As you're probably aware, this year's online-only Tokyo Game Show is currently underway in Japan. Xbox kicked things off with its very own event, and to begin, head of Xbox Phil Spencer delivered a message praising the Japanese game industry.
Alongside series like Final Fantasy, Resident Evil and Persona, he also acknowledged the Nintendo Switch release Animal Crossing: New Horizons as one of the greats. Here's exactly he had to say:
"Japan is a creative superpower in this industry with iconic characters and games that are highlights in the gaming histories of hundreds of millions of players across the globe. Yakuza, Metal Gear, Biohazard, Persona, Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, and even more recently the phenomenon of Animal Crossing."
"Japan and its creators have shaped so much of the magic we expect when it's time to play a game. The culture and community that has had a profound influence on gaming across the world, on all screens, on Xbox fans and on our team."
This isn't the first time Phil has praised Animal Crossing on the Switch before. He first did it back in August on Gary Whitta's Animal Talking show while mentioning how Nintendo was a jewel of the video game industry with the strongest first-party pedigree out there.
Earlier this week, Microsoft bought ZeniMax Media (the parent company of Bethesda) for $7.5 billion. A few days later Xbox shut down rumours about other acquisitions being announced at this year's Tokyo Game Show.
What do you think of the titles Phil highlighted? Do you agree Animal Crossing is one of the most iconic Japanese video game series of all-time? Are there any others you would have noted? Tell us down below.
[source youtu.be]
Comments 64
And then Microsoft should make their cute 1st party games like Animal Crossing for Xbox machines.
Do more, talk less.
Interesting timing to mention Final Fantasy shortly after XVI was announced Playstation console exclusive.
That's what having talent and being creative gets you.
I've been liking some of the moves MS has made going into next gen, but I hope they don't think buying up anyone that wants the money will make them suddenly be better than they were before.
Microsoft has a lot to prove.
It's games that sell hardware, not hardware that sells games. I love the Switch, but if it didn't have the library it has, it just wouldn't be worth it.
I have more games on Switch than any other platform I have owned in 20+ years.
I was thinking... How much would be Nintendo for Microsoft? I know it's nuts but I want to know if there is a number to represent it
Microsoft seems to play nice with others, it is usually Sony that seems to be against praising/working with others. Microsoft seems to allow a number of their games to go multi-platform, and they are good about things like cross-play. Sony on the other hand has been very closed off.
Bring Sea Of Thieves to Switch. Please and thank you!
@Heavyarms55 Absolutely true. Nintendo's failed consoles like the N64 have had great games, maybe even timeless games, sure, but they also had little to no third party support and very long first party software droughts.
The Switch has a game worth getting come out every couple months with a lot of anticipated games still to come. It is flying.
I don’t understand AC, but yeah I can agree with Metal Gear, and Persona more recently.
Yakuza is awesome, but it still seems pretty niche.
@JayJ Nintendo is just as closed off though.
I’d love to see Nintendo put their games other places, like PC.
Cue the rumors its not just Sega, Microsoft is buying but Nintendo as well.
@Heavyarms55 You are right. But weirdly enough for me personally it is the exact opposite. I am not interested in playing non-handheld consoles or on a computer. So the Switch is my baby.
But it has the worst library of them all regarding my personal taste. I am not kidding when I say that I have exactly 5 games on my Switch that I actually really like.
@GrandScribe yeah i just wanted to write that xD omg he is talking about nintendo - nintendo is gonne be bought next announcing next, the microdon't switchbox
@Trajan Well they at least participate in cross-play, and have put their games on mobile platforms.
@JayJ I think that's X-Box's plan. Angry Joe talked about how X-Box is gaining ground by selling software they own to other consoles selectively. You can play their games on a toaster as long as you pay them for it. I wonder how it will work out in the end.
@Yanina I can't say I understand that mindset at all, but it's your life. Live it how you choose.
@Heavyarms55 Yeah I know I am an odd one. Especially on a gaming website I can't expect much sympathy in that case.
@DoktorTotenKopf are you german by any chance? All your comments are so crazy up my alley whenever I see them. Laser focused cynicism all the time. Love it.
"Animal Crossing is popular. We'll take it!" - Microsoft
@Ratking
But Viva Pinata failed to impress me.
I don't really like with their looking and gameplay.
I think Microsoft need to learn to make cute games that can attract Japanese players.
Who knew Phil was also moonlighting at Microsoft while working for Channel 4?
I wonder what Kirstie would say?
@GrandScribe wouldn’t botw look amazing on an Xbox Series X though? 4K. 120 FPS. **drools**
@RCGamer Nintendo’s market cap is $67 billion. So, probably not going to happen anytime soon.
@AgentGuapo
Microsoft is worth $1.5 trillion and has $130+ million of cash on hand. They "could" buy Nintendo, but Nintendo's leadership and shareholders (and the Japanses government) won't allow it to happen.
@Anti-Matter I would prefer that they make good games instead of cute games.
@Ulysses It's a timed exclusive, sono I guess it will arrive on Xbox in 2021-22
Phill is an amazing guy!
@JayJ Sony is just a old dinosaur still living in the past.
@Anti-Matter "Microsoft should make their cute 1st party games like Animal Crossing"
There's still quite a lot on XBox. It's a little different but they made X Enhanced upgrades to both Viva Piñata & Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise which are still great games and they look great remastered.
Sea of Thieves is very - "if Nintendo did Pirates" vibe.
Everwild also looks more in line with cutesy wholesome gameplay.
Furthermore Game Pass is filled with 3rd party platformers like all the Banjo games, Super Luckys Tale & Yooka-Laylee.
Phil is an old school gamer and a family man, of course he loves Nintendo. But to actually hear a head honchos of any organisation praise a competitor is always refreshing.
@Ratking Yeah I know. Didn’t get new horizons despite the hype. Played the GameCube and 3ds one and didn’t understand the appeal in a game about chores.
@JayJ to be fair though, those mobile games are trash. I would like to see at least the Xenoblade games on PC.
@themightyant
Not impressed by Viva Pinata games.
The character design and gameplay still not convincing me.
Not interested with Everwild , Banjo Kazoie too.
Lucky Tale, i mean New Super Lucky Tale already have Switch version (i have this game) and PS4 version so i will not even bothering the Xbox version.
And i don't like Game Pass.
I buy the game to be owned forever, not by renting. Not even interested by cheap price of Game Pass.
Phil Spencer might be the best head-of-xbox microsoft ever had
@Anti-Matter
Spencer is in Japan. Xbox not selling at all in the Japan. of course he praises japan. They still have to make a connections with both developers and the japanese public to start changing that ... wouldn't surprise me in their current shopping spree if they bought a japanese company soon (sega was rumoured, but why not squaresoft or someting)
@themightyant
Microsoft cute games still not enough to convince me.
From the character design, geometric shape, pattern, color schemes, etc.
Not enough to convince me.
Show me Chibi looking of ACNH and i will instantly interested.
Do you understand what i mean ?
Microsoft need to learn from Japanese company and make their cute games with different style, not too Western but still enough to convince Asian gamers.
"Is Animal Crossing an iconic game".
Absolutely. As this game crossed over to the general public, it shows how games can be more than what people expect. It shows to the public what gamers already know: that games can be works of art, comedy, drama, music, puzzles and thrills.
Is the game niche? Not for everyone? Sure. But, even that demonstrates the variety of the medium. Animal Crossing stands as an example of the creativity, beauty and intelligence of games
Easily the nicest guy in the gaming industry.
@Anti-Matter They can buy the "solo" team of Stardew Valley... i mean, how much it would cost ?!?!
And a new, bigger SW is much much appreciable.
@westman98 I mean. Yes. They could. But that purchase would be nearly 10 times the cost of Zenimax. Would be hard to get past executives, methinks.
Plot twist: Nintendo buys Microsoft
He pretty much saved Xbox.
@YoshiTails I think, looking at their wonderful relationship, is more probable a joining. MicroNintendo, Nintensoft... something. In this way they would literally dominate the world market.
The more recent phenomenon of Animal Crossing? What's he talking about? It's been a big deal every release (excluding the spinoffs).
I feel like the Xbox has the least amount of games I am interested in, and I feel like the only people who buy Xbox is kids who think there to cool for Nintendo. And then use there Xbox as a Minecraft/Fortnight machine, and play nothing else because there are no games good for kids. With Nintendo, there games are made for everyone, with Sony, They have games Like Fall Guys, but Xbox, I can't think of an Xbox exclusive that might be enjoyable for Kids. They also don't have any characters that look cute, and would promote there system. I guess they have EVERY Rare character, Like Banjo, but they still don't use that to promote the system. Banjo could be a character like Isabelle, they have such a promotable design. So yeah, I think Microsoft needs to learn a bit from Animal Crossing, and have more promotable designs to sell in Japan. I think that was my longest post, Nice! Sorry if that was a little rude if Microsoft was reading this. I'm using Microsoft Edge on Windows 10, so please be good to me
Well, I hope the 56 people in Japan that bought an XBOX last year appreciate the shout out!
recent phenomenon? Hasn't it been popular for time? ... also Give me BANJO KAZOOIE already Mr Spencer
@YoshiTails
If anything it would be the other way round. But certain Japanese laws prevents foreign entities from acquiring domestic businesses.
I guess that's why Disney can never get their corrupt greedy hands on them, thank god.
@Trajan Nintendo being closed off does no have any consequence on the industry as it's a very small company with its own market. Sony being closed off has negative consequences over the whole industry as Sony is a gigantic control freak megacorp who wants to have a grip on everything. The recent decline of the japanese industry is 100% Son's fault as they're holding in hostage many japanese videogames that don't sell on their hardware and limit their exposure. Nintendo don't buy high profile exclusives, only fund games that couldn't be done without them and let the games go elsewhere when they don't sell well on their hardware. Sony prefer watching the japanese industry dying than letting it do well elsewhere.
@stuffiwrote you know he shags Kirsty
@Anti-Matter I'm with you 100% I like owning my stuff too.
@Anti-Matter I think they could still do something with the Viva Piñata franchise.
@Trajan Some are on mobile Blizzcon 2018 comment imtensifies
@Anti-Matter I think Hasbro is a more fitting company for you.
@outsider83
I still have no interest with Viva Pinata no matter how many times i see this design.
It didn't look interesting for me.
From the the design, color pattern, geometric shape, gameplay, storyline, etc.
Yes, it was very colorful and cartoonish but the design just No for me.
If Microsoft dare themself to not be too cool to be Kawaii like Japanese developers, if they can hire artist that understand to capture Japanese audiences, i will buy that Microsoft games.
Btw, this is one example of collaboration between Western and Japanese style that i like instantly from EA when collaborate with Nintendo. It was My Sims
This is what i called cute, cartoonish and very fit with my taste from the design, geometric shape and color pattern.
My taste of cute things was very specific.
@RPGamer
Chills....
No need to be upset.
If Microsoft really dare to make their Animal Crossing games / Style Savvy games like Nintendo did, i will buy their games.
All Microsoft need is stop acting too cool to make cute games for girls and casual gamers.
@CorvoRevo
I have no interest with Stardew Valley.
I prefer playing Old Harvest Moon / Story of Seasons by Marvelous.
@AgentGuapo just think how more powerful hardware could really improve the partial affects, the water quality, the draw distance and the lighting and shadows. I really wish Nintendo would commit to producing decent hardware.
@RCGamer Interesting choice of words there:
"How much would be Nintendo for Microsoft? I know it's nuts"
There was a rumor going around the internet that MS once offered to buy Nintendo, and that then president Hiroshi Yamauchi replied saying, how can I word this, to lick a certain part of his anatomy that has a round shape and comes in a pair (usually).
I doubt this rumor is true, but to answer your question, perhaps the price is indeed "nuts".
@nab1 so I answered my question by myself 😅
I remembered the rumor that Microsoft might try to buy Nintendo that's exactly why I asked. But I didn't remember that rumor about the answer 🤣
@DoktorTotenKopf Auch. Freilich!
@Heavyarms55
That’s absolutely true, but the hardware needs to be compelling to warrant great software. Otherwise you get Star Fox Zero
@Trajan bayonetta 2 on pc would be nice tbh, given I already own the 1st one on steam
@Anti-Matter I see what you mean about what you like and don't like and that's cool. All power to you. For some reason I've never got on with the deformed Chibi look, it's always looked weird to me. But we're all different and I respect that x
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