Gather ’round, gaming enthusiasts, because Capcom has some ambitious plans that might just involve a few “core IPs” sprouting wings—or something like that. According to Haruhiro Tsujimoto, the president and COO of Capcom, this isn’t just a casual stroll through their game catalog. Nope, it’s a full-on strategy dissection revealed in a thrilling 86-page corporate report. Who said business reports couldn’t be nail-biters?
Making Some Noise in the Core IP League
So, what exactly makes an IP “core”? Apparently, having monsters, zombies, or street fighters galore! Tsujimoto points out that Resident Evil, Monster Hunter, and Street Fighter sit atop their throne, dubbed the ‘core IPs.’ These beloved franchises are like the head cheerleaders of Capcom’s gaming squad, boasting a staggering 170 million, 120 million, and 56 million units sold, respectively. In other words, they’re the popular kids that everyone wants to sit next to at lunch.
To achieve this lofty goal of 100 million game sales per year—because who wouldn’t want to sell an absurd number of games annually?—Capcom needs to roll up its sleeves and give some of its other franchises like Mega Man, Devil May Cry, and Ace Attorney a very attractive glow-up. Yes, the underdogs are getting their moment in the spotlight!
How to Become a Core IP: The Capcom Playbook
According to Tsujimoto, “At Capcom, we aim to sustain our KPI of 10% or better annual operating profit growth.” Now, isn’t that a mouthful? That’s corporate lingo for “Let’s make money, folks!” And to stir the profitability pot, the company is committed to systematically resolving business challenges, one by one. Kind of sounds like an epic RPG, doesn’t it?
To enhance those comforting dollar signs, Capcom has decided to shift focus toward lesser-known series that have potential and giving them a ‘core’ makeover. “We own a wealth of globally popular brands,” Tsujimoto enthusiastically states. “By expanding our user base through new releases, remakes, and ports, we plan to morph these series into core IPs through some good ol’ brand empowerment!” What’s better than a house of cards? A full-blown theme park!
Building the Dream Team (and a New Office)
But wait, there’s more! Capcom isn’t just throwing some remakes into the blender for a quick smoothie. They’re also busy strengthening their superhero team of in-house developers, ensuring they have the brightest minds. “For the past three years, we’ve prioritized the enhancement of our human capital,” Tsujimoto rhapsodizes. That means training and recruiting fresh talent. Because what’s better than having nerdy geniuses creating games? Having MORE nerdy geniuses!
In a bid for greater gaming glory, Capcom has consolidated its game development in one location—Osaka—or at least it did. Now there’s a shiny plan for a new development facility right next door, complete with dreams of future expansion. This is all slated for completion in 2027. So, mark those calendars; Capcom is coming in hot!
Comparing Sales Like a True Economist
And for those keen on sales stats, let’s break it down: while Resident Evil reigns supreme, the legendary blue robot Mega Man has moved a respectable 43 million units since 1987. Devil May Cry, on the other hand, has sold 33 million units since its inception in 2001, while Ace Attorney lags a bit with 13 million. Clearly, it’s a competitive arena—but Capcom is on the warpath to change that.
Long story short, the push for Mega Man, Devil May Cry, and Ace Attorney to join the elite core-IP club is all about nurturing those franchises into the gaming icons they were destined to be. Buckle up, because Capcom’s plan could be one wild ride to friendship, profits, and loyal fans!
