Okami needs to sell or no sequel

By Tom Bramwell Published 29 July, 2008

Capcom VP spells it out.

Capcom needs to sell lots more copies of Okami before it will contemplate a sequel, according to VP of strategic planning Christian Svensson.

"I think we need a lot more people buying the current version before we seriously consider a sequel," Svensson told the Capcom-Unity forum.

Asked about worldwide sales of Okami (and Wii title Zack & Wiki), he added: "Alas, unless our investor relations team gives out the numbers, I can't do so. And in both cases, they haven't."

Later in the thread, though, Svensson also responded to one forumite's exasperated comment that the game is hard to find in Europe.

"We brings things to retailers to sell... retailers decide what to put on their shelf and how much of it.

"Obviously, we push as hard as we can to make that happen. Sometimes retailers opt to not take product or they take only a small quantity.

"And how good the game is, unfortunately is only a part of the equation."

How good is Okami? Well, Capcom's Zelda-inspired action-adventure earned 10/10 from us - twice. Kristan fell in love with it on PS2 and Keza felt much the same way about the Wii version.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

You may also like...

Comments (65) Latest comment 4 years ago

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

  • asphaltcowboy #1 4 years ago

    So how many more do we need to buy, because I bought one already!

  • kissthestick #2 4 years ago

    still have the ps2 version, bought the wii version, completed it and sold it for good profit

    am i part of the problem? :)
    Edited by 1 at 29/07/08 @ 09:03

  • jonsaan #3 4 years ago

    Sequel titled Okami Fitness Weight Lose Rave.

    Sells a gazillion.

  • Bearintraining #4 4 years ago

    I bought Okami... I really really want this game to be a hit :(

  • Der_tolle_Emil #5 4 years ago

    I almost bought a PS2 for this back when it came out. I didn't. I do have the Wii version however and I haven't touched it yet. I don't have to work on Friday though so that means I have a long weekend and I'm really looking forward to play as much Okami as possible.

  • bioreit #6 4 years ago

    I have yet to buy my Wii copy, but shall do so presently.

    /doing my part

  • Masarin #7 4 years ago

    Hm. I can't see a "casual gamer" spend lots of time with this game. I think they want instant gratification through cartoony gfx, "comprehensible" controls etc. Nintendo sells loads of Wiis to easily impressed people which, I think, don't buy that many games in the long run. That's where the casual comes in I guess... but what do I know. :-)

  • locus2k1 #8 4 years ago

    I hope all those 'core gamers who own a wii and complain about there not being enough games on the wii have bought this... or plan to buy this, it deserves to sell so much more then it has, like BG&E (which fortunately is getting a sequel :D)

    A beautiful game with great gameplay and quirky humour, not to be missed by anyone with a PS2, a BC PS3 or a Wii! :)

  • MORZTAN #9 4 years ago

    I actually bought a PS2 just to play this, and even though I cursed all the way through, because it wasn't on the Wii, I don't think I will buy the Wii version now... There isn't that much replay value..

    But I'll tell you one thing. Adventure games doesn't come as good as this more than once every decade...

    BUY!

  • robg #10 4 years ago

    @Nick_JC1

    That argument is only really relevant to a rather small subset of people who read the rave reviews, bought the game, didn't like the intro, travelled back in time, and persuaded themselves not to buy it. But perhaps they're more statistically significant than I realise.

  • dr_faulk #11 4 years ago

    When I went to buy it, it was sold out. (in a GAME shop!) He said they only got in FOUR copies in the first week!

    I bought it in Xtravision, and have fallen in love with it. They'd sell more if they actually put some marketing behind it.

  • MORZTAN #12 4 years ago

    @robg

    Actually, I thing NickJC1 has a point.

    My friend watched the intro and decided he didn't want to buy the game. And is, if there ever was such a thing, a hardcore gamer.

    So I do think thats relevant.

  • Mr_V #13 4 years ago

    I'm not so sure I want to see a Capcom-developed sequel to Ōkami…

  • niz #14 4 years ago

    Release the sequel for PS3 and Xbox 360. It would look even more amazing on the HD consoles.

  • Nomgle #15 4 years ago

    Svensson also responded to one forumite's exasperated comment that the game is hard to find in Europe

    Eh ? It's instock for the Wii, right this second at both Amazon and Play. Hard to find indeed...

  • the_dudefather #16 4 years ago

    I might have to try this again, played it for a hour or two before but didn't really get into it

    it felt like it was a good enough game, but the fancy filter and art direction suddenly makes it THE BEST GAEM EVER!

    /hides

  • bad09 #17 4 years ago

    Nick_JC1 does have a point. the over the top Japanese art style is just not appealing to most people. Add to that the game had zero marketing both on PS2 and Wii (as far as I know) it's no surprise the sales aren't great.

    I've not played Okami, but always been intrigued by the sweeping praise it gets (maybe if PS3 goes BC I'll pick it up at last) but despite the universal acclaim is not hard to see why the public didn't really bite TBH.

  • Darren #18 4 years ago

    If UK sales of the Wii version are anything to go by, it has sold poorly as I seem to recall it entered the All-Formats Chart as a low position (33rd?) and then dropped out the chart altogether the next week. Not very encouraging really for such a wonderful game. :(

    I bought the PS2 version a year ago and still bought it for the Wii as it that's good. This is a perfect example of a really, really good game failing to sell (EA take note!). Whether that's down to consumer tastes or lack of promotion, I'm not sure. Was this game even advertised over here... I don't recall ever seeing an advert for the game in magazines or on TV...? :?

    Ironically, this might a game that doesn't appeal to the Wii masses who are presumably mostly casual gamers but it's exactly the thing that we core gamers (who appear to be in the minority) are screaming out at Nintendo for.

  • OrgasmicMutton #19 4 years ago

    You know what, I'm usually the first to complain about the art direction of Japanese games. I was almost turned off Zack and Wiki because of its graphical style but ended up thoroughly enjoying it because it was such a well thought out puzzle game. No More Heroes is one of the very few games I've flat out refused to play purely based on looks as I think it's utterly ugly.

    However I didn't get that at all with Okami. I love the art style. Indeed the only turn off at the start was the annoying blathering voices in the background; but having previously just played the even more annoying Zack and Wiki it wasn't long untill my brain just filtered them out! Sure the first couple of hours weren't going to set the world on fire but they were just a brief introduction; not much worse in my mind than the start of any Zelda game.

    Shame it's not selling and that (if the average playtime figures on the Nintendo channel are anything to go by) those who are buying it aren't experiencing the whole of this wonderful adventure.

  • Machetazo #20 4 years ago

    I got the PS2 Okami, and I insisted on the store finding me a copy of Z&W, before I'd buy a Wii from them :) It may surprise, but I've spent far more time playing Zack & Wiki. It's tricky to make time for Okami, but I can try Zack even when I only have a short amount of time to spare. :D

  • rogermellie #21 4 years ago

    I bought the PS2 version, but sadly none of friends or family did.

    Surely the more mainstream gaming becomes the less likely these kind of games will be made.

    Maybe next time they should use FIFA or Need for Speed for the box art.

  • andywilkie35 #22 4 years ago

    i bought the ps2 and wii version, coz its that good

    its a shame that a lot of people can't like a game unless its got guns and homo-erotica in it

  • gamefan #23 4 years ago

    I bough the PS2 version and unkile ost others on here I couldn't get it into it. There is so much to love about it, but the crazy voice effect (accent) drove me nuts!

  • Macross #24 4 years ago

    Ok, im probably gonna get lynched for this, although perhaps not seeing as I have a copy of Okami. But I honestly think its one of the most overrated games this generation. Sorry, just my opinion i know lots of people like it, I just cant bring myself into thinking its much fun while im playing it.

  • CapnCloudchaser #25 4 years ago

    I haven't even played it, yet alone bought it. Sorry, I would like to, but other games come first for a skint student :D

    It's certainly on my never ending 'must buy' list though.

  • michaelius #26 4 years ago

    They should have changed Issun in Wii version to small flying Mario then they would sell milions :D

    It;s depresing to see how such a beatifull and briliant game fails due to mindless masses wanting only mainstream crap.

  • tgigreeny #27 4 years ago

    Bought the PS2 version last week. It's so unutterably good that I'm toying with the idea of getting a Wii just to play the Wii version. C'mon Capcom, you may not have sold trillions of the thing, but I guarantee you a large percentage of people who bought a copy of the first game will be the follow up!

  • ekko #28 4 years ago

    I'm currently playing thought Okami (Wii) at the moment and I love it, but some of the above commentators have a point about the start of it, it's too text heavy and the graphics and art design are almost overwhelming. It took me a good hour at least before I finally felt comfortable playing it.

    Now I've gotten over that "hump" it's one of the most enjoyable games I've played for the Wii, for anyone disappointed there wasn't a new Zelda announced at E3, get this instead, it will definitely fill the gap.

    And even if there isn't a sequel, if games like Okami don't sell then developers and publishers quickly realise that they might as well churn out crappy minigame collections instead of "proper" games.

  • tobsen #29 4 years ago

    Dear Capcom, after reading about these statements from your "VP of strategic planning" about your "investor relations team", my respect for you has taken a hit, because it sounds like the typical corporate bullshitand not a lot like true enthusiam for games or gamers.

  • tgigreeny #30 4 years ago

    @ michaelius - It is and it isn't. It's more depressing to see large corporate behemoth's toss aside high quality IP because they can't get a criminally high return on investment out of it. The mainstream will always overlook titles like Okami, and to a lesser extent things like Ico. They are niche games. But only when the market has reached the size it has now, supported by the mainstream, can niche titles still attract an audience of sufficient size to justify modern day development costs. One percent of a worldwide audiece of 10 million is still a half decent ammount. So let the proles buy their FIFA Streets and their Need for Speeds, it just makes enoying games like Okami more of a personal experience.

  • BooMMooB #31 4 years ago

    To be fair I think the Wii as a platform is a terrible choice for Okami. Give me some sales numbers of challenging games on the Wii that is not stamped with the Nintendo Brand. If not all, then a huge percentage of games totally fail on the Wii sales wise if it's not a casual and/or party game or has the quality seal that the Nintendo name is associated with.

    I pray that Capcom do bring a sequal to PS3 or X360, but it is likely not going to happen. :(

    Maybe Okami on the DS would be a good idea?

  • Rufus #32 4 years ago

    @CapnCloudchaser:

    I bought Okami on PS2 for £12 from HMV months ago. They've got a sale on (when havent they!) so try and see if your local one has it.

    As for those annoyed by the long intro (and in some cases decided NOT to buy the game on that argument), have any of you played the Metal Gear Solid games? I can understand wanting to play a game straight away but have some patience, you are rewarded for it! Even I got a bit frustrated at first but once I got into the game I forgot about it.

    @ Mr_V: You've got a MASSIVE point there man. If the guys from the now defunct Clover cant somehow come together for it, Im not sure a sequel would be a good idea anyway.

    Its such a shame that many unique and innovative games dont sell (Sony decided to release ICO a second time when Shadow of the Colossus was released and people STILL didnt buy it). The irony seems to be that once out of print, people go crazy for them on Ebay (Kula World, We Love Katamari etc). I just dont understand it! x

  • rudedudejude #33 4 years ago

    Maybe if they did some active marketing campaigns people may know about it...

  • Toothball #34 4 years ago

    I've been trying to sell Okami to everyone I meet. But the thing is I'm not sure if I want a direct sequel of some sort. Part of the beauty of it was that it was new and unique, so turning into a franchise wouldn't quite be the same.

    Saying that, I'm sure I'd be all over another one. I'll probably pick up the Wii version to go with the PS2 copy I have because it's so wonderful. Also means I can show it to more people.

  • UncleLou #35 4 years ago

    Ok, Capcom, I'll buy it if you announce Zack & Wiki 2 and RE5 Wii.

  • Razz #36 4 years ago

    That's hilarious. :)

  • team_evil #37 4 years ago

    NICK_JC1 doesn't deserve eyes.

  • tomjoadsghost #38 4 years ago

    Maybe if capcom were *so* interested in producing a sequel to okami they should have considered not dismantling clover, as it is any sequel they did produce would be a sequel in name only anyhow.

    Isnt it weird how whenever any game is lauded as being original everyone automatically asumes that we want a conveyor line of sequels to the thing, surely thats the point missed in the first place.

  • Eraser #39 4 years ago

    Yes! Yes! I am going to buy the Wii version this week!

  • MORZTAN #40 4 years ago

    @Rufus

    I think it is because the intro is badly executed. You are thrown into this sea of colour and blurriness and the conversations goes on forever and you quickly get a bad impression from the game.

    It's a whole lot different that Metal Gear which always makes sense, and have very short to-the-point conversations. (Now take that sentence and reverse totally reverse it, but I still don't think you can compare it to MGS, as it is an established brand)

  • Skywise #41 4 years ago

    Maybe they should learn that releasing old ports for higher prices than the Nintendo games isn't favourable to sales.

  • Bleh #42 4 years ago

    I'm not playing as much on the Wii as I did. Now I only use it for party games with some friends. Liquor and Wii is a fun combination.
    It's sad for these good 1 player games but I just prefer them on the pc.

  • Razorus #43 4 years ago

    Such a shame that the marketing campaign was near non-existent. Very stupid strategy from Capcom in my opinion. Releasing the Wii version amidst all the other games that were competing, AND not even bothering to advertise it properly tells me that they didn't learn anything from the PS2 release. I'd like to put it down to bad luck, but in truth, it's the marketing which must be blamed.

    Please please please, Wii owners. Buy this game. You will not regret it. And I want the sequel.

  • Rufus #44 4 years ago

    @ MORZTAN:


    "I think it is because the intro is badly executed. You are thrown into this sea of colour and blurriness and the conversations goes on forever and you quickly get a bad impression from the game".

    Yeah I guess your right, though it certainly didnt give ME a bad impression. I'm a patient lad y'see. Being a Guinness drinker, I dont mind waiting for things that are great :)

  • Quint2020 #45 4 years ago

    They should have launched it on the 360 or PS3 with updated graphics, it was obvious the Wii crowd were not going to be lining up to pick this one up, they're all playing Carnival Games.

  • HermitArcader #46 4 years ago

    Post deleted at 09:17:39 22-12-2011

  • Santino #47 4 years ago

    Quint2020...

    if that is the case why didn't it even sell on the ps2? face it the game is niche, add to that any game releasing on any platform with no advertising and being a full price port is going to struggle.

    however, i bought the game, thought it was really good up until the end where they shift the goalposts one time too many, so i just stopped playing where i thought the game should have ended so that my opinion of the game wouldnt drop too much.

    loved it while it lasted though

  • MORZTAN #48 4 years ago

    "Actually, I thing NickJC1 has a point.

    My friend watched the intro and decided he didn't want to buy the game. And he is, if there ever was such a thing, a hardcore gamer."

    Nevermind! This thread just convinced him to buy it anyway, and he did just five minutes ago :D No shit!

    Now: Where´s my sequel Capcom? :)

  • GingerNathan #49 4 years ago

    "Maybe if capcom were *so* interested in producing a sequel to okami they should have considered not dismantling clover, as it is any sequel they did produce would be a sequel in name only anyhow.
    "
    They didn't dismantle Clover, at least not for the reason of low sales of their games. All the main members left (founding SEEDS, and then changing it to Platinum Games Inc), so with all the creative talent having flown the coup Capcom closed them. So even if they had have re-staffed Clover any sequel still wouldn't have been created by the same people.

  • lemonfist #50 4 years ago

    How did everyone feel about Okami after finishing it? I was kind of disappointed that it seemed to drag on forever with lots of padding out and recycling towards the end. If they do decide to make a sequel, I hope they'll make it much shorter.

  • slivir #51 4 years ago

    Actually I liked the length. I thought it was spot-on.

    But as for a sequel, why would we want one from Capcom anyway? Clover won't be responsible for it since they're not around anymore.
    Edited by 1 at 29/07/08 @ 14:40

  • Oh-Bollox #52 4 years ago

    "It's a whole lot different that Metal Gear which always makes sense"

    Thanks to that, I am now literally crying with laughter.

  • Death-of-Imagination #53 4 years ago

    Game fails to sell after not marketing it in any significant way. Shock horror.

    If we rounded up the fucktarded execs / marketing cretins and other feckless muppets that propagate this industry (and cripple it with their general ineptitude and collossal salaries) then threw them in a pit of angry bears, it would be good start. A cool side-effect of which is there would be plenty of cash to go round for the people that actually do the work.

    ... I know i know; who will be there to play golf, snort the coke, surf for porn, misdirect the company.... and other equally valid contributions.

    v.grrr today :)

  • Bluetribe #54 4 years ago

    Don't care for a sequel without the original dev team, I'm sure Platinum Games will eventually come with some quality action-adventure title that could surpass Okami (actually I'd rather see a new horror survival game done by Mikami).

  • adfegg #55 4 years ago

    It's news to me that the possibility of a sequel ever existed. In fact, I hope it never happens. Okami was a completely self-contained work of art - it would be like penning a sequel to Beowulf! If they do make a sequel, I won't buy it.

  • m0thr4 #56 4 years ago

    I get the feeling Mr VP (Vagient Prick?) of strategic planning Christian Svensson told the shareholders Okami would be a smash hit and is now looking around for people to cushion his fall. He's starting with us for failing to do his marketing for him.

  • FFS #57 4 years ago

    Jesus wept.

    How's about you








    ADVERTISE

    THE

    FUCKING

    GAME.














    If it's good enough for all of the drivel-ware that I see on the TV as well as Nintendo's titles like Wii Fit, Mario, Mario Kart, Smash Bros which sell to core gamers themselves anyway but to casuals because of the ads, think what you'll get done. The same goes for Zack & Wiki - another one of the Wii's very few top non-1st party titles and where the hell are the adverts?

    Clover created a brilliant game, it's had a 2nd birth on a system perfect for it (although sadly not exactly a 100% port by Ready at Dawn) - but nevertheless still brilliant), and why isn't it selling in the bucket-loads? BECAUSE NO-ONE KNOWS THAT IT EXISTS, YOU ABSOLUTE MORONS.

    Give me Okami 2, and make sure that you advertise it.

  • VMerken #58 4 years ago

    I said back when the Okami was being previewed that it - being heavy on japanese folklore - was going to require a little work from the western players to make them suspend disbelief. The game doesn't ease you into the folklore, you need to want to "get into it". So in my opinion, it definitely needed advertising or something showing the players one way to be immersed. And I still think it does.

    Add to that the fact that combat is ridiculously easy in the PS2 version (did they fix it in the Wii version?) and things get more difficult still as players abandon Okami at a rather early stage.

    Which is a pity, because once you get past the initial barrier, you're really getting to play something awesome here. So awesome that for once I didn't care about stat- or game-breaking, only about seeing the story to its end and getting all the dialogue snippets.

    Of course, then God Hand came out. Come on, Platinum Games, show us some new brilliance soon :).

  • Ryze #59 4 years ago

    I'll go buy the PS2 version asap, then. I'll get the Wii version when I get a Wii.

    Any suggestions on where is best to buy it from?

  • cam_guin #60 4 years ago

    video game companies need to branch out - every other industry is spreading its wings and exercising creativity to add as much value and exposure to their titles. I work in advertising sales and I have to try and convince video games companies to try something a little more exciting - and its like trying to get blood out of a stone. the UK industry is exceptionally blinkered it seems to me - Nintendo whipped off the headress, and whaddya know? sales up by a third.

  • FFS #61 4 years ago

    Yes, if there's one thing that Nintendo can do right these days, it's advertising.

  • Ryze #62 4 years ago

    I'm with you. Video game ads are mainly pathetic - apart from the Wii & DS ones, which convey EXACTLY the right image to sell even 'weird' games like Warioware, Trauma Centre and Paper Mario.

    I find myself cursing these publishers. The GTA IV ads - LIMITED. Where's the story? The trailer footage? It didn't make it to the TV ads in any way shape or form - BBC News at 6 showed more of the trailer and story footage to the public than R* or M$ did.

    How can they allow this to happen when they're expecting the title to be a system seller?

    The PSP adverts - ATROCIOUS. They've not even shown anyone what the PSP can do and why you should buy one or keep buying games - after 3-4 YEARS.

    Same with Xbox live. There are tonnes of people who have seen 5 years worth of xbox live ads who still don't understand what it's all about and what you can actually do with it. Silly.

    and the less said about the PS3 adverts, the better. Fucking PATHETIC.

    Nintendo deserve the crown despite my reservations with the platform, BECAUSE THEY'RE DOING THEIR JOBS EFFECTIVELY. The other s aren't, and are making massive and arrogant assumptions that every member of the public should self-educate about what a modern day games console is, and what the games are like to play.

    When you do that, you'll get the general public getting more of an impression from Keith Vaz and the Daily Mail, and your audience will mainly consist of... Geeks and Otaku.

  • Ryze #63 4 years ago

    I just talked about the bad adverts - 99% of games TV and mass media promotion and info ... doesn't appear to even exist.

    *shakes head*
    Edited by 1 at 31/07/08 @ 00:45

  • Ryze #64 4 years ago

    The only Okami adverts I've seen ... were on fucking GAMESPOT. What a fucking joke. How about a 15 - 20 sec advert on Channel 4?

    Can't be all that expensive. Too expensive? Then try FILM 4. You'll get the right audience on there that you want to convert.

    What a sad state of affairs.

  • FFS #65 4 years ago

    I was thinking of selling my Wii and getting a 360 this morning. Never thought it'd come to this.

    Pick up a PS2 and get Okami for that instead - better version anyway, what with the beautiful credits and epilogue.