[22/12] Japanese Charts: FFXIII-2 debuts with 524k

[Ohri-Jin]

Wed, Dec 21, 2011 | 16:03 GMT

Japanese charts: Vita launch fails to topple 3DS, FFXIII-2 debuts with 524k

Despite the launch of Vita last weekend, Nintendo’s 3DS still sits atop of the Japanese hardware charts, but Final Fantasy XIII-2 debuts with less than overwhelming sales numbers.

XIII-2 topped the software list for the week ending December 18 with 524,217 copies sold. This is a marked drop compared to Final Fantasy XIII, which sold between 1 million and 1.1 million units in Japan on day one alone in 2009.
The sales are for the PS3 version, with the 360 SKU not charting in the top 20.
The highest charting Vita launch title was Hot Shots Golf 6 in seventh, followed by Uncharted: Golden Abyss at eighth.
Also debuting inside the top 20 from Vita is Shin Kamaitachi no Yoru: 11 Hitome no Suspect, BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend, Dynasty Warriors Next and Lord of Apocalypse.
[FONT=94f45891bedd09b4026a7580#542500]3DS holds off Vita in hardware battle[/FONT]
But Vita itself was unable to dislodge 3DS from the top of the hardware charts, with Vita selling 324,859 compared to 3DS’s 367,691.
PS3 came third with 65,119, while PSP maintained strong pace with 64,468 units sold.
The top ten software and hardware for the week ending December 18 is below. Last week’s data is here.
Thanks, GAF.

1. Final Fantasy XIII-2 (PS3) – 524.217
2. Monster Hunter 3G (3DS) – 208.427
3. Mario Kart 7 (3DS) – 182.418
4. Inazuma Eleven Go: Shine / Dark (3DS) – 135.259
5. Super Mario 3D Land (3DS) – 112.533
6. Kirby’s Return to Dream Land (Wii) – 71.028
7. Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational (Vita) – 61.412
8. Uncharted: Golden Abyss (Vita) – 48.224
9. Just Dance Wii (Wii) – 44.021
10. PokePark 2: Beyond the World (Wii) – 43.829

• 3DS – 367.691
• PlayStation Vita – 324.859
• PS3 – 65.119
• PSP – 64.468
• Wii – 60.916
• DSi LL – 5.600
• DSi – 3.523
• DS Lite – 32

Source - http://www.vg247.com/2011/12/21/jap...ails-to-topple-3ds-ffxiii-2-debuts-with-524k/

 

[Sexy Beast]

Only in japan, I tell ya.

Seriously, it's like Japan actually like the crap that SE's been pulling out of their asses lately. But hey, I'm not Japanese, so I don't get it. I just have one thing to say to you SE people: Balls to you sir.

 

[Ohri-Jin]

XIII-2 topped the software list for the week ending December 18 with 524,217 copies sold. This is a marked drop compared to Final Fantasy XIII, which sold between 1 million and 1.1 million units in Japan on day one alone in 2009

Actually the game is not that highly demanding=DEMANDED. I reckon the sales will be worse than the first one. Even SE admitted FFXIII wasnt that succesful.

This is only Japan/PS3. Perhaps EU and NA can change this and make the game a hit. lol

 

[Sexy Beast]

I can just imagine Martel raging about this. But hey, I am going to be completely objective to say that XIII-2 probably is gonna stink shit. I just hope the voice cast(lol they always fuck that up too) won't be dreadful...just pray to god that the VC are good.

 

[Shaissa]

XIII-2 topped the software list for the week ending December 18 with 524,217 copies sold. This is a marked drop compared to Final Fantasy XIII, which sold between 1 million and 1.1 million units in Japan on day one alone in 2009

I thought that they sold that by the end of the weekend for FFXIII

But back on topic, yes it sold less than the original...but when has a sequel of a FF game ever sold more than the original?

I have to say it has to be one of the higher selling sequels to a FF game in a day I think... I think I'm going go look that up later...

 

[Linnaete]

Excellent numbers. More than Ninokuni, but less than Xillia and Final Fantasy X-2!

That is practically a third of FFXIII's numbers. Basically, 2/3 of the audience that bought the first game on its release haven't bothered to show up this time round to purchase its sequel. 500K is usually a good number for any new game coming out in Japan, but it's very underwhelming for a Final Fantasy title. To even get to the 1 million mark now seems a struggle. Still, no pressure on Nomura there for Versus!

Why this is could be down to anything, namely the backlash of the first game, though I was always under the impression that Japan liked the game a lot more than we have. Huh, I guess even its huge sales numbers there also mask what the general consensus of the game is then. Or perhaps, people just aren't as keen on how his sequel looks, for whatever reason? They're not fond of the idea of direct sequels? For some reason, the female audience just aren't as interested in this installment, which is a bit fascinating.

I know I can't help but cringe every time SE turns round and declares a new batch of DLC even before the game was even out in the country. I also cringe at what they call storytelling. The dialogue looks awfully juvenile and hammy, while the whole premises is still very much anime-like. And I still can't believe that Toriyama is still holding onto his job. That man has shown time and time again that he's just not up to the job at all.

 

[Rey]

These sales are good and bad. Moderate, if you ask me. If this can not do better than Final Fantasy X-2 sales wise, than it is already shown to be less of an advantage for the final fantasy series. The sales will rise high when Versus releases is a millennium, though. Knowing Square Enix, they will just go overboard with a Final Fantasy XIII-3 after they get bored of giving dlc to XIII-2. This is just going to become a terrible project if anything. Toriyama: *laughs* We are delaying Versus, and we promise you that XIII-3 will be more evolved than its predecessors! Oh wait...

 

[Nocturne]

To be fair, they only shipped a little under 900,000 copies. Plus where I read, they stated that the female audience for the game dropped significantly from FFXIII, which kinda makes sense considering they made Serah show alot of skin and made that a focus for her character.

SE never said FFXIII was a failure to them sales wise. I dont know where you got that. Worldwide its sold like 5-6 million copies.

It still did sell low though (FFXIII-2) comparing to the other games in the series. Even FFX-2. This could be chalked up to less interest in the game or due to a lower install base of the PS3 compared to the PS2. The PS2 was a beast back in the day, TONS of people had it.

 

[Noblesse Oblige]

Okay, I hate to sound brutally honest but this must be said...

Sales in Japan don't mean jack s*** if it doesn't sell well internationally. Sure, while Japanese companies would sell well in Japan, and would probably contribute to a good, say 30, 35 or even 40% of a business' income, but when you consider that the majority of your money is coming from the West in general, and the United States and Europe in particular (and by Europe in particular, I mean mainly the United Kingdom), then that would make those sales meaningless...

The way I see it, the number of units sold in Japan, are most certainly are going to be reduced by a third at minimum and by 2/3rds at maximum if you look up those same games and how many units are sold in the United States...it just shows that Video Gaming, especially those from Japan are in decline, something I've been spouting out since over the summer.

 

[Gingerbread Lesbian]

The Japanese gaming market needs to just hurry up and die instead of disappearing at the slow rate it is now. When Final Fantasy starts to sell poorly in Japan you know it's just a time to stop. Serves them right for not embracing Western ideas earlier. Sucks to be a Japanese developer right now.

 

[The Witch]

Is this good or bad?

I guess after learning that Modern Warfare 3 grossed $1,000,000,000 in two weeks anything falls short.

I don't think it will do any good here in the U.S., though. People just don't like final fantasy anymore. I'm a little amazed that this game sold less than FFX-2 I mean, I love X-2 but XIII-2 has got to be better than that, right?

 

[Steve-O]

Tbh this is kinda expected, the world is in ressetion right now and people all around the world don't have that kind of money to spend on games right now, these kind of sale numbers are normal right now, final fantasy type 0 and dissidia duodecim got about he same number of sales in the same time frame soo i'm ok with it

The responce in the west has been better from what i seen, i knw a few people including myself who wasn't gonna preorder but ended up preordering the game anyway let jst hope that the sales get better as the games come out in the us and eu

I been reading on the news all day about people saying that the xbox sales for this game are soo bad, well for ths japan hates xbox 360, mcrosoft stopped making xboxes in japan earier ths year oo ths was expected really with the box because well, japan hates microsoft

 

[Ohri-Jin]

Nocturne
http://www.vg247.com:80/2010/07/15/...-fans-not-very-happy-with-ffxiii/#more-107573

Some fans is an understatement. The only reason it sold so well was because of the brand and expectations. Wada acknowledge that FF13 has disappointed a lot of fans. Then a lot of content of FF13 got cut off. So much content it could be another game. Voila the sequel is born. Or did people like FF13 so much they want a sequel ?

Which fans wanted a sequel so much? Japanese fans? Well obviously not tht much cause statistics say otherwise.

Noblesse Oblige

You could be right as those that wanted a sequel so much could be from the western fanbase.
A sequel of FF13 rather than Versus. A title that got development over a year.
If the japanese thinks it's shit we'll know it's shit.
I might be all wrong though

You guys think it will skyrocket in the West? We'll see. Overall I see a huge decline in sales & thats a bad thing even if it's just Japan sales.

 

[Nocturne]

SE only said FFXIII is a disappointment because of the skewed vision that they need to be westernized. Almost every major website that reviews games gave it a score of over an 8. Many fans enjoyed the game. You here the bitching of the petty fans and thats about it. Some fans? Sorry but even a few thousands complaining compared to the millions that bought the game dont convince me.

It sold MILLIONS, therefore it was successful. And the thing with FFXIII-2, it doesnt need to sell as much to profit. It hasnt been made from the ground up and DLC is being sold for the game.

I hate when people say Japan needs to get on board with the western ideals. It really freaking doesnt. You know why Japan is behind? Because they didnt embrace HD. This has made it insanely difficult for them to make games in a timely manner. This not only lets excitement for games wane over time, but it also costs more since the development for a game drags on.

If you think about it, most games dont even sell 500,000 copies. You have these few series such as Call of Duty, Assassins Creed, The Oblivion/Fallout (essentially the same games in a different setting), and Halo series that sell ridiculously.

Any western game that takes a risk sells awful. Outside of those the other big games are Gears of War, Uncharted, and a resurgence in fighting games caused Street Fighter to sell well.

Most of these ALSO sell on name alone. Call of Duty definitely just sells on name alone and is a stagnant brand, Assassins Creed is getting flak for coming out in too soon of intervals and the quality is declining, yet it still sells millions due to name. Halo has utterly not evolved at all and is basically the same game as the first yet it sells on name alone.

These games, while may be fun in some cases, have become games to make money and that's all.

Id much rather play a FF game that takes risks and changes things up and focuses on story and character development while providing dozens of hours of gameplay than play a game that never changes and is a complete cash in.

The truth is many western games dont sell well, just like alot of japanese games arent selling well. Actually it isnt that they dont sell well but its a combination of games costing a TON to make anymore and unrealistic expectations that all games need to sell over 10 million to be considered good. Also take into consideration the fanbases are definitely segmented now. The PS2 sold around 150 million. The PS3 and 360 barely add up to a little over 100 million. Some fans dont have the money for both or have even moved up to the PS3 or 360 yet. Also, alot of those people who played the FF series have gotten older, started careers and families and dont game as much. Which leads younger fans to buy the games. The combination of younger fans who like to pirate games in combination with the older "fans" bashing all the FF games to hell dont give new fans a good impression and turn gamers away from the franchise.

In the PS2 era, lots of games sold maybe 200,000 copies but made them money. That isnt the case anymore since it takes so much money to make games in HD. Which is why we see smaller games as a repercussion. It's like looking at the DS and PSP. Games cost WAY less for those handhelds to make and if the game sells less, than it can still make a huge profit.

It really has very little to do with Western or Eastern influences. The problem is, even the game companies themselves are blaming it on that. If they would focus on getting their game creating abilities up to speed and in line with the western world, then I agree with that. The 360 is more like a PC and the west has much more experience with PC development hence why it is easier for they to make games at a quicker pace with more impressive tech in said games.

Tastes in eastern/western ideas didnt change in 3 years from the PS2 to current consoles, but expectations of graphics and flexibility in gameplay has.

Awesome games such as Eternal Sonata, Valkyria Chronicles, etc came out and the same amount of people bought them that more than likely would have a generation ago, but that didnt cut it cost wise. selling 200,000 copies on the game budgets today doesnt make enough as it did 8 years ago.

The whole Japan needs to jump on the western bandwagon is BS. Many factors such as ones I just mentioned along with the aging population are what is hurting Japan so much, not coming up with the next call of duty.

 

[Noblesse Oblige]

Now, I agree with Nocturne here...you also have to consider that Western (and I mean America mainly) games don't sell well internationally.

What I'm saying is...for Japan to succeed, it should not emulate Western ideas...it must be innovative, as is the case with any business. Innovation is key to dominating in any market.

Economy 101 people!!! learn it, study it, marry and have kids with it.

 

[Ohri-Jin]

Hahaha you guys are missing the point. Ofcourse they shouldnt focus too much on the West. They should stay original but innovative. I think they made that mistake with FFXIII in the first place. But thats not the point.

Also all those big populair games in the West isnt the point either.

Its that chart that Fleur posted!!

Overall decrease of sales compared to older FF titles.

 

[Gingerbread Lesbian]

SE only said FFXIII is a disappointment because of the skewed vision that they need to be westernized.

Final Fantasy XIII was a disappointment because it was utter shite. Poor story, poor characters, poor battle system, poor everything else. Poor game.

Almost every major website that reviews games gave it a score of over an 8.

You'll find most of them ended up re-reviewing because sites like IGN slated it to begin with and then upped the rating later on for whatever stupid reason they decided to do.

Many fans enjoyed the game. You here the bitching of the petty fans and thats about it. Some fans? Sorry but even a few thousands complaining compared to the millions that bought the game dont convince me.

Oh because people didn't like the game including myself, we're petty now? The Japanese audience SLATED Final Fantasy XIII, the first week it was released in Japan it was completely and utterly ripped apart. Final Fantasy XIII-2 now has shocking sales, go figure, and they're meant to be the 'hardcore' Final Fantasy audience.

It sold MILLIONS, therefore it was successful. And the thing with FFXIII-2, it doesnt need to sell as much to profit. It hasnt been made from the ground up and DLC is being sold for the game.

It was successful from a sales point of view NOT as a game. Even then Final Fantasy XIII has sold worse than every Final Fantasy titles since at least VII in Japan and only sold around 3 million copies in the west given it was multiplatform. So it probably wasn't that successful.

I hate when people say Japan needs to get on board with the western ideals. It really freaking doesnt. You know why Japan is behind? Because they didnt embrace HD. This has made it insanely difficult for them to make games in a timely manner. This not only lets excitement for games wane over time, but it also costs more since the development for a game drags on.

Bullshit. Japan is behind because their market is dying. Graphics have nothing to do with drop in sales figures in Japan or in the west, top companies are churning out AAA games every year or two maximum. Square-Enix is not. Japan needs to realise that few people in the west want JRPGs anymore, even Wada has admitted Japan need to be open to western ideas.

If you think about it, most games dont even sell 500,000 copies. You have these few series such as Call of Duty, Assassins Creed, The Oblivion/Fallout (essentially the same games in a different setting), and Halo series that sell ridiculously.

Games normally last a week or two in the Japanese sales chart then they disappear. A lot of games in the west chart for at least a month. Consistency is the key. Final Fantasy XIII was not consistent, Final Fantasy XIII-2 hasn't even managed to peak. Poor.

Any western game that takes a risk sells awful. Outside of those the other big games are Gears of War, Uncharted, and a resurgence in fighting games caused Street Fighter to sell well.

I'd like you to refer to a well known game like Final Fantasy that also took a 'risk' and flopped.

Most of these ALSO sell on name alone. Call of Duty definitely just sells on name alone and is a stagnant brand, Assassins Creed is getting flak for coming out in too soon of intervals and the quality is declining, yet it still sells millions due to name. Halo has utterly not evolved at all and is basically the same game as the first yet it sells on name alone.

Final Fantasy sells on name alone. Halo and Call of Duty are more or less the same but it sells well because it's what people want. Assassin's Creed isn't released any more than any other game nor is the quality declining, it has improved game on game so I don't know where you've got that idea from. Final Fantasy sales are dropping because it's obvious it is not what people want.

These games, while may be fun in some cases, have become games to make money and that's all.

Which is the case for ALL game developers.

Id much rather play a FF game that takes risks and changes things up and focuses on story and character development while providing dozens of hours of gameplay than play a game that never changes and is a complete cash in.

I can't remember the last Final Fantasy that took a 'risk'. Final Fantasy XIII tried to change the battle system which was TRIED and TESTED by an external audience and their opinions were IGNORED. It's Square-Enix's own fault it flopped.

The truth is many western games dont sell well, just like alot of japanese games arent selling well. Actually it isnt that they dont sell well but its a combination of games costing a TON to make anymore and unrealistic expectations that all games need to sell over 10 million to be considered good. Also take into consideration the fanbases are definitely segmented now. The PS2 sold around 150 million. The PS3 and 360 barely add up to a little over 100 million. Some fans dont have the money for both or have even moved up to the PS3 or 360 yet. Also, alot of those people who played the FF series have gotten older, started careers and families and dont game as much. Which leads younger fans to buy the games. The combination of younger fans who like to pirate games in combination with the older "fans" bashing all the FF games to hell dont give new fans a good impression and turn gamers away from the franchise.

No. All top western franchises sell well, Final Fantasy XIII-2 is meant to be part of a 'top' franchise in Japan and did not sell well. Nor do people expect games to sell over '10 million' to be considered good. Uncharted 1, 2 and 3 are nowhere near 10 million sales and they're universally considered an AAA franchise. Nine times out of ten if the game is AAA it will sell well. Also, pirating is a lot easier on the PS2 then it is on the current gen of consoles so that argument doesn't stand well, nor does the 'generation' argument. Like I've stated, it's obviously not what fans want.

In the PS2 era, lots of games sold maybe 200,000 copies but made them money. That isnt the case anymore since it takes so much money to make games in HD. Which is why we see smaller games as a repercussion. It's like looking at the DS and PSP. Games cost WAY less for those handhelds to make and if the game sells less, than it can still make a huge profit.

Final Fantasy X sold 1.8 million in the early years of the PS2 life. Final Fantasy XIII-2 sold 500k after nearly 4 years. Smaller games don't affect sales either.

It really has very little to do with Western or Eastern influences. The problem is, even the game companies themselves are blaming it on that. If they would focus on getting their game creating abilities up to speed and in line with the western world, then I agree with that. The 360 is more like a PC and the west has much more experience with PC development hence why it is easier for they to make games at a quicker pace with more impressive tech in said games.

No, it does. Companies would know what they need to do to sell, they spend millions on market research. If they say they need western influence to sell, then it probably does.

Tastes in eastern/western ideas didnt change in 3 years from the PS2 to current consoles, but expectations of graphics and flexibility in gameplay has.

This pretty much counters your own argument that people want games like COD. People either want flexibility or they don't. COD is not. People just don't want tripe like Final Fantasy XIII.

The whole Japan needs to jump on the western bandwagon is BS. Many factors such as ones I just mentioned along with the aging population are what is hurting Japan so much, not coming up with the next call of duty.

Again, wrong. Japan DOES need to come up with the next Call of Duty, when Modern Warfare was released it raised the bar massively. The formula that Activision are using is successful. There's no need to constantly change it.

 

[Ohri-Jin]

A Closer Look At Final Fantasy XIII-2′s Performance In Japan

By Ishaan . December 22, 2011 . 9:00am

Yesterday, we discovered that Final Fantasy XIII-2 sold 524,217 copies on the PlayStation 3​ in its first week. That’s about one-third of the original game’s launch sales, which is a cause for concern.

Sales tracker, Media-Create, confirms this, reporting that Final Fantasy XIII-2 on the PlayStation 3 only sold 62.06% of the stock that Square Enix​ sent out. Doing the math, that tells us Square shipped about 845,000 copies of the game.

Meanwhile, the Xbox 360 version launched at the #48 spot on the sales chart, and sold 10,000 copies, out of the 33,000 (approx.) that Square sent out.

Media-Create provide their own analysis of why they feel Final Fantasy XIII-2’s sales were so low in comparison to the original Final Fantasy XIII​. They believe one of the reasons is due to falling interest among women. Female interest dropped from 31.3% (FFXIII) to 22.2% (XIII-2).

Read more stories about Final Fantasy XIII & Final Fantasy XIII-2 & PlayStation 3 & This Week In Sales & Xbox 360 on Siliconera.

 

[tilinelson2]

From my ignorance on the whole Japanese game scene, I'd like to see FFXIII-2 sales compared with other high-profile similar games released in Japan recently, for it would give a more accurate view of the matter. Then we could conclude whether it is a FF problem or a general Japanese gaming problem.

 

[Ohri-Jin]

This is the Japanese Charts for this week -> http://www.vgchartz.com/charts/weekly.php?reg=Japan&date=&console=&maker=

It shows FFXIII-2 is number one.

This is a week earlier -> http://www.vgchartz.com/weekly/40888/Japan/

This is from 11th September -> http://www.vgchartz.com/weekly/40797/Japan/

Judging by these charts it seems FFXIII-2 did pretty well for Japan's standards.
It seems Japanese ppl are way too occupied with iPhones etc.

Type-0 Sold the same amount in one week.

So basically it is a general Japanese gaming problem indeed.

I still think the game is shit though...