Japan’s PC Market Has Become So Huge in Record Time It Proves Xbox Is Winning the War Against Sony

Since the start of the sixth console generation, Xbox has always had a hard time gaining traction in Japan. First, the original Xbox barely made a dent in the market. Then, when it seemed like the 360 had made some progress, the Xbox One ended up suffering significantly against the might of its competitors.

However, even today, the platform hasn’t given up on this venture, with Phil Spencer tirelessly working to change Xbox’s fortunes in Japan, collaborating with Japanese studios, and introducing games on the platform tailored to local tastes. But what Spencer wouldn’t have expected is how Xbox might finally see all its efforts pay off—thanks to Japan’s recent boom in PC gaming.

Japan’s PC Gaming Market Is the New Hot Place to Be for the Xbox Game Pass

Over the past few years, Japan’s PC market has experienced what can only be described as unprecedented growth. You see, there was once a time when the platform was considered niche and hindered by the dominance of consoles from Sony and Nintendo, all while being held even further back by the cultural stigma of PC gaming association with eroge in the country. Thanks for that, PC-98.

However, PC gaming has made some significant strides since the start of this decade, almost tripling in size from 2019 to 2023 and reaching US$1.6B last year, as reported by Japan’s Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association.

So, how is this development significant for Xbox? Well, with the rise of PC gaming, Xbox’s Game Pass for PC is sure to emerge as a key component of the platform. By offering a quintessential Japanese gaming experience, such as JRPGs and Visual Novels, the subscription service can provide a huge win for Xbox.

Not to mention, the PC Game Pass is already hosting a ton of Japanese games, such as Persona, Monster Hunter Rise, the Octopath Traveler duology, nearly the entire Like a Dragon franchise, and the Tales series.

Let’s also not forget the recent additions of the Mana games and Katamari Damacy, along with the highly anticipated Metaphor: ReFantazio from Atlus, which will arrive very soon on the platform.  

Keeping that in mind, this is indeed Xbox’s one big chance to leave its mark. While its consoles may potentially never outperform its competitors, Game Pass for PC offers the platform an incredible opportunity to gain ground in a country traditionally dominated by its rivals.

Sony’s Stumbles This Console Generation Has Also Given Xbox a Massive Boost

The one thing we’ve been keeping for last is how Xbox’s momentum can be further boosted by Sony’s unfortunate missteps this generation. You see, first off, PS5’s sales in Japan are already lower than in the West, something that has never happened before.

Plus, Sony’s recent decision to raise the price of its consoles in Japan hasn’t helped much to the company’s case either. To rub a lot of salt in the wound, the PS5 Pro, priced at nearly ¥119,980 with taxes, is a massive dent in the wallet for an above-average earner in Japan, making the platform even less appealing.

Finally, the glaring lack of Japan-centric titles on the PS5 compared to the previous generation, along with Sony’s own slowed-down AAA output, has left the console suffering from a shortage of Japanese consumers.

So, with the console struggling this badly, Xbox might as well strike the iron while it’s hot and duke it out with Nintendo. While Team Red is likely too strong a competitor to take on in its home turf, Xbox can still capitalize on Sony’s woes by pushing PC gaming harder than ever in Japan.

But with all that said, what are your thoughts on the rise of PC gaming in Japan? Could other factors, such as the rise of VTubers, also be behind its growth? Let us know in the comments below!