Phil Spencer and the future of Xbox in Japan: gamers can expect “uniquely Japanese AAA titles”

The memory of the Xbox 360 generation is still fresh in the minds of many Japanese video game fans, with such prominent exclusives as Lost Odyssey and Blue Dragon, so the possibility of seeing something like that again is extremely exciting. In an interview with Japanese media Game Watch, Head of Xbox Phil Spencer spoke on a number of topics including the future of the brand in Japan, making the return of such titles to the Xbox ecosystem more likely for many.

During the conversation with Game Watch, Spencer was asked if Xbox would get “uniquely Japanese AAA titles such as Lost Odyssey or Blue Dragon,” prompting the media outlet to ask if it was difficult for Xbox to meet those expectations, to which Spencer replied, “Not at all, I think you can expect that” Words that fill Xbox and Japanese video game fans with excitement, with Spencer clarifying that “In fact, we released Hi-Fi Rush in January 2023. It may not have been a major title like Blue Dragon, but it was certainly high-quality.”

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Xbox and a Japanese market that they want to keep betting on

Phil Spencer seems to be clear that the future of Xbox in Japan is going to be bright, mentioning that “There are also Japanese game creators who are part of Microsoft Game Studios, and while there are titles we can’t announce yet, we are currently developing new games in collaboration with Japanese companies. With further growth, including first-party and third-party, I believe you can look forward to the arrival of even more Japanese titles in the future.”

The head of Xbox and his statements on the future of the American brand have shown his intention to continue betting on Japan. Major releases on Xbox Game Pass and titles in development on which we will have to wait.