Even if this does essentially result in Xbox being the western RPG console, I don't think that's necessarily bad for the consumer.
The western RPG and the JRPG are really different in terms of design philosophy. There is some audience overlap to be sure, but most are going to prefer one over the other.
Having the Playstation as the JRPG platform and the Xbox as the Western RPG platform is an interesting prospect. That's just each platform catering to its strengths and associations.
It's certainly better than say... back in the day when Americans only got to experience an inferior, content incomplete version of Tales of Vesperia (one of the most iconic JRPGs of all time) on the Xbox 360 with the content complete PS3 version not being localized until the remaster on current gen.
It's unlikely, and who can really say it'll never happen, but why wouldn't Microsoft target some JRPG studios too? I mean, afterall, they were the ones who brought PSO2 to the west... and while SEGA is an iconic company, I could see a world where Microsoft scooped them up.
Who knows what else Microsoft has planned, really.
There is almost no chance in hell that any of the japanese companies would go against their own. They would have to be in dire financial trouble with zero other options. If MS wants to get into JRPG then they will have to make their own.
Also this. The reason why this won't happen is because there is currently little incentive to Microsoft for it to happen.
Purchasing a Bandai Namco, Sega, Koei, Square, etc. to keep it away from Sony would result in a SHARP sales decline for those franchises with a diminished return for Gamepass. Because that isn't Microsoft's current audience. And because Gamepass payouts are made in relation to expected sales loss/expected users on Gamepass, the financial incentive for the Japanese developers is low. To purchase them would be to offer them a disproportionately high amount of cash compared to the value they'd bring Microsoft.
On top of acquiring foreign-owned companies naturally being more difficult to navigate, of course. What's to stop Japan from objecting to its largest studios being bought by a western company? We're currently investigating Tencent for doing the same thing to ours.
Even if this does essentially result in Xbox being the western RPG console, I don't think that's necessarily bad for the consumer.
The western RPG and the JRPG are really different in terms of design philosophy. There is some audience overlap to be sure, but most are going to prefer one over the other.
Having the Playstation as the JRPG platform and the Xbox as the Western RPG platform is an interesting prospect. That's just each platform catering to its strengths and associations.
It's certainly better than say... back in the day when Americans only got to experience an inferior, content incomplete version of Tales of Vesperia (one of the most iconic JRPGs of all time) on the Xbox 360 with the content complete PS3 version not being localized until the remaster on current gen.
None of what you say here would be good for gamers in the long run unless you think what has happened to mmo's with the grand homogenization that has occurred is a good thing?
Can't say I agree with Tales of Vesperia being "one of the most iconic jrpg's of all time" either, I do not think it even makes my top 10, maybe the top 15.
I think maybe you have missed out on lots of jrpgs considering 2008 is "back in the day" for you so I am guessing that influences your opinion.
What happened to MMOs is literally the opposite of companies consolidating and playing to their strengths, so stop using it as an example. Everyone wanted a piece of the WoW pie and independently attempted to emulate it. The few western survivors we have today are those that notably did not just follow the leader.
Exactly what I am saying if you think all wRPG's ending up under the MS umbrella will result in something other than them all being homogenized by M$ and result in some grand variety well, lol you are mistaken. Do you know what "homogenized" means?
I don't care what your list of the top 10 or top 15 entails. That's your list.
Fair enough but then why should I care about your idea that Tales is some iconic end all be all? It's not btw even if in your narrative it is for some odd reason
Point being that Tales is one of the largest and most enduring JRPG franchises with Symphonia, Vesperia, and Abyss being the games that are most brought up as the peak of that series.
Err no not the most iconic or even top selling jRPG's, it's not even in the top 5 most selling jRPG so...okay you really like it great but don't mistake that for most iconic and use that as an example/argument to prove a point because factually you are wrong so your argument would therefore be flawed...
Btw if you want to argue or equate most iconic with top selling as you seem to be doing and then compare older game series like Zelda or etc with newer games you are not being very "fair or objective". Obviously the video game/mmo market was no where near anything as huge as it is today back then so comparing sales from back then to today is somewhat disingenuous since even a super successful game back in the 80's or 90's would have no where near the sales potential as even some crappy, not as good games being sold today simply because of the vast difference in today's market from back then.
By the way, I have gone back to play some of those games I "missed out on." (I was plenty alive for them). I won't deny their legendary status, but they were very much games of their time. Games that would not exactly compare favorably to the best modern genre entries. Not unlike certain other rose-tinted games (caugh, Ocarina of Time, caugh).
Not sure what you are getting at here as you contradict yourself, first you say you went back and played some of the older games and say you wouldn't, "deny their legendary status" but then say they would suck (sorry you said not compare favorably, same difference though) if made today or remade today...er I beg to differ and so does the FFVII remake. Frankly lots of those old games would do well with a huge facelift and not everyone is a "action hero"
...some of us both old and young still like turn based.
I can definitely say not all modern games measure favorably to some of the older games too...you do realize they became franchises for a reason there yes?...
Brenics ~ Just to point out I do believe Chris Roberts is going down as the man who cheated backers and took down crowdfunding for gaming.
The idea of Bethesda and Obsidian having to play nice again is actually funny. But with both of those in hand, Microsoft now owns 2 of the biggest pillars of the western RPG. I wonder if purchasing Bioware from EA, a studio of ex Bioware developers, or CD Projekt are next.
CD Projekt is Polish and they aren't exactly a tiny studio, I doubt they would fold into MS.
I don't think it's likely, given how much they prize their independence and consumer image. But I also wouldn't call it impossible given Microsoft money.
Not sure what them being Polish has to do with it as the team now has studios now all over the world including US, Canada, England, Sweden and Japan but it is not CD Projekt.
Maybe it's EA itself
Nope - Microsoft is in talks with SEGA
Honestly for me this is like.. /shrug
Ya only Sega game I like is All Star Racing line. Im a sucker for games that let me couch co-op with 2 or more friends. So MEH!
The idea of Bethesda and Obsidian having to play nice again is actually funny. But with both of those in hand, Microsoft now owns 2 of the biggest pillars of the western RPG. I wonder if purchasing Bioware from EA, a studio of ex Bioware developers, or CD Projekt are next.
CD Projekt is Polish and they aren't exactly a tiny studio, I doubt they would fold into MS.
I don't think it's likely, given how much they prize their independence and consumer image. But I also wouldn't call it impossible given Microsoft money.
Not sure what them being Polish has to do with it as the team now has studios now all over the world including US, Canada, England, Sweden and Japan but it is not CD Projekt.
Maybe it's EA itself
Nope - Microsoft is in talks with SEGA
Honestly for me this is like.. /shrug
EDITED- Disregard.. I missed SEGAS announcement apparently and it was a bust.
The idea of Bethesda and Obsidian having to play nice again is actually funny. But with both of those in hand, Microsoft now owns 2 of the biggest pillars of the western RPG. I wonder if purchasing Bioware from EA, a studio of ex Bioware developers, or CD Projekt are next.
CD Projekt is Polish and they aren't exactly a tiny studio, I doubt they would fold into MS.
I don't think it's likely, given how much they prize their independence and consumer image. But I also wouldn't call it impossible given Microsoft money.
Not sure what them being Polish has to do with it as the team now has studios now all over the world including US, Canada, England, Sweden and Japan but it is not CD Projekt.
Maybe it's EA itself
Nope - Microsoft is in talks with SEGA
Honestly for me this is like.. /shrug
I, on the other hand, would be disappointed. Sega itself is a haphazard idiot of a company (just look at the embarassing perpetual faceplant of their mascot). However, they do own Atlus, one of the best modern JRPG developers.
The idea of Bethesda and Obsidian having to play nice again is actually funny. But with both of those in hand, Microsoft now owns 2 of the biggest pillars of the western RPG. I wonder if purchasing Bioware from EA, a studio of ex Bioware developers, or CD Projekt are next.
CD Projekt is Polish and they aren't exactly a tiny studio, I doubt they would fold into MS.
I don't think it's likely, given how much they prize their independence and consumer image. But I also wouldn't call it impossible given Microsoft money.
Not sure what them being Polish has to do with it as the team now has studios now all over the world including US, Canada, England, Sweden and Japan but it is not CD Projekt.
Maybe it's EA itself
Nope - Microsoft is in talks with SEGA
Honestly for me this is like.. /shrug
I, on the other hand, would be disappointed. Sega itself is a haphazard idiot of a company (just look at the embarassing perpetual faceplant of their mascot). However, they do own Atlus, one of the best modern JRPG developers.
meh more like paterniships, since sega is trying to get a hold on pc gaming, since a lot of they games are now comming to pc, just waiting for P5 actually lol
Cancelled sub to ESO already. Buying a PS5. Microbad will not get one penny of my money.
Besides being a 6 year subber to ESO and have watched it crater in terms of performance I don't care. Bethesda has sucked big time for the last couple years. I do not see this as an improvement.
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Purchasing a Bandai Namco, Sega, Koei, Square, etc. to keep it away from Sony would result in a SHARP sales decline for those franchises with a diminished return for Gamepass. Because that isn't Microsoft's current audience. And because Gamepass payouts are made in relation to expected sales loss/expected users on Gamepass, the financial incentive for the Japanese developers is low. To purchase them would be to offer them a disproportionately high amount of cash compared to the value they'd bring Microsoft.
On top of acquiring foreign-owned companies naturally being more difficult to navigate, of course. What's to stop Japan from objecting to its largest studios being bought by a western company? We're currently investigating Tencent for doing the same thing to ours.
Exactly what I am saying if you think all wRPG's ending up under the MS umbrella will result in something other than them all being homogenized by M$ and result in some grand variety well, lol you are mistaken. Do you know what "homogenized" means?
Fair enough but then why should I care about your idea that Tales is some iconic end all be all? It's not btw even if in your narrative it is for some odd reason
Brenics ~ Just to point out I do believe Chris Roberts is going down as the man who cheated backers and took down crowdfunding for gaming.
meh more like paterniships, since sega is trying to get a hold on pc gaming, since a lot of they games are now comming to pc, just waiting for P5 actually lol
Besides being a 6 year subber to ESO and have watched it crater in terms of performance I don't care. Bethesda has sucked big time for the last couple years. I do not see this as an improvement.