Capcom aims to increase output

By Wesley Yin-Poole Published 27 July, 2010

Will enlist Western studios to do it.

Capcom aims to release its big hitters like Resident Evil more frequently, and will outsource to the West to do it, according to a report.

Currently, Capcom releases one or two games annually based on its primary franchises.

It wants to up that number to three or four, according to Japanese media outlet Nikkei (translated by Andriasang).

Why? To increase sales, of course.

Nikkei's report is about attempts by publishers to reduce development times.

"Developing a large scale title requires a staff of over 100. To increase output, Capcom plans on making use of outsourcing, centred primarily on North American and European studios.

"Through the use of external resources, Capcom believes it can reduce development times from four years to between two and three years," the report reads.

More Resident Evil games more often will help Capcom avoid the falling sales and earnings it reported last year.

The burning question is, will this increased output result in more main franchise games, such as Resident Evil 5, or spin-off titles? Time will tell.

Picture of Wesley.

About Wesley Yin-Poole

Wesley is Eurogamer's news editor. He likes news, interviews, and more news. He also likes Street Fighter more than anyone can get him to shut up about it.

Read more articles from Wesley by visiting the Wesley Yin-Poole archive page.

You may also like...

Comments (30) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • bad09 #1 2 years ago

    Well Resi does badly need fresh new eyes on it since the reboot with 4 so maybe this is a good thing to save the series from the snoozefest Capcom have turned it into.

    Oh and Capcom increase that output by including SSFIV on PC please. Thanks!

  • RobTheBuilder #2 2 years ago

    PN04!
    Killer 8!

    Oh... increase sales... rats.

  • Eraser #3 2 years ago

    Bad idea. Games like Resident Evil should be something to look out for. Have a RE game every two years and it's a big deal when a RE game is released and people will look forward to it. Release a RE game twice a year and people will dismiss them as cheap ripoffs. It's just saturating the market.

  • pinchofsalt #4 2 years ago

    Just put PN03 on PSN in proper high-def.

  • speedjack #5 2 years ago

    I thought they said not six months ago that they were backing away from Euro and North American devs. after 'quality' issues with Bionic Commando and Dark Void ?

  • ChthonicEcho #6 2 years ago

    They've already started following the trend of outsourcing with Dead Rising 2. Curious how that turns out.

  • tachometer #7 2 years ago

    They should do a remake of MERCS with the resi 5 engine, isometric view, 3 player co-op, rpg style gun upgrades/customisable armour; MEGACRASH!!

  • bdc #8 2 years ago

    It will result in worse games

  • Rizo #9 2 years ago

    Please capcom focus on quality

  • Jonathan_Fakenham #10 2 years ago

    Weren't they just saying the outsourcing hadn't worked out so well, and were kind of talking shit about Bionic Commando and Dark Void?

  • Doctor_What #11 2 years ago

    I love PN03. I heartily second the call for that on PSN.

  • NimbusTLD #12 2 years ago

    Does the thought of a western developed RE scare anyone else here??

  • TheNinkyNonk #13 2 years ago

    Err...didn't they say this about 2 years ago and then say it was a bad idea after Bionic Commando and Dark Void?

    /puzzled

  • superdelphinus #14 2 years ago

    is it just me or did this article have a different title earlier?!

  • richarddavies #15 2 years ago

    @Ninkynonk Yeah im confused, im sure they was saying the exact opposite to this not long ago because of the sales/reviews of games like Dark void and Bionic commando and the like.

  • the_mtfr #16 2 years ago

    I can help you out financially, Capcom, just release SSF4 on PC and I'll give you money for it. Why the hell do I have to beg Capcom so that I can give them money anyway? Man they're dumb.

  • teabagger #17 2 years ago

    The comments re Bionic Commando were regarding new IP developed by external studios whereas this is about existing and established IP.

  • gringohairpiece #18 2 years ago

    would be nice to read they intended to increase quality not quantity. If sales are falling why do they think releasing more of the same would help? Oh Halo you say, ok now i understand

    edit:spelling fixed
    Edited by 1 at 27/07/10 @ 13:53

  • RobTheBuilder #19 2 years ago

    PN03 in HD = Awesomeness

    Let's hope this works out well and doesn't turn into Resident Evil 6, Resident Evil 6 Turbo, Resident Evil 6 Hyper, Super Resident Evil 6, Resident Evil 6 +Alpha, Resident Evil X Tekken, etc...

  • Peter_LIAR_Molyneux #20 2 years ago

    Apparently Capcom is jumping on Ubisoft's and Activision Blizzard's bandwagon of pumping out sequels out as fast as humanly possible. If they want to dilute their franchises by outsourcing them to the cheapest foreign labour available, then this is the best way to go.

  • Slipstream #21 2 years ago

    I can't believe this.

    I guess with their current success they can afford to experiment and throw some free cash into the Kotic premium business plan.

    "Are you a company with several established franchises under your belt? Well that's great, now is the time to milk them! Sell out on their names and earn the big £££'s, cast aside principles of time and dedication and release them post-haste, your audience wont wait! Make that moola, I have and now look at me!" ~ B.Kotick
    Edited by 1 at 27/07/10 @ 17:27

  • RobotRocker #22 2 years ago

    I thought they said not six months ago that they were backing away from Euro and North American devs. after 'quality' issues with Bionic Commando and Dark Void ?

    Inafune bitched the Capcom Japan execs out because they gave Grin and Airtight very little support and rushed them to market instead of incubating them like the rest of the games they produce. Hence why Capcom Japan have very tight involvement in Dead Rising 2 even though its being developed in Canada. He wants them to be involved more with western developers and have them share ideas and tech with Capcom Japan which could explain why there has been another sudden turn around in policy.

    They should make another Maximo. That game was awesome, and also developed in the US.

  • Sir_STRESSHEaD #23 2 years ago

    Hang on! Didn't Capcom not long ago state that they were going to cease using Western game studios due to poor sales/end results of games such as Dark Void etc? And wasn't it on Eurogamer I read that on not so long ago?

    edited: As has been mentioned by other people previously
    Edited by 1 at 27/07/10 @ 14:32

  • Golgo #24 2 years ago

    just make a new onimusha, but without that french git please.

  • UKLL #25 2 years ago


    nm
    Edited by 1 at 27/07/10 @ 17:08

  • thepiedpiper #26 2 years ago

    being able to move AND shoot in your games would be tremendously appreciated!

  • KDR_11k #27 2 years ago

    Wait, didn't Capcom just recently announce that they're no longer working with western devs because Dark Void and Bionic Commando flopped?

  • alcides #28 2 years ago

    Japan has been drowning in its own mediocrity ever since the DS and PSP came out, a little earlier than next gen. I only have like 3 japanese titles for my PS3, two of which were foretold to be great but really steaming crap.

  • KDR_11k #29 2 years ago

    Just put PN03 on PSN in proper high-def.

    I'd be happy with 24 bit color, the 16 bit color banding was really obvious in that game. Of course I don't think it'd be terribly much work to remodel some of the things in it to make them look good in HD, at least Vanessa would probably look a bit too polygonal with high res screens.

    If it comes I want it on XBLA too since I don't have a PS3 and can't afford one.

  • jambii267 #30 2 years ago

    A bionic commando sequel would be nice, seems I am the only one who loved that game though.