Microsoft bypassed the Tokyo Game Show last year but will be returning for the 2013 show which begins this Thursday, September 19th, and the company's Phil Spencer has explained why they're headed back to what he describes as a "soulful place" for games.
Speaking in Larry 'Major Nelson' Hryb's latest podcast he said:
"People ask why are we going to TGS. Obviously, Japan we've announced isn't one of our launch territories. When I think about Japan and the history in video games, whether it's just games that I grew up playing or even looking today games that are so important to our industry.
"I think going to Tokyo, going to TGS, meeting with the developers there, seeing what the gamers are playing, seeing what the creators are making, I think it's just a very kind of soulful place for video games and something that's important for us to always stay in touch with.
"And going to TGS and seeing the excitement for new things and old things and the rebirth of things is just great."
He added that Microsoft wants to meet with Japanese developers at TGS in the hopes of introducing them to the independent developer program for Xbox One, named ID @ Xbox.
"I think it's going to be really good to connect with the developers there; have great conversations about what could happen," Spencer said.
Xbox has traditionally struggled to gain traction in Japan and Yasuyuki Higuchi, CEO and president of Microsoft Japan, has admitted that the Xbox One "is geared towards a Western lifestyle, and we're looking at whether or not to launch it 'as is' in Japan. We're still figuring out how to deal with things like music and video services in each country. To be honest, [releasing Xbox One in Japan] as is would be difficult."
Microsoft will be launching the Xbox One in Japan during 2014 as a "tier two" country. The PS4 is set to be released in the region in February, 2014.
