Japanese gaming industry sales decreased in 2008

According to research conducted by Famitsu publisher Enterbrain, the Japanese gaming industry's year-to-year sales dropped in 2008. Total industry revenue reached ¥552.42 billion last year -- an 18 percent decrease from ¥676.95 billion in sales during 2007. Hardware sales dropped 27 percent from the previous year to ¥231.52 billion, while software sales only fell 11 percent, ending up at ¥320.91 billion.

Flamewar-fueling financial figures were also revealed in Enterbrain's study -- the DS reigned supreme in 2008, with 3,983,205 units sold. In addition, Pokémon Platinum was the year's highest grossing game, with 2,372,336 copies purchased. Second place went to the PSP with 3,230,563 units sold. Trailing behind, the Wii moved 2,257,575 consoles, the PS3 sold 999,903 units, and the Xbox 360 ended with a total of 398,633 consoles sold -- effectively doubling Microsoft's Japanese hardware sales figures from 2007.

What's with the slowdown, Japan? Did you guys collectively take up knitting or something? Don't get us wrong, knitting is awesome, but letting it interfere with your ludological purchasing habits is just plain irresponsible.

[Via Kotaku]

Reader Comments (22)

Odd that sales are down as an aggregate, i figured the surge in handhelds made up for the decline in consoles. Though mobile phones or something similar might be beating them all.

My theory: Aging population.

Japan has virtually non-existent immigration, and an extreme lack of young people... birth rates dropped sharply over the years, and thats where most of the money comes from. While nations like Canada and United States are similarly facing aging population and low birth rates, we have steady immigration to keep our numbers up.

Japan also holds the world's record for highest life expectancy. 80 years.

Nah, the real reason probably isn't as complicated. It was probably just because the Japanese market bought less Nintendo Wii/DS hardware and software compared to 2007.

I'd be really curious how much money saved the average Japanese person has. The problem with their economy since the 80's is they don't like spending money.

Aging might have something to do with it, but I wonder if the hardcore gamers in Japan have a hard time getting enough money for jobs compared to in the West. Maybe when you become a gaming hikikomori there, you're more outcast than elsewhere.

Finally, their society is going through crazy changes due to their businesses starting to follow a more Western model (good timing guys, becoming more like the West, right when our business model fails!)

I get a feeling that Japanese have less and less free time. I think this might be a big factor, and also why handhelds are the only big market there.

I guess this is just part of the transition from Japan as the center of the gaming world, to Europe and America.

Nothing to get too upset about...things just change.

they're watching to much hentai.

There must have been a decrease in Monster Hunter/Gundam releases then

I have to disagree. While there are plenty of shooters from Western developers, there is a clear level of quality being exhibited amongst them (Halo, Call of Duty, Gears of War, Resident Evil) that excuses the less impressive titles that appear. There are also PLENTY of great, non-shooter games being released by Western developers.

Several Japanese developers, on the other hand, have admitted that they have fallen behind in creativity and need to learn from us.

If the new consoles had more good games I'm sure this wouldn't be an issue. Japanese games have been especially disappointing in the last few years. It's one generic RPG after the other.

If the new consoles had more good games I'm sure this wouldn't be an issue.
Western games have been especially disappointing in the last few years. It's one generic First-Person Shooter after the other.

If the new consoles had more good games I'm sure this wouldn't be an issue.
Western games have been especially disappointing in the last few years. It's one generic Open World/Sand Box after the other.

If the new consoles had more good games I'm sure this wouldn't be an issue.
Western games have been especially disappointing in the last few years. It's one generic Sports and Racing game after the other.

*It's one generic Open World/Sand Box game after the other.

Sony still doing good so that's nice to read.

Blame R4 for software drops. Everyone has a ds/dsi/psp already.

I'm pretty sure rental rates increased as well. Before I only rented games I wasn't sure about but now I stopped buying whatsoever. Paying $60 for a game (especially if it has no multiplayer) just doesnt make sense anymore.

I think I replied to the wrong article.
Oh, well . . my comment still makes sense.

If Japan falls then I exit gaming. Western Developers do not cater to my pallette, and I don't see them picking up the slack anytime soon. This is terrible news.

OH NO!
What will we do without aging turn-based rpg games with androgynous characters. Oh woe is me!

That’s one side. The other is, of course, wonderfully fresh games such as TWEWY or incredible revisits like Space Invaders Extreme. It’s embarrassing that you’d suggest that Japan is purely ‘aging turn-based rpg games.’ Shame on you. And what’s wrong with androgyny? Go to any decent club and you’d find that that’s been the look for long minute now. People have fun when they dress up, and some find joy in androgyny. Who are you to mock? Or are you one of those bitter hikikomori who watch the dancers but never join in?

He totally is one of those bitter hikikomori. GOT HIM.

This is not very clear .. i mean, I'm not an economist, but if I purchase a .. let's say a PS3 ... in 2007 I won't buy another one in 2008 ..

gameham.com had a hilarious piece on surviving the recession, which involved playing "air guitar hero", good stuff though

Japanese gaming industry sales decreased in 2008

Reader Comments (22)

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