostly an issue in big cities like Tokyo, as is the whole "we work for 12+ hours a day and only have time to sleep at home" culture.
Smaller towns in Japan have much more 'normal' lifestyles. At least, that's what I got out of speaking to a supposed Japanese person in chat.
Basically, imagine if you thought the entire USA worked like the big cities (or all) of California where most people don't have enough money to live in an apartment of their own despite working non-stop.
Grayson Flores
No idea man. I think literally all of Bandai Namco'a titles (including the anime-based games) are unavailable on Japanese Steam.
Aiden Garcia
doesn't California have a massive problem with homeless people shitting in the streets?
Gabriel Reyes
That and people living in literal pod apartments that just have space for a bed. At least, that's what I hear. Personally don't live in and never visited California. Based on apartment prices I have seen though, this checks out.
