Capcom: RPGs don't sell well outside of Japan
- Posted December 30th, 2008 at 14:56 EDT by
- 4,287 views
- 41 Comments
While PlayStation 3 owners continue to lash out in regards to the lack of a steady RPG stream on their beloved console, Keiji Inafune, Capcom's head of Research and Development, is going in the opposite direction by proclaiming that RPGs just don't sell well enough outside of Japan to make them worth committing to. In a recent interview with 1up.com, Inafune was asked if Capcom had any plans on bringing back the Breath of Fire franchise, his answer, of course, was something we didn't particularly want to hear.
"There are currently no plans on making a new Breath of Fire game," Inafune says. "Apart from that, regarding RPG titles, they are very popular in Japan, but only certain RPG titles sell so Capcom doesn't really need to even consider making these titles as an option. There's a low possibility that we'll be making one in the near future."
While this is disheartening, Inafune adds, "But, I realize that there are fans of the series, and we have staff who are interested so it's not out of the question. We actually have a lot of titles in a similar situation, where there's an interest by users and our staff, but where we just don't have the resources. Square Enix and Namco Bandai have 1,200 development staff but we only have 600. There's a lot more that we want to do, titles that would probably sell well if we made them, but we just don't have enough staff."
When looking at exclusive RPGs such as Valkyria Chronicles, we understand his perspective on the entire situation. However, that doesn't mean we still don't want to see further additions to great franchises of the past. Sure, the sales may not be in the millions right away, but they'll climb slowly, right?
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Girugamesh |
Shidousha- 3:45pm GMT - December 30th, 2008
- 3
@1
No, the guy DOES know what he's talking about. If you read the article, he says that CERTAIN RPG'S SELL, obviously referring to Square Enix and Final Fantasy, but then he says that Capcom shouldn't even attempt because it's not their JRPG's that sell well.
Valkyria Chronicles is amazing, I'm having a blast literally right this minute, I wish that preppy Americans would get over themselves and go buy good games instead of trying to get only hardcore multiplayer spazzfests.
It's like no one can appreciate art nowadays. -
Axe99
- 3:54pm GMT - December 30th, 2008
- 4
I hear ya Girugamesh - you hear a lot of folk complaining about the lack of JRPGs, but where were they when Valkyria was released? There may still be hope - Valkyria was released right in the middle of a lot of high-profile releases (and also had Fallout 3 to compete with, which is an RPG which I hear has sold more than a couple of copies!) - it may be that Valkyria was on people's lists, but below Fallout/Resistance/CoD:WaW and the like. I'm in that camp, I didn't buy it on release, but am looking forward to picking it up in the next week :).
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PS3-The Ultimate Machine
- 3:54pm GMT - December 30th, 2008
- 5
Capcom should really fire this guy,all he talks about is making money without giving a &%$$# about the loyal fans who made capcom so great in the first place,sure focusing on just money is good for now,but a couple of years down the road,Capcom might not have the same image they have right now,becuz of their attitude towards fans.
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psyra |
PSYRA- 3:57pm GMT - December 30th, 2008
- 6
at #3 yeah i know h said that but, then again isnt it SE the major supplier of RPGs and their games sell well isnt it?
so its not SOME GAMES OR CERTAIN GAMES, its most of the SE rpgs sell well, and he doesnt know cuz he says "Capcom doesn't really need to even consider making these titles as an option." and the he says "There's a low possibility that we'll be making one in the near future." First he says no, then he says ok well may be. if there is a chance that they make one is cuz they know there is a chance for it sell well.
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Dragon-slayer87 |
Dragon-Slayer87- 4:13pm GMT - December 30th, 2008
- 7
#3
Your right.. I just bought VC and it's not just a game, it's art :D
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stovich |
TasteLikeBurning- 4:23pm GMT - December 30th, 2008
- 8
Well maybe they don't sell we'll outside Japan because the majority of them have been on the 360. Ever thought of that one, Inafune? This guy is a numb-nut if he can't see what's been happening. Ms is just ponying up the $ to keep JRPGs off PS3s outside of Japan to keep their "console" on top. Why are people in this industry being so obtuse? Maybe I should give Folklore another try. I didn't hate it, but I've had notions against RPGs in general since I could remember. I got Oblivion GOTY edition sitting on my shelf, waiting to be experienced. Would that be an appropriate rpg to cut my teeth on?
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Alpha2
- 4:26pm GMT - December 30th, 2008
- 9
I'll say it again. if he's only refering to his own company's products than he has no right to make a blanket statment. And the title of this new post only further suggests the inaccuracy of the statment. His FULL statement makes more sense but the proble here is no one's going to hear that part because they're so pissed off that he's condeming ALL RPGs in the title.
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A_Ninja |
Arabia_Ninja- 4:45pm GMT - December 30th, 2008
- 10
its not because Valkyria Chronicles didnt sell wll means RPG not wanted outside Japan ,,,, its because the pepole in SEGA chosen the wrong time to release Valkyria Chronicles ... november & october was the most crowded months in history of videogames .... SEGA shoud'v released Valkyria Chronicles befor October to 'gain money" ... and Capcom ... we need ur viewtiful joe , Onimusha & Dino Crisis more than ur RPGs ... maybe thats why ur RPGs didnt sell well
**sorry 4 the earlier mistake ;) **
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solbaid |
Solbaid- 5:26pm GMT - December 30th, 2008
- 13
@10 Capcom didn't make VC that was Sega. And I miss the old JRPGs as well but I love VC just short on money to buy it atm. Oh and another thing release another Mega Man Legends type game or Breath of Fire games like 3 and 4 not that bs Dragon Fire or w/e and you guys would have money coming in but no your sticking with SF and RE.
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Funeralfog |
blksabbath- 5:44pm GMT - December 30th, 2008
- 14
well most rpg's these days really suck so that's probably the problem
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DarkNemesis
- 6:54pm GMT - December 30th, 2008
- 20
RPG games in general are getting repetative and cliche anyway.Enough is enough with the traditional settings and tired old turn based fighting.I like my combat to be the same as Dark Cloud and the Tales series.They need to do something to re-invent the RPG gene,because it's boring right now.That's why FFVII is not only the greatest RPG game,but had the most success because it was unique and original.
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NirvanaFr3ak |
NirvanaFreak- 7:34pm GMT - December 30th, 2008
- 21
Lol tell that to SE. They'l just ROFLCOPTER at his face and call him a a lv 1 noob.
At #20. AM a huge fan of ff7 but lol...what? Unique and original? It's called ff7!!.
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RagingStorm |
RagingStormX- 7:58pm GMT - December 30th, 2008
- 22
Pfffff.....talk about a load of hot air. BoF 3 & 4 were amazing....after making the seriese go from spectacular to craptacular with BoF Dragon quater....what do you expect people to do with Capcom's RPGs. You don't see it profitable to make another decent BoF RPG, but you have the resourse and man power to make.....Bionic Commando???? o.O. Ha!...usually I wipe my behind with hundred dollar bills when I want to waste money. I am sure sale figures for RPGs on the PS2 outside of Japan will state otherwise....and trying to say this is specific to the PS3 is just stupid...there are no amazing traditional JRPGs outs for the PS3 as of yet (only 4 good ones and 2 of which are SRPGs.... ES, D3, Folklore and VC [Fallout 3 is not an RPG in my eyes]). Now SJRPG's do not do as well as traditional JRPG's outside of Japan, but they do well enough. I think what he really wants to say is that they won't sell well on the 360 and thats what they will want to use as their lead platform.....lying rat b@stards lol
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DarkNemesis
- 8:17pm GMT - December 30th, 2008
- 23
@Nirvana,the setting and characters were unique in FFVII.There was no RPG like it and there has yet to be one that took as many risks in the genre.
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lordAlucard |
Sympozium_666- 8:27pm GMT - December 30th, 2008
- 24
Valkyria Chronicles was deved by Sega not Capcom or Maybe they did. Darn you your confusing me!! ------------- Well Capcom If wonder why RPGs don't sell outside out in Japan?? maybe it's a evil American Company and a once great Japanese Company with a lack of RPGs due to the technology of thier latest console. all we know is the saviour of Roleplaying games is The Stig (Sony)
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The Master
- 10:49pm GMT - December 30th, 2008
- 26
I'm happy to hear this, I hate crapcom and they just keep falling farther down IMO. Just one more reason not to buy from a company that hates their fans and just wants to turn a quick buck.
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Versus
- 11:46pm GMT - December 30th, 2008
- 27
im with #11 i dont think Valkyria Chronicles was what most ppl were looking for in a RPG. they want something like FF or a new chrono game. i have faith they can sell outside Japan, they just need to puch the genre forward and create something on par with the FFs out there and maybe ppl will start to notice
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shadowrth |
shadowrth- 1:13am GMT - December 31st, 2008
- 28
a few people hit the nail exactly, really bad time, economy, time of year(end), and i think i speak for most americans (myself) it's just not my type of game tried the demo and not for me . i'm looking for the traditional style rpg, NOT STRATEGY IF they should release a breath of fire i would support it if i had to donate plasma to get it. just dont make it like dragon quarter that was terrible.(an rpg, where you have to rush through or game over, and if you turned into a dragon which was what the series is about it accelerated it quicker. ) just horrible the others was awesome
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uknowdino |
uknowdino- 1:23am GMT - December 31st, 2008
- 29
What I take away from this article is that "We (CAPCOM) have decided not to make rpg's because outside of japan because everyone outside of japan owns xbox 360 which is dedicated to first and third person shooters." If only we could replace ken or ryu's hadoken with a chainsaw gun we could sell an extra 1.5 million units.
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chomperbull
- 2:59am GMT - December 31st, 2008
- 30
when baldurs gate 3 comes out well see if rpg's sell part 2 for the ps2 came out in 2003 and it still cost $40 used and back then it was $40 new
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Anim3Fr33K |
Anim3Fr33K- 3:34am GMT - December 31st, 2008
- 31
I dont see why VC didnt sell so well its an outstanding game.
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supamariobrotha |
supamariobrotha- 4:17am GMT - December 31st, 2008
- 32
i guess i'll buy folklore then since nothing new is coming soon
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Dragoonlord |
KillZone3000- 12:53pm GMT - December 31st, 2008
- 34
Capcom should be doing a new Breath of Fire....
If Sony just could do a new Legend of Dragoon game my life was complete.
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shmupmaniac
- 1:40pm GMT - December 31st, 2008
- 36
I love rpgs, but so many of the jrpgs lately have a storyline that is formulaic and unoriginal. I loved Eternal Sonata because it has a neat storyline and really awesome gameplay. I wished for more bosses and such but on the whole a very solid rpg and probably the best I've played on the new systems thus far. I'm working my way through Folklore and Tales of Vesperia on the 360 when I'm not playing WoW. I'm not a big fan of the Tales battle system, but meh.
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Ocelot1987 |
METSTM- 4:49pm GMT - December 31st, 2008
- 37
I actually agree with Capcom here because RPGs aren't really what Capcom specializes in. I think Capcom should focus on making Resident Evil, Dead Rising, and Devil May Cry games as good as they can possibly be. Resident Evil is one of my favorite franchises so I'm happy they will work harder on that game.
The lack of RPGs now does stink but knowing that 2 FF titles are coming out makes me not worry so much. RPGs do sell very badly in America, a few of my friends like them and stupid shooters like Halo sell better here. If games aren't online a lot of gamers don't care much for them. I think the RPGs should be left to the masters like Namco, Square, and Bethesda. I wish Fire Emblem would come to the PS3. That would be truly awesome!
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NirvanaFr3ak |
NirvanaFreak- 12:44am GMT - January 1st, 2009
- 39
@3 4#%@!l yeah! I totally second that. A new legend of dragoon. Sequel, prequel, remake w/e. It would be perfect for a sony rpg exclusive. God that game was so sick!
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DarkNemesis
- 6:25pm GMT - January 1st, 2009
- 40
I still don't get what people see in FF nowadays.The series has not been great since FF7.
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quazarblack |
quazarblack- 8:18pm GMT - January 1st, 2009
- 41
how you guys (japanese game companies) start adding english translation to the game so that americans or any non japanese speaking person can purchase it from the stores there. i mean we have bluray disc i know that theres room for this and if its not how an option for the game to dectect that its in a systems thats not japanese and ask in the ps3 owners set system language if they want to download the translation even at a small cost or free (though i really dont think thatll happen)
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