Prior to Microsoft’s July 2 announcement of large-scale employee layoffs, several studio closures, and canceled games, the official Xbox Japan X account had been eerily silent since June 30. The silence went on for about 10 days before finally being broken on July 10. Things seem like they have gone back to normal, but the concern and confusion expressed by Japanese fans (due to the timing of the absence) hasn’t disappeared.
Xbox Japan’s last post before the Microsoft layoffs is an advertisement for the upcoming Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4. Although initial engagement for the post was low, some were starting to notice the account’s lack of updates.
Dedicated Xbox VTuber takumishiina even went so far as to ask Xbox Japan if everything was okay. What she didn’t expect was for Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer to reply to her query, saying there is no need to worry and that Xbox Japan will be posting again soon.
True to Spencer’s word, Xbox Japan recently posted a link to an Xbox Wire Japan article about how and why Japanese players play Minecraft. While the article itself is an interesting read, X commenters are just happy to see that the account is posting again.
On a related note, the official Microsoft Korea X account has been silent ever since June 27. Ironically, its last post was for Minecraft’s Chase the Skies update, which is discussed in the aforementioned Xbox Wire Japan article.
