Microsoft is teaming up with popular VTubers to showcase Xbox Game Pass in Japan

Microsoft's Xbox hasn't ever had an piece of cake fourth dimension in Japan. The historically Xbox-sceptical marketplace is increasingly important for Microsoft, as popularity in Japanese games resurges. Contempo Nintendo Switch exclusive Monster Hunter Rise has already shipped 4 million copies, behind only Monster Hunter World, which shipped on both Xbox and PlayStation simultaneously.

Microsoft has seen some breakthroughs with franchises that have historically avoided Xbox in the past, with games like Yakuza and Dragon Quest finally hit the platform final year. Problems still remain, withal, with series like Persona and Shin Megami Tensei still avoiding Xbox, and Foursquare-Enix and Sony partnering up to lock Concluding Fantasy to PlayStation platforms.

Clearly, Microsoft knows it has to flip its fortunes in Nippon, and has been making moves to annunciate Xbox Game Laissez passer to gaming audiences in the region.

Yesterday, I noticed a wave of Xbox Game Pass-sponsored streams striking Japanese Vtuber channels, kicking off with Luna and Botan. Together, both streamers savor an audience of over i one thousand thousand subscribers.

Vtubers use apps like FaceRig on Steam to portray themselves as anime-style characters. The format is becoming increasingly popular beyond YouTube, Twitch, and other streaming platformers, as content creators have increasingly artistic measures to stand out in a busy crowd.

The partnerships seem to indicate a renewed interest in Japan from Microsoft, which recently caused its outset Japanese studio with the big Bethesda acquisition, in the form of Tango Gameworks. Tango is responsible for the incredible (and underrated) Evil Within franchise, created past Shinji Mikami of Resident Evil and God Paw fame.

Xbox Game Pass has proven itself to be a great vehicle for enticing Japanese franchises like Yakuza and Dragon Quest to the platform. Sega went as far every bit to bring every single Yakuza entry to Game Pass as a result. Whether or not Xbox Game Pass can be the vehicle that finally helps Xbox suspension into Japan remains to be seen, but these partnerships seem to advise that information technology won't be from lack of trying.

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