"PC gaming's profile growing" at Capcom

Capcom HQ is taking PC gaming increasingly seriously, according to senior VP Christian Svensson.

A new blog post from the Capcom exec explained that a few internal figures had taken it upon themselves in recent years to evangelise for the platform, and that their enthusiasm has proved infectious.

"The push for PC gaming within Capcom over the years has been lead by a select few people. I'm one, putting my money where my mouth is with my forecasts," he explained.

"Similarly our European COO, David Reeves and our head of Capcom Germany, Michael Auer have also been vocal proponents. Takeuchi-san and the MT Framework team have been the biggest supporters on the development side.

"I'm happy to say that those few select people are getting increasing support from a broader array of stakeholders globally."

Svensson explained that PC support wasn't just about adding in another revenue stream and keeping PC customers happy. He argued that it helps the company learn more about new markets too.

"The PC helps teach a company how to be global and how to embrace emerging markets and business models," he said.

"As we continue to expand our businesses in Russia, China, Korea and Brazil, the PC becomes increasingly important as it is the primary platform in those territories.

"In our recent investor relations presentations, we've mentioned that our online efforts are aimed squarely at South Korea and China, focused around the PC.

"We don't get to be successful in that space without a better understanding of the PC market and what it means to operate services rather than shipping discrete products."

He stated that Capcom's US and European offices were now regularly asking the publisher's Japanese HQ to green light PC versions of new releases.

"PC gaming's profile is growing at Capcom," added Svensson.

"Both the US and our European teams continue to request PC SKUs for new titles. We've got more titles coming with PC versions than ever before (e.g. Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, Dead Rising 2: Off the Record, Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition, etc.).

"At green light meetings, our Japanese COO and the head of the consumer and online software business increasingly request a PC version if one is not being proposed at the outset of a project.

"So in short," he concluded, "while we're still not yet where I'd like for us to be, the future is getting better for Capcom fans who are PC gamers all over the world."

It seems this new strategy is already bearing fruit. Last year, Capcom decided to pass on a PC version of Super Street Fighter IV, with producer Yoshinori Ono blaming rampant piracy on the platform.

However, last month it backtracked, announcing a PC version of the Arcade Edition is now in the works.