According to reports, Xbox Series X and S launch title Yakuza: Like a Dragon has been indefinitely delayed in Japan. This implies that the biggest Japan-made launch title for Microsoft’s next-gen consoles won’t be releasing in Japan itself.

Earlier this year, Yakuza: Like a Dragon released for the PS4. In the USA, the game will finally release for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on November 10. Interestingly, the delay is exclusive to Japan.

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Japan’s significance for the Xbox Series X and S

Owing to its enormous size and revenue, Japan is one of the most competitive gaming markets in the world. Console giants like Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo have always emphasized on maximizing their sales in the region. However, both Nintendo and Sony are Japan-based companies and already have a huge user base.

Xbox, on the flip side, is at the outset of influencing the Japanese gaming community. Despite Xbox One’s failure, the pre-order sales for the Series X/S have been promising in the region. Hence, Yakuza: Like a Dragon was an important game for Microsoft, in order to continue the momentum. Certainly, the indefinite delay in the game’s release, as reported by VGC,  is a setback for the American console giant.

Delay in other titles like Halo and The Medium

Yakuza: Like a Dragon is not the first launch title to face a delay in its release. Back in August, Microsoft pushed the release of Halo Infinite to 2021. Another Xbox exclusive title The Medium was delayed in order to avoid competition with Cyberpunk 2077.

Evidently, Xbox has no launch titles for 2020, and players will have to wait till mid-2021 to play any exclusive titles. On the contrary, Sony’s PS5 offers brilliant exclusive titles like Demon’s Souls remake and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, on release.

In terms of performance, the PS5 and the Series X are on par with each other. As a result, fans might choose their next-gen console on the basis of exclusive titles.

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The recent delay in another launch title is bad news for Microsoft. However, the console war is still closer than ever as the Xbox Series X/S and PS5 release on November 10, and November 12, respectively.