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Inafune explains Capcom's Xbox 360 push

Publisher's managing director says controversial support for Microsoft's console was necessary to find success in the West.

265 Comments

The Xbox 360 is consistently outperformed by the Wii and PlayStation 3 in Capcom's native Japan, but its popularity in the West is undeniable. According to managing executive Keiji Inafune, it was this fact that led Capcom to heavily support Microsoft's console with timed exclusives such as Dead Rising and Lost Planet, as well as multiplatform efforts such as Devil May Cry 4.

Keiji Inafune
Keiji Inafune

"I think I can only get away with saying this now, but I really thought that using the Xbox was the only way to break into overseas markets, and I took that hypothesis all the way," said Inafune. "In the end, I am very happy that I did so." Inafune's comments came by way of an internal interview posted today to the publisher's official Web site.

One of the more dramatic controversies of 2007 was Capcom's decision to abandon PlayStation exclusivity for its Devil May Cry franchise. The move inspired many an irate PS3 owner to flood the publisher's official forums with messages decrying the decision, with more than 10,000 gamers signing an online petition pledging to boycott future Capcom games. In the end, however, the strong blowback was for naught, and DMC4 went on to achieve multiplatinum sales shortly after its release. The game was later released for the PC.

Though Capcom initially released both Dead Rising and Lost Planet as console exclusives for the Xbox 360, they have subsequently been ported to other systems. A year on from its initial showing on the Xbox 360 and PC, Lost Planet was ported to the PS3. Two and a half years after its debut on Microsoft's console, the paired-down Dead Rising: Chop 'Til You Drop arrived for the Wii.

Capcom is currently working on both Dead Rising 2 and Lost Planet 2. However, unlike their predecessors, both games have reportedly been slated from the beginning as multiconsole efforts.

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karnis

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& ugly to

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WalterPeck

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The other side to the story is that console exclusivity does not make game makers more money than if they released them on multiple consoles. Doesn't explain why Dead Rising isn't being ported to the PS3, cough cough.

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romans828_2002

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It's only natural to want to have your games on a system that has the second largest install base of all the current-gen consoles and has the highest install base of the hi-def consoles. It's good business. I know that Sony fans were mad to see DMC on the 360, just as they're mad that FF is making its way on the 360, too, but it has no bearing on the product that they are getting on their system. Now that 360 multiplats are performing better than or equal to their PS3 counterparts, it can also be stated that the 360 has no bearing on the overall quality of the PS3 ports. This is not hate on the PS3. I have always thought that the PS3 is a better quality console (though I own more titles for the 360). I'm just saying that bringing access to the largest number of gamers possible is a move that should be embraced by the gaming community as a whole. It would not bother me in the least if Uncharted came to the 360, just as I wouldn't care if Gears came to the PS3.

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Bigboss232

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than bring us monster hunter for xbox capcom and do it now

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karnis

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what a load of crap

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Azwethinkweiz89

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Kinda sad that 10,000 kids don't want other gamers to enjoy Devil May Cry on other platforms.

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coaltango

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what do they mean by the western audience.i mean cant you buy a ps3 in usa.this is totally crap just because sony is japanese does not mean its not popular in usa.this guy is giving the wrong reason.i think there is some other side to this story.

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glhx2112

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Its hard to make money if you only make games for a system that is on its last leg (P$3). Better to jump onto the better system now, while you can still make a decent profit.

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WalterPeck

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Turns out selling your games on multiple consoles increases sales. Who knew?

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dennishachey

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360 SUCKS

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Semaphore313

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Good to see developers going multiplatform. Glad that silly petition didn't have any real effect.

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TheArcade

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Smart Inafune very smart. Bringing Devil May Cry 4 and Resident Evil over to Xbox 360's turf was the best thing they could have done to please the Western audience. They've exceeded their sales goals in doing so.

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VGA_assassin

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Its good to see developers experimenting with new platforms, its just keeps the experience fresh for players.

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slipknot61174

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I swear I love how companies pander to Microsoft for the money... then come running back home to sweet papa Sony after they've made some sales on their IPs. If anything, they should just make the games multi-console to begin with if they're just gonna end up making watered down ports of 360 titles. So while I applaud them for their choice of putting new titles on BOTH systems, it still gives me slap to the face when I think of how they sold us down the river with games like DMC4, which was a PS3 exclusive. We STILL haven't gotten a port of Dead Rising, and Lost Planet was old as salt when it finally showed up on PS3... no one cared. But, ah well... at least Capcom is putting out some awesome titles that spread the love for PS3 and 360 owners alike. GAMERS UNITE!!!!

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