Why White Knight is selling more PS3s than MGS4 in Japan
In the land of the rising sun, the Japanese have gone RPG crazy as the White Knight sells like hot cakes. Folks here in America are scratching their heads as to why this game is selling so well in comparison to other PS3 RPGs like the highly acclaimed Valkyria Chronicles. The truth is a bit more obvious than you may think.
The PS3 currently has a decent RPG lineup including such titles as Valkyria Chronicles, Disgaea 3, Eternal Sonata and Enchanted Arms. Even with titles like Valkyria Chronicles, which was one of the highest rated RPGs last year, it still did not move that many PS3s. However, for some odd reason White Knight is selling so well, its moving tons of PS3s.
According to Media Create via PS3Fanboy, the two weeks White Knight has been out, the game has managed to shift 107k PS3s. This is actually 11,000 higher than the period Metal Gear Solid 4 (MGS4) was out. Who would have “thunk” it?
We all know that MGS4 went on to sell over 4 million units, so does this mean that White Knight will have a similar fate? Probably not, but it may sell pretty close. I had a colleague do some sniffing around the Japanese forums to determine why White Knight is such a system seller. Unsurprisingly, the answer has to do with the popularity of MMOs in Japan.
White Knight is unique in that not only does it have a full length single player story, it also has a online mode which plays like a MMO. You can party up with four people to quest together in the world of White Knight all for free.
The other reason why the game is popular has something to do with a fascination with giant mechs. The US is no slouch for MMO love, so the million dollar question is – will this translate into stellar White Knight sales in the states? We will just have to wait a few more months to find out.
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28 Responses to “Why White Knight is selling more PS3s than MGS4 in Japan”
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January 14th, 2009
Well good for you Level 5 (thats the producers right?), you diserve good sales for standing by the ps3 in its hard times. Unlike the backstabbing Square Enix.
January 14th, 2009
Good comment to_me. But I don’t understand why people stay PS3 is sales poorly. If you look at Release/To Date sales figures you will find that PS3 sales are more after 2 years than 360 was, at an MUCH higher prise point. Nothing against the 360, its an great system well due for its success. But why all the groom and doom for Sony.
January 14th, 2009
rumors of a 360 price cut this yr how low can they go kinda like limbo!! lol but ps3 was shooting themselves in the foot b/c from launch it cost like $800+ to make selling at $600 so sales werent too bad juss that they were losing too much money is my guess…but with a few changes in production cost an ps2 bc should sell little better especially with a really hyped yr of exclusives to come to it….
January 14th, 2009
I’m happy to see White Knight selling so well. This is one of the games I am looking forward to most.
I know Sony has a few full fledged MMO’s in the works (The Agency & DC Online), but I’m disappointed that they are not in a fantasy or JRPG setting.
January 14th, 2009
Also on the topic of RPGs… I wish Square Enix would stop producing garbage games (Infinite Undiscovery & The Last Reminate) and just put all of there resources into getting FF XIII & FFXIII vs ready.
January 14th, 2009
Barnabe Jones,
Do you own a 360?
January 14th, 2009
By default – Yes. My Girlfriend has all three consoles. I usually spend most of my weekends there… So I am technically a weekend 360 and Wii owner.
January 14th, 2009
Infinite Undiscovery – Looks interesting. I would love to give it a shot. It received pretty poor reviews from most critics. I think it’s average is about 70-ish.
The Last Reminate – I was looking forward to the PS3 release, but from what I’ve read about the combat system, I think I’ll pass. This game got below 70-ish.
I realize that looked like a 360 dig, but it actually wasn’t meant to be.
January 14th, 2009
Maybe he just wanted your gamertag
January 14th, 2009
It’s okay, just seeing if you had any ground to stand on to call them “garbage games” other than mixed reviews.
January 14th, 2009
Maybe Star Ocean TLH will do better.
January 14th, 2009
To be honest I think Infinite Undiscovery sounds like the better of the two. I’ll give it a shot eventually.
Star Ocean looks great. I’ve never played any of the others though. It’s a continuing story, right?
January 14th, 2009
Got to finish up Lost Odyssey first before Star Ocean TLH. I didn’t like the first ones so much, but this looks to be different.
January 14th, 2009
Barnabe,
I don’t think it is much of a continuing story, if at all. I don’t remember SO3 and SO2 having anything to do with each other.
-Arvis
January 14th, 2009
Thanks Arvis! That’s good to know. I’m more inclined to get it now.
January 14th, 2009
Barnabe,
You should, the game looks awesome! *smiley face… this is a bit ridiculous…*
-Arvis
January 14th, 2009
I think this scenario sounds quite a bit like BioShock… Thanks again M$!
When asked whether the title would release on the PlayStation 3, Square Enix producer Yoshinori Yamagishi replied “We can say that it will be released first [on the Xbox 360]. Whether we’ll release it on the PS3 is undecided. We may release it, we may not.” Square Enix and The Last Hope’s development team have since stated there are “no plans” for a PS3 version
January 14th, 2009
I think this scenario sounds quite a bit like BioShock…
When asked whether the title would release on the PlayStation 3, Square Enix producer Yoshinori Yamagishi replied “We can say that it will be released first [on the Xbox 360]. Whether we’ll release it on the PS3 is undecided. We may release it, we may not.” Square Enix and The Last Hope’s development team have since stated there are “no plans” for a PS3 version
January 14th, 2009
Hey, Barnabe, don’t be bitter, you’ll still be able to play it on your friend’s 360.
January 14th, 2009
If I have to I will… but I’ll give it a few months until it miraculously gets announced for the PS3.
January 14th, 2009
Isn’t that at least 12? That time period seems to be a recurring history with PS3 for some reason… oh well.
January 15th, 2009
@tm&Juice,
“backstabbing Square Enix”… you’re right they should have stuck with Nintendo (lol).
January 15th, 2009
(happily playing FFTWoL on PSP, wondering if DS version is as good)
January 15th, 2009
Carl,
There is no DS version of War of the Lions. So… you don’t need to wonder anymore.
Incidentally, Final Fantasy Tactics is my favorite video game of all time. What do you think of it?
-Arvis
January 16th, 2009
Arvis,
I was talking about Grimoire of the Rift.
I was initially turned off because I had just finished JDA, but after I put it down and came back to it I like it a lot more. I don’t like the fact that you have to sit through cut scenes instead of having the option to skip through them.
January 16th, 2009
DS version of FFT.
January 16th, 2009
I still need to play FF Tactics… I’m in the middle of both IV and XII at the moment though. I have to work and sleep at some point.
January 16th, 2009
retire early and become an insomniac, that’ll be my solution.