The official announcement regarding the release of Xbox Game Pass in Japan was made during yesterday’s “Inside Xbox” stream, which also featured gamer trailers, DLC and update news, and additional details about the upcoming Xbox Series X console.
On Wednesday, April 8, the head of Xbox, Phil Spencer took to YouTube to chat about the exciting news with Japanese audiences. Recording from his own home due to the current COVID-19 quarantine, Spencer even greeted his fans in eager, confident Japanese! Nice job, Phil!
Spencer confirmed that Xbox Game Pass for Japan will include the Console, PC, and Ultimate versions. It will debut on April 14. Spencer also highlighted some of the titles that Japanese gamers will be able to access via their brand new GamePass, including Minecraft, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Yakuza 0, and more. Game Pass for Japan will officially debut on April 14.
“The gaming market in Japan, fans in Japan are incredibly important to me and to team Xbox,” stated Spencer. He also spoke very highly of the support which Team Xbox has received from their associates in Japan and around the world, which helped make the new Game Pass release extremely smooth.
Previously, the Xbox has experienced only limited popularity in Japan. Xbox consoles have been stated to “lack Japanese appeal,” especially when contrasted with Nintendo and Sony offerings. Spencer is eager to improve Xbox’s role in the Japanese gaming community through the release of both Game Pass and the Series X console later this year.
In addition to this exciting announcement, it was also revealed that South Korea will be receiving the PC version of the Xbox Game Pass. It will also be available beginning April 14.
It remains to be seen whether or not the release of Xbox Game Pass for Japan will successfully increase Xbox’s popularity in the country. Hopefully, at least, it will be able to introduce a lot of popular Xbox titles to excited Japanese gamers for the very first time!
