Don't expect more updated versions of classic Capcom fighting games
"It seems the novelty of such projects is wearing off."
Don't expect more updated versions of classic Capcom fighting games, the publisher has said.
Following high definition reworks of the likes of Street Fighter 2, Street Fighter 3, Marvel vs. Capcom, Marvel vs. Capcom 2, Marvel Super Heroes, Darkstalkers and Puzzle Fighter, Capcom will "slow down" on development of similar projects.
Why? Because of a drop-off in sales.
"Sadly, I think we've probably run the course of feasible titles here given the drop-off we've seen in sales with each new introduction," Capcom USA boss Christian Svensson wrote on the Capcom Unity website.
"It seems the novelty of such projects is wearing off even within just the fighting game community based upon the sales data of our last two launches. That said, we have been quite prolific in these areas (despite the assertion above that we haven't) and it's probably time for us to slow down anyway."
Svensson was responding to a thread titled "Capcom should talk to SNK, Sega, and EA", in which "gohan16ken" complained about the apparent struggles Capcom has experienced with the digital re-release of its back catalogue of games in comparison to the likes of Sega and SNK, which have re-released several of their old games on the Virtual Console, PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade.
Svensson explained the complicated process Capcom must go through to re-release PlayStation 1, PS2 and PSP games on the PSN.
"There are three filters that must be passed in order for this to happen," he said. "First, Sony has to verify that the title in question works in their emulators (not all do). Second, all IP clearances must be had. That is to say, we must have digital distribution rights in the original agreements with middleware, voice actors, musical score, etc. Third, there must be an existing licence in force in the case of something that uses non-Capcom IP (e.g. SNK, Marvel, Xmen) and also no legacy IP issues.
"At times in the past teams have infringed upon other third party IP and new IP sweeps must be conducted to ensure that this is not the case in a given version. Once all three points are met, Sony takes control and it is up to them when and how it releases (though they do coordinate with us)."
More likely is the digital release of games that were previously disc-based - say Super Street Fighter 4, Street Fighter x Tekken or Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3. Doing this on Xbox 360 is "easy" Svensson said. On PS3 it's more difficult, "however it's being done as a matter of the planned development on all forthcoming titles".
"So in short, what we can bring to you in these forms, we are doing so," Svensson added. "That doesn't mean EVERYTHING will show up and to set expectations, I think you should prepare yourself that not every fighting game we've made will receive even one of these treatments.
"I do not believe that conversations with SNK, EA, Sega or anyone else is going to alter these issues."
That's that then.