Sega
In a recent response to questions via Twitter, Spencer hinted that Microsoft’s E3 showcase this year could show more support from Japanese developers. More recently, he stated JRPGs would also feature at the conference, too. Despite the fact that this hasn’t always panned out in the past – the unfortunate fate of Scalebound from Platinum Games, for example – the prospect of third-party support from major Japanese developers is an exciting one and could give the Xbox One’s library the shot in the arm it needs.
Sega has among the most envy worthy vault of IPs under their control, including lucrative series such as Yakuza and Valkyrie Chronicles. While it would certainly be cool to see ports of these franchises brought to the Xbox One, it would be even better to see some new Xbox exclusive titles by the storied company. This could be accomplish either by sticking to Microsoft’s comfort zone of shooters or branching into genres not seen as often on the console.
Plus, with the Xbox One X’s power allowing for faster and sharper games, the company could deliver titles that offer cutting edge speed and fidelity; a call back to their roots from earlier generations. Titles like the upcoming Fist of the North Star would look all the better, and based on their work with the Yakuza series’ Dragon Engine, they would be more than capable of developing titles up to snuff with the Xbox One X’s hardware.
Interestingly, Spencer also recently suggested that he’d love to see Sega games on the platform in a recent tweet, JRPG or otherwise. We’re salivating at the possibilities!
Capcom
With the success of Resident Evil VII early last year and the recent runaway hit that is Monster Hunter World, Capcom is probably feeling pretty good about themselves right now, and would likely be a target of Microsoft’s affection.
Whether through a console exclusive title or some timed exclusivity on content for multiplatform releases, there is a multitude of avenues for success that a partnership could bring. And that’s just focusing on new content; either in the form of remasters or classic ports, there are a variety of older games that could entice players to jump back on the Xbox bandwagon. Plus, with the company’s past exclusivity deals with Sony for titles like Street Fighter V, there’s plenty of proof that they’d be on board for some exclusivity deals on Xbox One, if the price was right. Microsoft, to their credit, has money, it just needs to figure out how to spend it better.
FromSoftware
If the recent revival of online play in the PlayStation 4 exclusive Bloodborne is any indication, titles made by From Software have worldwide appeal. With that in mind, they’re another great studio for Microsoft to establish a good relationship with for future titles. While there have been multiplatform releases for Dark Souls II and III on the Xbox One, a console exclusive title delving into a new universe would make for a sure-fire hit and draw in some of their most loyal fans in the process.
That all being said, with FromSoftware’s close ties with Sony’s Japan Studio working on Bloodborne, whether the developer would effectively jump-ship to Microsoft is up for debate. However, with Microsoft’s history as a multiplayer friendly console provider, it could make for an ideal place to test a new and improved multiplayer system, souls-like or otherwise, and revitalize the publisher’s online community past shooter fans. Plus, the partnership would surely help move Xbox One units over in Japan, which is a region the company has struggled to make an impression on for years now.
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Atlus
Best known for the Shin Megami Tensei series, Atlus is a household name among diehard JRPG the world over. Offering some of the best titles Japan has to offer to Western audiences, they’ve risen to prominence in recent years with the continued success of the Shin Megami Tensei Persona series, with Persona 5 receiving hefty praise last year for its design and characters.
Though it typically teams up with Sony or Nintendo, an exclusive title or even ports of older games from them appearing on Microsoft’s console would be a major win not only for the publisher but for fans as well. Altus’ games are always a refreshing change of pace, and amid the shooters and action games currently available on Xbox One, a title from them would stand out all the more. Plus, with people now open to trying their JRPGs thanks to Persona 5 and the continually increasing length of games, it would be an ideal time for Microsoft to take advantage of the trend by enlisting one of the genre’s foremost developers, perhaps even nabbing one of the company’s older titles like Catherine or Devil Summoner for a new, exclusive entry.
Square Enix
The cream of the crop in terms of Japanese developers, Square Enix could serve as Microsoft’s ace in the hole with the right partnership. Coming off of the widespread popularity of both Final Fantasy XV and Nier: Automata, the Xbox One could play host to a new franchise from the developer as well as offer exclusive content for their upcoming titles. In addition, of the potential partnerships they could build, this one stands as one of the most realistic considering both the timed exclusivity of Rise of the Tomb Raider in 2015 and the upset they pulled with their securing Final Fantasy XIII for Xbox 360 last generation.
Currently holding the console touted as the most powerful of the generation, Microsoft could also easily convince Square Enix to create a title for them on the grounds that it can showcase the best that their games can be. The vast, life-like world on display in the PC port of Final Fantasy XV, as well as the colorful and imaginative vistas of the Upcoming Kingdom Hearts 3, could become the new graphical standard for titles released on the Xbox One. So long as it can be delivered in a more timely fashion than XV was, it could draw in fans both in the West and in the East.
Got a studio in mind that Microsoft should form a partnership with? Leave a comment in the section below, and be sure to check out our reviews of games from the studios mentioned above like Monster Hunter World and Final Fantasy XV. Also, check out our recent opinion piece on why Microsoft needs support from Japanese Developers now more than ever.
Published: May 7, 2018 10:45 am