Capcom released their financial results for the fiscal year ended March 31, revealing the performances of some the company’s biggest titles of the year.
Resident Evil 7: biohazard released worldwide on January 24, 2017, and as of March 31 it has moved 3.5 million in global shipment, shy of its 4 million target.
Also shy of its target was Monster Hunter XX, which moved 1.7 million units as of March 31. Capcom. If you recall, back in October Capcom announced that it expected to see Monster Hunter XX sell in the 2 million unit range.
The biggest disappointment likely goes to Dead Rising 4, which was also expected to be a two million-seller, but it failed to reach a million.
Capcom also shared their outlook on what’s next for the company, including VR, mobile contents, focus on expanding digital download sales, and leverage for its popular IP such as the Monster Hunter series and numerous others:
“Looking forward, the market environment is changing rapidly with the emergence of new business areas in VR (virtual reality) and AR (augmented reality) as well as further increases in mobile contents and the spread of online games. In addition, Nintendo Switch, a new home video game console, was released in March 2017.
Amidst such structural changes to the industry, the Company will endeavor to increase profitability through business management based on selection and concentration. This will include the allocation of development resources in accordance with the Company’s medium-term strategic map to priority divisions, such as home video game software development, which is its core competence, and mobile contents.
In addition to package game sales, the Company will focus its efforts on expanding digital download sales, which promise higher profitability, in order to diversify its profit structure. The Company will also endeavor to further cultivate existing customers while developing new customers by enhancing its product line-up, which includes releasing distribution titles as well as re-releasing or remaking popular titles from its back catalog.
Holding a significant number of popular IP, such as Monster Hunter and numerous others, the Company will strive to leverage these valuable assets to generate synergy and break through the current situation of its online games and mobile contents businesses. At the same time, the Company will promote the development of appealing titles in-step with market trends, through the development, marketing and operations departments working as one. Additionally, it will continue to build a value chain, seeking to increase customer satisfaction through the timely provision of additional contents.
Expansion of sales in large overseas markets is essential for the achievement of the Company’s growth scenario. The Company is one of the world’s leading contents holders with many brands that are popular overseas including Resident Evil and Street Fighter, both of which have been made into Hollywood films. The Company will promote aggressive global strategies by leveraging these strengths, coordinating with its overseas subsidiaries in releasing software that meet overseas customer demands and increasing its presence through the popularization of the “Capcom Brand.”
Meanwhile, the pachinko & pachislo market faces some uncertainty due to the recent revision in the pachislo model certification method and the strengthening of applicable regulations. However, the Company will expeditiously develop compliant equipment and promote business flexibly to enable it to respond promptly to changes in the industry.
As home video game consoles and smart devices continue to advance, offering support for features such as VR and high-definition 4K resolution, enhancing development infrastructure will be crucial to the development of video game software suitable for game consoles with sophisticated functions while satisfying diverse customer needs.
Published: Apr 27, 2017 05:00 am