Deep Down worldwide release not yet decided, as Capcom addresses criticism over no female characters

Capcom has reiterated that a US and Europe release for its upcoming PlayStation 4 adventure Deep Down has not yet been decided, and addressed criticism that the game will not feature playable female characters.

Gematsu published a report earlier this week, from Sony Japan's PS4 Lab series, which said players could only be male for the purposes of story. Following criticism of the choice, producer Kazunori Sugiura has explained the decision on Facebook (translated once again by Gematsu), saying that there is only one protagonist in the game.

"From our overseas firm, there was big misconception in an article claiming that there were 12 main characters in Deep Down, all of them male," Sugiura said.

"As the person in charge on the development side, I'd like to explain the matter," he continued. "There is one male main character in Deep Down. The story is being developed around him and his surrounding Ravens comrades."

Continuing, Sugiura mentioned that a release for the title outside of Japan has still not been determined. "At the moment, an overseas release hasn't been decided, but I am grateful for the attention Deep Down is receiving."

The specifics of Deep Down are still relatively unknown. The game was unveiled alongside the PlayStation itself last year, and runs on Capcom's new Panta Rhei engine. There's more than a bit of a hint of Dark Souls about it, but the game is also set in 2094 New York and will be free-to-play.

A beta for the game was expected to begin around the time the PlayStation 4 launches in Japan on February 22, but this appears to have been delayed.

Sugiura concludes his post by asking us to look out for more information on Deep Down in the future.