Part 9/12:
The Decline of the PlayStation Brand
This sales decline mirrors a broader erosion of the PlayStation brand’s appeal in Japan. Once the leader with a strong repertoire of beloved Japanese franchises, PlayStation now finds itself sidelined as Japanese developers and consumers gravitate toward Nintendo’s more accessible and culturally aligned offerings, as well as PC gaming.
Furthermore, the PlayStation 5, despite its technical superiority, faces supply shortages and little compelling exclusive content that resonates with the Japanese audience. The perception that Sony is prioritizing Western markets—particularly the lucrative US and EU—over its own roots has fueled grievances among Japanese gamers.