Epic Default Productions

Capcom is a rather prolific company with a storied history.  They have created some extremely popular game series, such as Megaman (Rockman),  Resident Evil (Biohazard), and Street Fighter, as well as many popular single games or short-lived series, such as Okami, Viewtiful Joe, and Dead Rising. What can make a company as epic as Capcom fail?  Dive in and we shall find out.

Forgetting.  Capcom, as previously mentioned, has produced a fair amount of great games.  Megaman, Resident Evil, and Street Fighter combined have more than 70 million games sold, which at a bargain price of $20 per game, would mean 1.4 billion in sales for these franchises alone.  These games, being the most recognized, define the company as they are today.  Ignoring and forgetting these franchises, and what makes them great would spell doom for the company.  With Megaman, Capcom has constantly updated the series breathe new life into it.  The newest incarnations of the Megaman series give the player a chance to play a classic concept in an updated environment.  This brings in new gamers looking for a flashy game while still giving the seasoned gamers a classic figure and concept in which to enjoy.  Occasionally, Capcom even goes back to their roots and comes up with a new game done in the classic style, just to please their fans (well, actually to make a buck, but who’s counting?).  Forgetting what makes these storied franchises great would mean death for Capcom.  Either halting all production of these games, or a complete change in style would make the company crumble.  Would you by a Street Fighter RPG (traditional RPG style)?  Megaman point and click adventure?  What about a Resident Evil learning game?  How about any of the franchises turned into a modern Sonic game?  A sudden and drastic shift in style and content of the games would bring a crushing blow to the loved company.

Forgetting, again.  While the franchises are great, Capcom also has some other games that deserve to be noted as well.  Okami is a great example of a game that shows what Capcom can do outside of their franchises.  Forgetting that there are games outside of the main franchises will really hurt the bottom line of Capcom.  Despite its fantastic reviews, Okami sold only about half a million copies, but a few solid, fantastic games like Okami per year add up greatly towards keeping the company solid.  Even though many of the games Capcom makes are related to their storied franchises, there is a fair amount of good games that are not, and that shows a company like Capcom can produce quality games.  Forgetting the single and small franchise games would really hurt not only the company, but also the gamers, dying to try Capcom’s latest invention.

Forgetting, one more time, with feeling.  Not only does Capcom make good games, they also make unique games that are rather well received.  Step back and think up a ridiculous concept for a game.  Go ahead, I can wait…  Now, if you were to choose a game company to make this concept successful, wouldn’t you want to choose a company that can make the boredom of a court-room exciting?  Ace Attorney is an example of a small series, based on a rather unique concept that is done well.  Capcom has shown itself the ability to come out swinging with a rather, shall we say, interesting concept, and hit a proverbial home-run.  The reviews for the Ace Attorney games show that, while not everyone likes to sit through boring courtroom scenes, there is a positive aspect to what these games provide. If Capcom were to forget there is a world out there filled with untapped concepts for games, the company as a whole would suffer.  With over one million Ace Attorney games sold, a concept as weird as courtroom drama can become financially successful in capable hands.

Survival of a company such as Capcom depends on creating great games, and maintaining that level of quality.  Failure to do so would mean the destruction of a loved company.  So, Capcom, if you are reading this, “Don’t screw up!  We will find you if you do.”