Putting RE4 on PS2 may unravel the best of Capcom

Capcom developer revolt

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Syobo Online reports that there are major management problems going on over at Capcom...To begin with, Atsushi Inaba, Shinji Mikami, and Hideki Kayima, who's credit involves titles such as Resident Evil, Devil May Cry, Viewtiful Joe, Steel Battalion, Okami, and Viewtiful Joe, have all formed Clover Studio, a new subsidiary of Capcom, which is said to be an outlet, for more development freedom. On top of that, Syobo Online is suggesting that after Resident Evil 4 on the GameCube is complete, the team that is developing the game will be leaving Capcom Production Studio 4. The recently announced PlayStation 2 version will be handed to another team, Mikami will begin work at Clover, and apparently, the development team will leave Capcom, do to conflicts with the upper management, such as their game, being ported to the PlayStation 2, against their own will. This will of course be a huge loss of talent, and blow to Capcom Production Studio 4 if true. We can only hope that the team does not leave the gaming industry, and continues to work on mind blowing videogames, if these rumors do come true. We also hope that the management problems at Capcom can soon be resolved.

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Furthermore, if the PS2 team is not the team making RE4 GC, then there's no way in hell I have high hopes for it. Notably, Nintendo's been picking up ex-Capcom (among other companies) epmployees for a while now. THey might get a few.

Craziness. If they do break off from capcom I think we will still see them making great games. Serves capcom right for the PS2 release announcement. Most people would rather play it on the gamecube than the ps2 anyway.

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Originally Posted by kobylka68

Craziness. If they do break off from capcom I think we will still see them making great games. Serves capcom right for the PS2 release announcement. Most people would rather play it on the gamecube than the ps2 anyway.

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Frankly, if Mikami Shinji as his entire team have NOTHING to do with the PS2 port (something not so surprising as it's beens aid Mikami Shinji opposed such a port), it is probably not wise to have very high expectations for the PS2 port.

I'd also hate to see my favorite game company totally messed up though. =X

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Originally Posted by jethrek

Frankly, if Mikami Shinji as his entire team have NOTHING to do with the PS2 port (something not so surprising as it's beens aid Mikami Shinji opposed such a port), it is probably not wise to have very high expectations for the PS2 port.

I'd also hate to see my favorite game company totally messed up though. =X

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Capcom has screwed themselves over. If the port happens then they lose one of their best teams of developers, a shitty port gets released and the company loses money. If it doesn't then they may have sony knocking on the door and a bunch of pissed off PS2 fans who wanted the game and again lose support and money.

Everyone should just buy the Gamecube version when it comes out. Play it the way it was made to be played.

it wouldn't be suprising if this where true. it shows that there is still integrity in the industry, and a wish to make games for their own sake. It might be bullshit though, but if its not then, that's incredible.

Most ports are developed by different companies, just like SUMO did the Xbox port of OutRun2. I believe the PlayStation2 port won't have any issues or problems, though Capcom losing such a talented staff would end up being catastrophic for the company, especially considering their current status.

Haha, I recall Shinji Mikami stating that he would cut his wrists if BioHazard4 was ported to the PlayStation2.

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Originally Posted by Mushiki

Most ports are developed by different companies, just like SUMO did the Xbox port of OutRun2. I believe the PlayStation2 port won't have any issues or problems, though Capcom losing such a talented staff would end up being catastrophic for the company, especially considering their current status.

Haha, I recall Shinji Mikami stating that he would cut his wrists if BioHazard4 was ported to the PlayStation2.

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An Outrun 2 is not an RE4 though. RE 4 is easily among the top 3 most impressive games this generation for a variety of reasons.

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Originally Posted by kobylka68

Capcom has screwed themselves over. If the port happens then they lose one of their best teams of developers, a shitty port gets released and the company loses money. If it doesn't then they may have sony knocking on the door and a bunch of pissed off PS2 fans who wanted the game and again lose support and money.

Everyone should just buy the Gamecube version when it comes out. Play it the way it was made to be played.

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its true - you can pick up a used gamecube for just over the price of a brand new game. it really is worth it.

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Originally Posted by Mushiki

Most ports are developed by different companies, just like SUMO did the Xbox port of OutRun2. I believe the PlayStation2 port won't have any issues or problems, though Capcom losing such a talented staff would end up being catastrophic for the company, especially considering their current status.

Haha, I recall Shinji Mikami stating that he would cut his wrists if BioHazard4 was ported to the PlayStation2.

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but you must admit - this does say alot about how such people regard Sony and the PS2.

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Originally Posted by kobylka68

Most people would rather play it on the gamecube than the ps2 anyway.

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Seeing as "most people" don't have a Gamecube, this is completely false. ;)

I forget the quote, but didn't Mikami say he would "cut off his head" if they released this for PlayStation? This was a while back, when he was trying to assure people it was an exclusive...

Capcom has really taken a drubbing sticking their biggest franchise on the Cube. A dollar says they never do this again.

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Originally Posted by DevilRedeemed

but you must admit - this does say alot about how such people regard Sony and the PS2.

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Indeed, Shinji Mikami seems to love the GameCube, while Tomonobu Itagaki loves the Xbox, and Hideo Kojima loves the PlayStation2.

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Originally Posted by jethrek

An Outrun 2 is not an RE4 though. RE 4 is easily among the top 3 most impressive games this generation for a variety of reasons.

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That is a personal opinion. OutRun2 is Yu Suzuki's sequel to one of the most popular games of all time, extremely awaited, with a wide release on both arcade and Xbox, and with an updated version (OutRun2 SP) being developed as we speak.

With this and selling the rights to the Street Fighter property to Capcom USA... good job Capcom!

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Originally Posted by Nick Goracke

Seeing as "most people" don't have a Gamecube, this is completely false. ;)

I forget the quote, but didn't Mikami say he would "cut off his head" if they released this for PlayStation? This was a while back, when he was trying to assure people it was an exclusive...

Capcom has really taken a drubbing sticking their biggest franchise on the Cube. A dollar says they never do this again.

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The point is, Capcom is not at their best moment financially. One of the reasons for this is the famous "Capcom 5" GameCube-exclusive titles. P.N.03 is a game many of us loved, but marketing-wise it was an amazing failure. After this huge failure, Capcom obviously had to re-plan the whole GameCube-exclusive strategy. Now, Viewtiful Joe is already available for PlayStation2, Killer7 has a planned PlayStation2 release as well, and some days ago, Capcom announced that BioHazard4 would be on PlayStation2 too. Capcom needs money, and they know it, badly. The problem now is, that this new "strategy" might make them lose their most talented employees... pretty complex dilemma.

I even recall a friend of mine going for some interviews at the Capcom offices, they would always be saying that they are currently "not in a good moment" for the enterprise as a whole. Seems like they feel a bit ashamed for their financial status.

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Originally Posted by Mushiki

The point is, Capcom is not at their best moment financially. One of the reasons for this is the famous "Capcom 5" GameCube-exclusive titles. P.N.03 is a game many of us loved, but marketing-wise it was an amazing failure. After this huge failure, Capcom obviously had to re-plan the whole GameCube-exclusive strategy. Now, Viewtiful Joe is already available for PlayStation2, Killer7 has a planned PlayStation2 release as well, and some days ago, Capcom announced that BioHazard4 would be on PlayStation2 too. Capcom needs money, and they know it, badly. The problem now is, that this new "strategy" might make them lose their most talented employees... pretty complex dilemma.

I even recall a friend of mine going for some interviews at the Capcom offices, they would always be saying that they are currently "not in a good moment" for the enterprise as a whole. Seems like they feel a bit ashamed for their financial status.

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But then, this leads to the basic business conundrum of "Why announce Resident Evil 4 for PS2 two months before the launch on GC". Watching more successful companies like Rockstar sugfgests the "Capcom5" being to blame for Capcom's troubles is laughable, they aren't making sound business decisions on any level.

they where strongest when making arcade games.
they should have put some resources into trying to keep the scene alive. They should have worked harder for the hardcore. cult status is always a plus.

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Originally Posted by DevilRedeemed

they where strongest when making arcade games.
they should have put some resources into trying to keep the scene alive. They should have worked harder for the hardcore. cult status is always a plus.

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Viewtiful Joe? Devil May Cry?

Who this generation did more for the hardcore gamer than Capcom?
:crying:

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Originally Posted by jethrek

Viewtiful Joe? Devil May Cry?

Who this generation did more for the hardcore gamer than Capcom?
:crying:

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umm.. ok, I'll concede that they have been making some decent games, but not good fighter and that's all I care about (or a new Final Fight, Makaimura, Strider, etc.) :kekeke: .

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Originally Posted by jethrek

But then, this leads to the basic business conundrum of "Why announce Resident Evil 4 for PS2 two months before the launch on GC". Watching more successful companies like Rockstar sugfgests the "Capcom5" being to blame for Capcom's troubles is laughable, they aren't making sound business decisions on any level.

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Sure, the "Capcom 5" releases are not the only responsibles for their current status, but still, they are an added problem for the company.

Capcom has made several bad decisions in the last 4-5 years, they released some very bad games, relied on the same franchises for too much time, enlarging their life-cycle incredibly. The company had the power in the 90's, mainly because of Street Fighter, but they simply let it go. They made a late transition to 3D, with unexperienced teams working on the field. Capcom simply lacked of any real new material.

Now, due to that past issues, which lead them to their weak financial status, they cannot afford to release any real exclusive titles anymore. They are simply in no position to do so.

I remember that interview where Mikami was complaining about how many PSXs he had to buy just to play his favorite simulation game, and how he was playing the PSXs on their sides just to get the games to run, and how much he hated Sony for making a shitty hardware.

On Sony's behalf, the only company making good new games for it is Konami. But then the Silent Hill games and Metal Gear Solid 2 are both on the superior x-box, leaving the PS2 with only Snake Eater, which isn't even out yet...

But honestly, I can understand not wanting the software on the PS2, just out of respect to fans, and personal integrity. Yeah, not every fan has a GC or x-box, but the fans that only have a PS2 are not smart enough to be accounted for...

Snk>Capcom :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by jethrek

Viewtiful Joe? Devil May Cry?

Who this generation did more for the hardcore gamer than Capcom?
:crying:

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SNKP :kekeke:

I really hope Clover Studios turns into another Treasure. It worked for those guys, and after they left Konami to form Treasure, look at what great games we got. I highly doubt we would have gotten games like Radiant Silvergun had they not formed thier own company. I hope Clover brings back what was good about Capcom back in the day: the fact that it made GOOD games, and not the BS as of late.

This is some bad news...

All these reports about capcom last couple of years really have me worried, after what i've seen happen to other great companies i'd grown to respect, i.e. Sega and SNK.

Capcom really seems like the last true bastion of gameplay that i've come to love...

I have a Gamecube, and really the only reason I have it is for the Resident Evil/Biohazard Series.

Lately the best stuff i've seen coming from one Developer is from Konami... Konami has been delivering fantastic titles...with very few bombs....such as: The Metal Gear Solid Series, The Silent Hill Series, Gradius, and Z.O.E.

I really hope things don't get too much worse for capcom... :oh_no:

Name one original SNKP property. :oh_no:

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Originally Posted by jethrek

Name one original SNKP property. :oh_no:

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- The new characters for Samurai Spirits Zero
- The new characters for King of Fighters 2003
- The original characters for King of Fighters Maximum Impact
- The original characters for Neo-Geo Battle Coliseum (Yuki and Ai)

We should also consider their soundtracks, art, and new gameplay elements.

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Originally Posted by Mushiki

- The new characters for Samurai Spirits Zero
- The new characters for King of Fighters 2003
- The original characters for King of Fighters Maximum Impact
- The original characters for Neo-Geo Battle Coliseum (Yuki and Ai)

We should also consider their soundtracks, art, and new gameplay elements.

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That's not a very good answer. SNKP isn't making new, original games for gamers by any means, they're consolidating thier already great franchises. And who can blame them? That's what the entire industry is doing. No one is taking any risks right now, and the two guys who tried hardest to take risks- Sega and Capcom- seem to be in precarious situations thanks to it.

Love it or hate it, that's just how it is.

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Viewtiful Joe? Devil May Cry?

Who this generation did more for the hardcore gamer than Capcom?

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Cave.

Capcom needs to lay off the retard Kool-Aid. First off, they should have never made those games 'exclusives' to begin with. Despite the fact that some of their talent dislikes the PS2, everyone and their mama KNEW the PS2 was going to be the dominant console force this time around. Second, they also didn't have to completely alienate their hardcore fanbase (cough cough, 2D fighting folk) by basically giving up on the genre after Capcom VS SNK 2, and then 'returning' to the genre with an absolute turd like Capcom Fighting Jam.

They seem to be mired in absolutely clueless decision making. Who the fuck decided to delay the US release of SFA? I'd have to say the 'W' region release of the JP SFA is one of the most hilarious karmic events ever. It was a no-brainer for Capcom...SFA would have come out here in the States and sold quite well, tons of people were waiting for it...as it is now, it won't sell nearly as many since a LOT of people went out and grabbed the import. They could even re-release CvS2 and make some tidy cash...it's hard to find now and the used one sells at stores like EB for $30. What about raiding their back catalogue and releasing some cool-ass retro compilations like Midway has done? Capcom's actually got a hell of a lot more they could offer as far as classics.

If they go under, it will be tragic, but made even more so because they can only blame themselves.

Now only time will tell what will be more expensive: the loss of the creative base or the sales loss of a exclusive game.

This is normal to gaming company.
Yes, it is indeed we hate to see talent people leaving the company, but it's better for them to continue making good and quality game in the long run.

Look at Treasure and you know what i'm talking about. The team is just tired of making sequel to those Konami money-making titles like Gradius, Castlevania and so. That's the main reason they left Konami and established Treasure.

Same team who used to be behind Final Fight, Forgotten Worlds, Street Fighter II left Capcom years ago. We have to face the reality: If you can't do what you want to do, then change the environment.

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Originally Posted by Liquid Snake

This is normal to gaming company.
Yes, it is indeed we hate to see talent people leaving the company, but it's better for them to continue making good and quality game in the long run.

Look at Treasure and you know what i'm talking about. The team is just tired of making sequel to those Konami money-making titles like Gradius, Castlevania and so. That's the main reason they left Konami and established Treasure.

Same team who used to be behind Final Fight, Forgotten Worlds, Street Fighter II left Capcom years ago. We have to face the reality: If you can't do what you want to do, then change the environment.

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I don't think that anyone here disagree with you. It looks to me that people are worried about a possible end of Capcom as a good game company and they franchises got lost or sold away.

capcom already lost all the original street fighter teams, the biohazard team is all they have left. if they leave capcom is dead IMO. when you think about it, all the good capcom games that came out since 2002 were by these guys who might leave. what else is there, maximo?

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Originally Posted by Verythrax

I don't think that anyone here disagree with you. It looks to me that people are worried about a possible end of Capcom as a good game company and they franchises got lost or sold away.

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Thank you.

It's not "Capcom doesn't deserve this" it's "Damn, a company that makes great games could fade away"

As for "exclusives", the only "Capcom 5" that being "exclusive" was especially partisan was Resident Evil 4, the rest were unknown titles it was heavily rumoured SCEA would not have approved anyway (which would be consistent with other things they were kicking off PS2 when the Capcom 5 was announced)

RE4 will do pretty well on GC. It would be better to ride through their previously bad decision, than to buttfuck all this worse. Besides, it's not like they're not churning out the next Outbreak game for PS2 owners even as we speak.

It's not just a business problem, see. Making a non-mikami sihnji directed RE game for PS2 is the logical answer, except every one they try sucks.

I don't see the Capcom 5 as anything near to be a crisis.

Who would buy the RE games (Zero, maybe) on PS2, since it have PS1 compatbility?

PN03 was obscure even before it being considered a weak game.

The only real loss would be a possibility of RE4 not sell well - what like jethek I think it will sell nice on cube, since itself is selling lots of GCs until now, and with the last months releases and the promised Zelda on the horizon.

So when are we going to see "Capcom May Cry"?

Disgruntled employees in a big corporation isn't the first time nor will it be the last. I think Capcom will survive this.

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Originally Posted by Verythrax

I don't see the Capcom 5 as anything near to be a crisis.

Who would buy the RE games (Zero, maybe) on PS2, since it have PS1 compatbility?

PN03 was obscure even before it being considered a weak game.

The only real loss would be a possibility of RE4 not sell well - what like jethek I think it will sell nice on cube, since itself is selling lots of GCs until now, and with the last months releases and the promised Zelda on the horizon.

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I bet you anything Zelda gets cancelled and comes out on their next system.
This kind of thing happens all the time.

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Originally Posted by DevilRedeemed

I bet you anything Zelda gets cancelled and comes out on their next system.
This kind of thing happens all the time.

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I'd gladly take that bet.

Nintendo's managed to get two zeldas out on every console except the SNES.

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Originally Posted by DevilRedeemed

I bet you anything Zelda gets cancelled and comes out on their next system.
This kind of thing happens all the time.

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It sure can happen, but I was talking about the impact of this announcement on GC sales. Much people would not buy a GC for only RE4, but must do it RE4 + a new Zelda.

And GC is planned to stay on market for a lot of time yet.

If you think on positive side, Capcom will have new blood join in and potential people will have chance to create something new.

You never know........

Look at Capcom for the past years....

Yes the late 80's/early 90's is Capcom's golden eras, but later Capcom just rehashes those old titles with endless sequels (street fighter for example)..... :mad:

First, it's a rumor.

Second, the guy is an idiot if he leaves over this. Plus if he really loves working on his RE games then he can't leave the company since Capcom owns the rights.

Third, he's an ass for leaving over this especially considering the financial situation Capcom is in because of their idiotic deal with Nintendo on the RE exclusives anyway.

I'm sure if they explain it to the guy in those terms, and be sure to offer one hell of a bonus, him and the team will stay on board.

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Originally Posted by JHendrix

Third, he's an ass for leaving over this especially considering the financial situation Capcom is in because of their idiotic deal with Nintendo on the RE exclusives anyway.

I'm sure if they explain it to the guy in those terms, and be sure to offer one hell of a bonus, him and the team will stay on board.

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This guy can get work where he want. If he start his own, lots of companies would die to distribute it - even Capcom. Even the Clover studio was a midterm in something in these lines.

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Originally Posted by JHendrix

First, it's a rumor.

Second, the guy is an idiot if he leaves over this. Plus if he really loves working on his RE games then he can't leave the company since Capcom owns the rights.

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Treasure came back and helped Konami to do the Gradius V right? ;)
If he's really an asset to Capcom, they will ask him for help in the future (Also keep in mind that "NIN-NIN"'s company created Street Fighter EX for Capcom) :)

Well this adds a whole new level of realism to the Cube version:

http://www.lik-sang.com/news.php?artc=3521

:kekeke:

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Originally Posted by wasabi

Metal Gear Solid 2 are both on the superior x-box

Yeah, not every fan has a GC or x-box, but the fans that only have a PS2 are not smart enough to be accounted for...

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MGS2 was a "quick port". Lots of slowdown and such. It's not superior in any way. Can't comment on Silent Hill, but personally, I bought them for the X-Box (progressive scan). I just hope they're better, lol.

As for the second point, I know what you're getting at, but Christ, what company in their right mind would want to neglect the "dumb" fans?

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Originally Posted by jethrek

An Outrun 2 is not an RE4 though. RE 4 is easily among the top 3 most impressive games this generation for a variety of reasons.

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No it's not.

In other news, I guess Capcom sold the rights of Street Fighter to Capcom USA. Weird and probably bad news.

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Originally Posted by Tony_N

Well this adds a whole new level of realism to the Cube version:

http://www.lik-sang.com/news.php?artc=3521

:kekeke:

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OK, who the fuck would buy that thing????

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Originally Posted by Verythrax

This guy can get work where he want. If he start his own, lots of companies would die to distribute it - even Capcom. Even the Clover studio was a midterm in something in these lines.

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That doesn't change the fact that he'd be an ass if he did it.

The company, and lots of the people he works with are dependent on Capcom right now. Capcom isn't doing well, partly because of the RE Exclusive deal with Nintendo.

If he can't get over the fact that they have to put the game on PS2 because the company needs the money to stay afloat, and thus keep employing all those people, then he's an asshole.

All because "he doesn't like the PS2" is a real crappy reason to cause all the people you work with, who might have a hard time finding another job, let alone the damage to whatever retirement funds they might be getting through Capcom stock.

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Originally Posted by Nick Goracke

As for the second point, I know what you're getting at, but Christ, what company in their right mind would want to neglect the "dumb" fans?

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These guys are artists

not businessmen.

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Originally Posted by wasabi

These guys are artists

not businessmen.

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One would assume that these "artists" would care about the people around them that they work with.

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Originally Posted by JHendrix

One would assume that these "artists" would care about the people around them that they work with.

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Their bosses?
The only people who have the ability to stifle their artistic freedoms?

The dynamics of such a relationship must constantly be tense and bursting from the pressure of battling egos, eventually mirroring a father/son relationship.

Everyone 'moves out' sooner or later.

Well, except for Drifty.

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Originally Posted by JHendrix

One would assume that these "artists" would care about the people around them that they work with.

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What do you think the people around Treasure think?

Treasure works unlike all the other big companies that seek a "franchise story." They don't make sequels (and we know Ikaruga was not supposed to be a sequel). That's against what the business sense of the industry dictates... So what are they doing? They're making games that THEY like. They're making games on on certain systems (Sin and Punishment, Radiant Silvergun), where the sales would not be so high as a new Metal Gear, but they would all profit for their work.