Living in Japan isn't all about games. Just mostly 
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.Real Gamers in Japan - Part 7
Posted 12-18-2008 at 06:14 AM by Chris_D
Updated 12-18-2008 at 07:58 PM by Chris_D (Factual error corrected by Variable Gear.)
Updated 12-18-2008 at 07:58 PM by Chris_D (Factual error corrected by Variable Gear.)
This series aims to provide a tiny bit of insight into the mind and habits of Japanese gamers. Although I'm sure most will be pretty dry, I hope to occasionally surprise some of you 
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In part seven I'm talking with Koji, a mild mannered computer programmer around 30 years of age.
Me: So what else did you get up to on the weekend?
Koji: I played video games with my old friend from college.
Me: Sounds fun! What did you guys play?
Koji: We played Monster Hunter on the PSP for 4 hours.
Me: That's 2G right?
Koji: That's right.
Me: I think you were talking about Monster Hunter last time. Do you play regularly?
Koji: Yeah, my friend and I try to get together every weekend for a session.
Me: Wow, you sound maybe a little addicted.
Koji: Heh, yeah we love that game.
Me: What do you guys love about it?
Koji: Well... the game never actually ends. And there are so many different monsters. Also, there are tons of different items, weapons, and armors to collect.
Me: Reminds me of Pokemon!
My Thoughts
The sales numbers of Capcom's Monster Hunter series speak for themselves. These games have almost single-handedly propped up PSP sales in Japan to a respectable level. There have been a few times when I've seen groups of boys on the train, around 11-14 years old, playing wireless Monster Hunter together on their PSPs. Quite the phenomenon, among the males at least.
It will be interesting to see how successful the new Monster Hunter is on the Wii, which is the first time this series will appear on a non-portable platform*. It could prove to be yet another feather in Nintendo's overladen cap.
Japan: PSP Sales Surging Over DS in April
*Correction: Thanks Variable Gear for the correction. There were actually two earlier iterations on the PS2 meaning the Wii version will be the second home console that the series will appear on! I guess it shows how much I unconsciously tie the series to the PSP platform.
Note: Although written in an interview style, the above is actually an extract of a conversation I had, either translated from Japanese, or modified from the original English to read more naturally. Names are changed to protect the identity of those concerned.
.In part seven I'm talking with Koji, a mild mannered computer programmer around 30 years of age.
Me: So what else did you get up to on the weekend?
Koji: I played video games with my old friend from college.
Me: Sounds fun! What did you guys play?
Koji: We played Monster Hunter on the PSP for 4 hours.
Me: That's 2G right?
Koji: That's right.
Me: I think you were talking about Monster Hunter last time. Do you play regularly?
Koji: Yeah, my friend and I try to get together every weekend for a session.
Me: Wow, you sound maybe a little addicted.
Koji: Heh, yeah we love that game.
Me: What do you guys love about it?
Koji: Well... the game never actually ends. And there are so many different monsters. Also, there are tons of different items, weapons, and armors to collect.
Me: Reminds me of Pokemon!
My Thoughts
The sales numbers of Capcom's Monster Hunter series speak for themselves. These games have almost single-handedly propped up PSP sales in Japan to a respectable level. There have been a few times when I've seen groups of boys on the train, around 11-14 years old, playing wireless Monster Hunter together on their PSPs. Quite the phenomenon, among the males at least
.It will be interesting to see how successful the new Monster Hunter is on the Wii, which is the first time this series will appear on a non-portable platform*. It could prove to be yet another feather in Nintendo's overladen cap.
Japan: PSP Sales Surging Over DS in April
*Correction: Thanks Variable Gear for the correction. There were actually two earlier iterations on the PS2 meaning the Wii version will be the second home console that the series will appear on! I guess it shows how much I unconsciously tie the series to the PSP platform.
Note: Although written in an interview style, the above is actually an extract of a conversation I had, either translated from Japanese, or modified from the original English to read more naturally. Names are changed to protect the identity of those concerned
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Total Comments 7
Comments
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Have you talked to anyone who's mentioned playing games online, or is it always single player / local multiplayer? I figure Monster Hunter is probably one of the titles that actually does get some online (WiFi) play in Japan.
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Posted 12-18-2008 at 12:56 PM by Wraith
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Actually, I was pretty sure that even Monster Hunter 2G still doesn't have built-in WiFi support (just local). I checked on Wiki and this is all I could find:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monster...Portable_2nd_G Quote:
Originally Posted by Wiki
On November 6, 2008, the beta version of a new online service allowing voice chat through the PlayStation Network (and a LAN connected wi-fi capable PlayStation 3) was released on the Japanese PlayStation Store. Adhoc Party for PlayStation Portable beta version is only compatible with Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G.
But interesting you should ask, nope, not once have I spoken to anyone (other than foreigners) who plays online, even on PC. Of course, they're out there, I just haven't run into them yet. Still, it probably gives some idea to the big difference in the percentage of players who go in online in Japan compared to the US. |
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Posted 12-18-2008 at 03:16 PM by Chris_D
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Hmm. For some reason, I was thinking Monster Hunter supported WiFi play.
Anyway, I knew that Japanese gamers generally had less interest in online play, or at least that's the stereotype. Though I've played with Japanese gamers in PSO and FFXI, so I know there are some out there! |
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Posted 12-18-2008 at 04:42 PM by Wraith
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Aren't all Japanese mild mannered?
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Posted 12-18-2008 at 05:34 PM by Xerxes
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Chris, the series started out on consoles.
Anyway, I wish the US environment was better for local multiplayer in handheld games. To take advantage of any of these modes, you have to plan it beforehand. It sounds like the Japanese gamer can easily take advantage of pick up groups while on the train or whatever. |
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Posted 12-18-2008 at 07:38 PM by Variable Gear
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Thanks Variable Gear for the correction. I don't know so much about pick up groups though. I'd say you'd be lucky to find someone playing the same game on your carriage, and the Japanese are mostly against playing with strangers over the internet or probably more so in a Wifi situation. What I usually see is a group of 4 school boys together on the train, or just sitting on the street, playing Monster Hunter. So I'd say these guys are already friends and probably play together regularly. I've also seen pairs of men playing together a few times (Monster Hunter that is!).
Xerxes, as for mild mannered, well, not all Japanese, but you're kind of right. Still, there's mild mannered, and then there's Koji! |
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Posted 12-18-2008 at 09:07 PM by Chris_D
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That makes sense. I guess I'd feel the same way, but I was hoping that Japanese gamers would be more open to local pick up groups. In that case, it'd be better if more PSP and DS games had online functionality.
And, don't worry about your original post. I had only heard of the series in passing before the PSP games, and had to consult an online source to confirm that there were previous console iterations of Monster Hunter. Stupid question: Do Japanese people shorten the name to Mon Hon sometimes? I've heard that before... |
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Posted 12-19-2008 at 02:19 AM by Variable Gear
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