Xbox One Japan launch date finally announced

Microsoft has confirmed today that its Xbox One console will launch in Japan on September 4, 2014. Though pricing was not revealed, Microsoft published a list of more than 40 games that will be available at the time of the launch including 48 game developers that have expressed interest in developing software for the system.

Among the games that will be available in the region are Ryse: Son of Rome, Sunset Overdrive, Kingdom Hearts III, and "Halo on Xbox One." The list of additional game developers pledging there support can be viewed in full below.

The Xbox One was initially released on November 22, 2013. Though it was originally slated to release in 21 markets, that number was whittled down to just 13: United States, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Spain, United Kingdom, and New Zealand. Since its launch, those markets have combined to help Microsoft ship (not sell to customers) more than 5 million Xbox One consoles to retailers.

However, in September, the Xbox One will launch in 26 additional markets, one of them being Japan on September 4. Microsoft notes, however, that this specific date only applies to Japan. The other 25 markets will have to wait for their launch date to be announced.

Though this is exciting news for Japan, it's not likely that the country will provide a tremendous boost in sales for Microsoft's new console — at least not the amount that would pose a threat to Sony's PS4. Japan, being home to Sony, is generally more in favor of PlayStation. In fact, looking at last gen numbers, only 1.6 million Xbox 360s have been sold in Japan life-to-date (according to Media Create). Comparatively, about 10 million PS3s have been sold in the country.

Below is the full list of regional game companies developing for the Xbox One:

• Arc System Works
• Atodinku
• Access Games Corporation
• Acquire
• Altus
• Inter glow
• Experience
• SNK Playmore
• Electronic Arts
• Kadokawa Games
• Capcom
• Gung Ho Online Entertainment, Inc.
• Cute
• Grounding Ltd.
• Gref
• Klong Co.
• Cave
• Genki
• Tecmo Koei Games
• Codemasters Ltd.
• Konami Digital Entertainment
• CyberConnect2
• Cyber Step Corporation
• Silicon Studio Co.
• Zoo
• Square Enix
• Spike Chunsoft
• Sega
• Tango Gameworks
• 2K Games
• Teikutsu Interactive Japan
• D3 Publisher Inc.
• Triangle Service
• Nippon Ichi Software
• Hamster
• Namco Bandai Games Inc.
• Namco Bandai Studio
• Business Partners
• From Software
• Bethesda Softworks
• Marvelous AQL
• Mages
• Moss
• Yukes
• Ubisoft
• Land Ho
• Level Five
• Warner Entertainment Japan Co., Ltd.

[Microsoft Japan]