Japanese Game Developer Capcom’s Diversification Strategy

Capcom, a well-known Japanese game developer responsible for popular titles like Resident Evil, Marvel vs. Capcom, and Street Fighter, is expanding its reach beyond gaming. At the Tokyo Game Show in Chiba, Japan, Capcom’s chief operating officer Haruhiro Tsujimoto explained the company’s strength in selling both new and old game titles. Tsujimoto emphasized that their ability to release new games to already existing franchises showcases their strong and high-quality catalog.

However, Capcom also employs a strategy of releasing sequels to older games, such as their recent release of Dragon’s Dogma after over 10 years. Tsujimoto believes this approach contributes to the continued sales of their established brands.

Capcom’s Success in the Film Industry

Capcom has a history of venturing into the film industry, with movies based on their games like Street Fighter and Resident Evil. Tsujimoto highlighted Capcom’s early collaboration between the game and cinema businesses, which resulted in mutually beneficial outcomes. When a game is made into a movie, both the game and the movie tend to sell well.

Capcom’s Expansion into Film Production

With a desire to further explore the film industry, Capcom will establish Capcom Pictures in Hollywood in 2022. This film production company aims to produce more movies, allowing Capcom to evolve and expand its digital entertainment offerings. Their strategy involves developing both game production and film production, fostering competition and collaboration between the two sectors.

Although generative artificial intelligence (AI) is a prominent technology in various industries, its integration into game development may not happen in the near future. Tsujimoto stated that integrating AI in game development poses challenges and requires addressing numerous issues before implementation.

Similarly, Hisashi Koinuma, president and chief operating officer of Koei Tecmo Games, expressed a similar view, emphasizing that research and study are necessary to understand the potential benefits and limitations of generative AI in game production.

Despite this cautious approach, Tsujimoto acknowledged the potential uses of generative AI in improving workforce efficiency and development. Capcom is currently researching its application in game development, with a focus on enhancing efficiency through better personnel allocation while utilizing generative AI.