FEATURE: HOW DRAGON QUEST IX RULED JAPAN Posted by PlayDevil.com Staff on Oct 29, 2009 11:25 (Oct 29, 2009 11:25) |
The prevalence of individuals and couples scattered everywhere playing DQ9 are an oddity but they are nothing compared to designated DQ9 areas. McDonalds would be the easiest reference to make. Here flyers are distributed in every branch of the hamburger chain promoting it as a place to meet and connect.
 While the McDonald’s push is a clear attempt to ensure children continue trying to drag their families to the restaurant, ensuring brisk trade there, are less exploitative places to meet. For me the local Yodabashi Camera in Umeda (Osaka) is the most significant. In the center of the business district, sat next to the commutation hub of Japans second city, stands this huge electronics retailer. Here there is a DQ9 hub. Come during the morning to see mothers and children, in the evening to see businessmen, it attracts people from all walks of life. There are always people there, eyes locked, transfixed on their tiny screens.
Lets put this in perspective a little. When Halo was released in America it was hailed as the most successful game launch ever. It made millions in the first week and in the first month achieved sales of 3.3 million units (in the US alone). Placed against the population of the USA that is close to 1% of the country. In the first Month Square managed to sell 3.5 million units in Japan. That means 3% of the total population had already bought just four weeks after release, and it remains at number one in the sales charts some eight weeks later (though it has been knocked off the top spot a few times).
I will concede that the install base of the DS no doubt helped with these figures, but think about the significance of 3% of the population owning the game. That translates (theoretically) to around 12% of households owning a copy, in a month. I am sure lifetime sales will hold Wii Sports (not bundled with the Wii in Japan) exceeds this, but the sheer speed at which the DQ9 sold is mind-boggling. Also there is the fact that DQ9 is on a handheld platform so can be played everywhere making its impact all the more visible. I have never seen anything like it before. The community it has instigated is wonderful to behold. It is just a shame that no one is looking at anyone else, or even talking, while they are involved in it.
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Oct 29, 2009 12:10:39 (Oct 29, 2009 12:10)
