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Capcom's difficult position
- Thread starter CrimsonCrescendo
- Start date
The Giant
Banned
Nintendo buyout.
Yep.
I know a lot of people who didn't pick up RE7 only because of how much they hated RE6. They were just done with the series after that. They weren't even interested in RE7 news or media.
Dr. Carroll
Banned
I think the best avenue would be for Capcom to rebrand as Ubisoft Osaka. Oh, wait, that's right -- there's some law against foreign companies owning Japanese companies, isn't there.
ElBoxyBrown
Banned
Maybe Capcom should stick to "low budget" instead of spending way too much and having high expectations.
ProBusinessgamer
Member
Whats wrong with this article, and most game type news is this.... without knowing the budget, and details of games...you really cant say if missing a sales goal is bad in a way that they didnt hit a target, or bad in a way where they lost money on a game.
This also does not count other revenue flows for these games such as season passes, and other paid DLC, so everyone is jumping to conclusions on DR, and other games without knowing what Capcom is not going to specify, the profit ratio, the total cost (dev/marketing).
This also does not count other revenue flows for these games such as season passes, and other paid DLC, so everyone is jumping to conclusions on DR, and other games without knowing what Capcom is not going to specify, the profit ratio, the total cost (dev/marketing).
clay_ghost
Member
MHW looks good but the majority of the sales it's from Japan where MH got popular because of its portability and Local coop. These two factors are also a draw for a lot of fans (me included, even when I own a PS4 and a gaming pc) who are more reluctant to move onto non portable games which does not offer local coop.
Capcom is banking that new audiences will more than replace the Old ones, idk if it's possible but I wish them luck as long as they also continue to develop Portable MH and localise them.
Or maybe it was the lack of faith based on the issues that RE6 had as well
Frankly, capcom needs to start going strong on appealing to fans, and start showing cool stuff that makes fans go "take my money" or other, for example:
- SFV needs a Super rerelease with new mechanics like more supers/Vtriggers/Vskills, etc., like a free update to SFV owners and a 40$ Physical release with all content unlocked
- MvCI, the game is apparently super fun to play, but general art direction and presentation is something left to be desired, we know there'll be a day 1 update that'll fix some things, Marvel is fucking this up with the "no X-Men" thing, but now they need to show new, non-returning characters
- RE7, they need to hurry and release the "not Chris" free DLC, as well as finally show anything from REmake 2
- DMC, its high time they show something new like DMC5
-MHW, for me this game looks great, its actually making me want to play MH since MH1, i just wanna see more
Then theres all of their other IPs that have been out of the picture for years like Megaman, sure we have the 2nd collection coming but they need something new, like a new MMX, or even restart development of MML3, do another Dragons Dogma, and lets not go into all their other ips like BoF, LP, etc.
Here we have a company that have a plethora of ips that rival nintendos and we've barely seen anything from them for years.
If Capcom could figure out a way to monetize people bitching about Capcom, their future would be assured.
No
DeuceGamer
Member
I keep expecting a merger/acquisition but somehow they continue to remain independent.
They're predicting at least 5 million for MHW. RE7 was pushed to hell and they still didn't make the 4 million number they predicted.
Depending on release date, it's going to be absurdly hard to hit that 5mil number.
Pretty much. They're practically scrapping their traditional MH audience in hopes to catch that western audience. It's a massive gamble for them.
I hope so, but the game just screams "wait for Steam Sale" when it comes to casuals.
Vital Tundra
Member
Its pretty troubling, and I don't even think Monster Hunter World will do all that great compared to its handheld predecessors. I want to say it will do well on PS4/XBO but Im just not certain. Monster Hunters fanbase has significantly grown here in the west but that was because of 2 3DS titles that really got people on board. Now that that platform is off the table and the Switch version of XX isn't coming to the west you now have to rebuild an audience seemingly from scratch, just after having gained a semi substantial audience.
My hope is it does well, but they are gonna have to advertise the shit out of it, and release a proper demo. And im not talking about fighting a low and high rank monster, its gotta be more substantial. Even if it doesn't set the world on fire on the consoles, I do have higher hopes for a PC version. These games tend to resonate with the PC crowd, and I fully expect it to do very well on PC out the gate, and with how PC marketplaces are I expect it to sale well for many years to come, if a little on the slow side.
My hope is it does well, but they are gonna have to advertise the shit out of it, and release a proper demo. And im not talking about fighting a low and high rank monster, its gotta be more substantial. Even if it doesn't set the world on fire on the consoles, I do have higher hopes for a PC version. These games tend to resonate with the PC crowd, and I fully expect it to do very well on PC out the gate, and with how PC marketplaces are I expect it to sale well for many years to come, if a little on the slow side.
Jawbreaker
Member
I think it'll put up some ... "monstrous" numbers on PC. That's the wildcard, but I think it's going to make the difference in the end.
One mistake people make is thinking game development is entirely based around sales/profit and not ambition and the desire to create something new/different sometimes. There's so much concern about how a risky endeavor is going to fare, but we should also remember that developers have the desire to take franchises in new directions once in a while.
clay_ghost
Member
I don't think MHW will fail but I think Capcom expected a lot from MHW and I don't think it's going to reach the portables series numbers.
James Scott
Banned
MHW will likely do better than previous games world wide but probably less in Japan and it likely cost a ton more than any of the 3DS games.
They've also spent the entirety of the franchise's high note creating an audience that's buying these for local co-op on the go which this sounds like it lacks?
Not sure that's their biggest game, or at least not a very big game overall
They've also spent the entirety of the franchise's high note creating an audience that's buying these for local co-op on the go which this sounds like it lacks?
Not sure that's their biggest game, or at least not a very big game overall
NinjaCoachZ
Member
Re MH World, Capcom is basically betting it with the following assumptions.
1. It being on PS4 will bring in western mainstream audiences who haven't played MH before
2. It will make Japanese players flock out in droves to get PS4s to play it on
The problem is they need both these factors to work well enough to offset the opportunity cost of abandoning their handheld/Switch base, which is obviously a massive loss. Monster Hunter X sold over 3 million in Japan, while the PS4's best-selling game atm (FFXV) has barely cracked 1 million.
It's obvious Capcom is one of many companies that underestimated how successful the Switch would end up being. In retrospect abandoning it is pretty obviously a mistake, since it wouldn't have hurt the game's sales by any means. Of course they couldn't have seen that coming, but it just creates the point that the game is fundamentally a gamble.
The question is, will sales explode enough to meaningfully grow the series? Or will western sales simply offset the lost Japanese sales to create results that are good, but not too out-of-character for the series?
If 5 million is what they're expecting... Well, good luck. Maybe it will, but I'm really holding my breath at the moment.
It was more about those three points in conjunction, to make the core idea that there's an audience that could exist for a game like Power Stone as long as they don't go insane with pouring money and crazy expectations into it. Obviously I'm not saying Power Stone has the brand power of Pokken or Dissidia, just that it was one example of a game that could be a nice modest success if they played their cards right.
1. It being on PS4 will bring in western mainstream audiences who haven't played MH before
2. It will make Japanese players flock out in droves to get PS4s to play it on
The problem is they need both these factors to work well enough to offset the opportunity cost of abandoning their handheld/Switch base, which is obviously a massive loss. Monster Hunter X sold over 3 million in Japan, while the PS4's best-selling game atm (FFXV) has barely cracked 1 million.
It's obvious Capcom is one of many companies that underestimated how successful the Switch would end up being. In retrospect abandoning it is pretty obviously a mistake, since it wouldn't have hurt the game's sales by any means. Of course they couldn't have seen that coming, but it just creates the point that the game is fundamentally a gamble.
The question is, will sales explode enough to meaningfully grow the series? Or will western sales simply offset the lost Japanese sales to create results that are good, but not too out-of-character for the series?
If 5 million is what they're expecting... Well, good luck. Maybe it will, but I'm really holding my breath at the moment.
It was more about those three points in conjunction, to make the core idea that there's an audience that could exist for a game like Power Stone as long as they don't go insane with pouring money and crazy expectations into it. Obviously I'm not saying Power Stone has the brand power of Pokken or Dissidia, just that it was one example of a game that could be a nice modest success if they played their cards right.
I am a huge fan of the series and demo is a must for me..
Jawmuncher
Member
Doubtful. It was an entirely different style and positive reviews were up a week in advance
Dear Capcom. Please put away your drugs and the darts that you use for your business decisions.
Just... don't fuck up Monster Hunter. I can deal with skipping World if I can't justify buying into the platforms it will release on, but if you fuckers go into a tailspin due to your continued tomfoolery and deprive me of future MonHan goodness, there will be hell to pay. Make MHW a good game, make it successful, and keep on barfing out more franchise entries ever so often.
Just... don't fuck up Monster Hunter. I can deal with skipping World if I can't justify buying into the platforms it will release on, but if you fuckers go into a tailspin due to your continued tomfoolery and deprive me of future MonHan goodness, there will be hell to pay. Make MHW a good game, make it successful, and keep on barfing out more franchise entries ever so often.
ArtHands
Thinks buying more servers can fix a bad patch
I know it didn't meet its own prediction,but I am sure they are not looking to meet the sales target of 5 and 6 considering that as you say, its a lower budget game which will probably mean lower expectation. USF2 on Switch sold less than SF5, but Capcom calls it a smash hit and happy enough to initiate more Switch projects.
The budget for 6 is I believe the biggest ever for Capcom. There's no way Capcom or any company will be striving to keep doing that because that's unsustainable and risky. All it take is for that game to be a flop to bring the whole company down.
Also, effort =/= money alone.
outunderthestars
Banned
That honestly looks like a DOA roster to someone (me) who doesn't play fighting games.
Yet the only character that matters looks like crap. SFV would have easily the 2m goal in a day if Ken wasn't busted. :[
Dr. Carroll
Banned
No they shouldn't become part of Ubisoft, the greatest publisher/developer on the planet, or no, there's nothing stopping Ubisoft buying them?
clay_ghost
Member
The links are dead (on mobile at least). Or are you making a statement here?
Install base doesn't matter if the right people aren't there. Monster Hunter's success was built on portability, local co-op and a gameplay loop that fits the portable format immensely well. Capcom's gambling so much by throwing away all three of those features and hoping that enough people who might have ignored the franchise before won't do it now.
There's also the fact that it'll be competing in an entirely different arena. There's a world of difference between a $40 3DS game and a $60 PS4 game and that's especially true if you're aiming for more than 4 million sales.
You can't raise stock prices with ambition unless that ambition brings in cash.
.la1n
Member
If only there were a large, vocal community of fans by which to judge a good plan moving forward. If only that same community had spoke up about what they wanted to see in the current line up of games. Alas; they were silent and Capcom was lost as to what to do.
In a last ditch effort they decided they'd put all their effort into MvCi. Surely after people witnessed the craftsmanship and eye for detail the sales and excitement would return. Coupled with an amazing PR campaign; what could go wrong? Only time will tell.
In a last ditch effort they decided they'd put all their effort into MvCi. Surely after people witnessed the craftsmanship and eye for detail the sales and excitement would return. Coupled with an amazing PR campaign; what could go wrong? Only time will tell.
James Scott
Banned
SFV CG renders of alternate costumes is what's supposed to be shown
They really need to focus on AA production and definitely lower their expectations. Nier Automata proved that you don't need a huge budget to be successful. DMC, Dino Crisis, Megaman, and even Lost Planet could work as well-made AA releases. RE in the form of a Revelations type of game could also work (and it does). Stick with lesser budget titles for a couple of years and see how it goes. With their current plan they are definitely going back into trouble sooner than later. They have to adapt.
NinjaCoachZ
Member
Plus, it's also fallacious to focus purely on install base as it is now, when MH World isn't out until March, i.e. when the Switch is more than 4 months old and has had its first holiday. Especially considering that it's projected to do extremely well for the rest of the FY at its current pace, and very likely to outdo PS4 in Japan.
MH World probably started development long before Switch was a thing, and they probably bet on the PS4 doing a lot better in Japan than it ended up doing. It doesn't change though that years down the line, the conditions it's coming out in are totally different than the ones it started in and that's probably not going to be a painless process. The game was a gamble when it was greenlit and it'll be a gamble when it comes out.
Jawbreaker
Member
You can't keep people locked up in a room working on games they have no desire to create forever.
James Scott
Banned
I don't think anyone at Capcom was going "I'm going to leave this successful development team if we continue making MH games"
mugurumakensei
Member
Sales is what pays the bills. If you're not budgeting properly and there's not enough revenue coming in, you typically don't take risks. Of course, MHW was greenlighted before the failure of SFV, the failure of DR4. and the lukewarm sales of RE7. Entering into deals with Sony was a bad decision by Capcom.
Edit: Actually, entering into deals with any of the manufacturers has turned out poorly for Capcom. DR1 worked out but DR3 and DR4 suffered for it. The Gamecube incident is known. The only exclusivity to have ever truly worked out in Capcom's favor was those of the portable games.
Yes the women do look good on this game.
On character select he looks horrid however in-game he looks perfectly fine.
Jawbreaker
Member
If the team behind one of your most successful IPs says they want to create a new title in the series from the ground up for consoles because they've been yearning to do something more ambitious, you let them. Alternatively, you risk destroying their spirits and them eventually bailing.
My point wasn't that sales don't matter at all — of course they do. They're not half-assing this title precisely because they have some faith in its sales potential.
ElBoxyBrown
Banned
The next SF does need a new art style. We can't keep referencing SFIV forever.
ArtHands
Thinks buying more servers can fix a bad patch
Something wrong on your side. Its working fine on my iphone and pc.
SmokedMeat
Gamer™
Capcom needs to bring the Disney Afternoon Collection over to Switch, as well as bring whatever MH XX they've got to the US.
Switch games are selling well, and it's foolish to leave the platform out.
Switch games are selling well, and it's foolish to leave the platform out.
There's no law barring foreign companies from buying Japanese ones, though it has to be approved by regulators.
James Scott
Banned
They needed new assets this Generation no matter where they went.
Either way it's probably dumb to assume they would've left if they couldn't make something different
Except SFV art style and animation direction is actually some of the best work Capcom have done this generation. It's a shame the sales didn't reflect that but as they've said they are in it for the long haul so it will be interesting to see what their plans are soon.
Yes the women do look good on this game.
On character select he looks horrid however in-game he looks perfectly fine.
Nah him, Alex, Ibuki, Birdie, and a few others look pretty terrible. The artstyle in general is pretty bad. Luckily a few had shined through.
Jawbreaker
Member
Did they? The core Monster Hunter audience in Japan would be perfectly fine buying higher resolution 3DS titles on the Switch.
I don't think it's dumb to think about the overall happiness of employees and how being denied their creative desires can lead to dissatisfaction and ultimately departures. I'm not saying it's a foregone conclusion, just a real possibility.
Dr. Carroll
Banned
That's interesting.
Yeah, good point. The Switch would have actually already had its first Monster Hunter in Japan by that point. Japanese fans would have just gotten comfy with the new system only to have the next MH game be on a console they probably won't even own.
Of course, but that doesn't deflect from the fact that Capcom's still a business and, as is often the case, businesses take major risks if they give their employees everything they want.
I don't like Alex's new default but his nostalgia looks great. Pretty much most of the cast look and animate great though.
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