Japan's retail game market grows (barely) for the first time in five years

The Japanese retail game market grew by 1.2 percent in fiscal 2012, marking the first time the Japanese market has grown in five years. According to data from Famitsu publisher Enterbrain, and as translated by Tech In Asia, the market grew to $4.6 billion in Japan for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, thanks in part to increased video game console sales. Hardware sales were up five percent year-over-year to around $1.8 billion, thanks to the launch of the Nintendo Wii U, the new Nintendo 3DS LL, and the price cuts on Sony's PlayStation 3 and PS Vita. Notably, software sales for consoles and handhelds actually contracted by 1.2 percent to $2.8 billion. This increase has come despite the fact that many of the bigger Japanese publishers like Konami and Bandai Namco are increasing their focus on mobile social games over console releases.