Xbox "invisible" in Japan - developer reveals the problem

Despite Microsoft's attempts to build relationships with Japanese developers, the words of the creators of Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin show the real state of affairs. Even with personal affection for the brand, business reality in Japan turns out to be harsh.

During a social media discussion, a fan asked about porting future projects from Edelweiss studio to Xbox. One of the developers, Koichi, answered directly. He admitted that he has an attachment to the platform since the first Xbox.

However, the studio's resources are limited. According to him, the team is not able to simultaneously prepare versions for a large number of platforms. Priority is given to those with a larger audience and higher recognition.

The main argument is the almost complete absence of Xbox in Japanese retail. According to the developer, the console is often impossible to buy in large chain stores.

If the device is not on the shelves and does not reach the mass consumer, it is difficult for small studios to invest in separate game versions. Releasing a project on a platform that locally almost does not exist in the consumer field is associated with too high a financial risk.

The studio makes it clear: future projects will most likely bypass Xbox and focus on Steam. For Asian developers, PC has become the main way to reach a global audience.