Capcom’s May Have Commented Positively On Mega Man’s Future, But It Is No Different Than Last Year

In a recent investor interview, Capcom issued a statement that has sparked excitement among Mega Man fans. The company expressed intentions to take the Mega Man IP more seriously, committing to more regular game releases within the franchise. However, it is important to approach this newfound optimism with caution.

Mega Man is one of our highly-valued IPs and we are considering how to create games for it on an ongoing basis.” 

The language used in this latest statement about Mega Man is strikingly similar to that of last year’s investor interview by Capcom. Despite those words, we never saw any substantial developments. This repetition of non-committal corporate jargon and the echoing of similar sentiments about their commitment to the franchise certainly leave a bad taste.

Mega Man is one of Capcom’s historic IPs and is loved by fans, and as such we want to take care in how we develop the series. We are considering how to approach the production of new entries in the series, which requires numerous factors, including the development of a solid concept, ideas and gameplay, etc.,” said Capcom last year. 

Mega Man, launched in 1987, became Capcom’s flagship series with numerous successful sequels and spin-offs. However, by the late 2000s, the series faded, and projects like Mega Man Legends 3 were canceled due to changing market dynamics.

Despite Mega Man’s decline, Capcom saw significant revenue growth, driven by franchises like Resident Evil and Monster Hunter. For the 2023-2024 fiscal year, Capcom reported record-high net sales of ¥152.41 billion, bolstered by Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Street Fighter 6.

Last year, Capcom stock hit an all-time high after the Resident Evil 4 remake’s release. Given its success with current strategies, it’s unlikely Capcom will revive Mega Man soon. The recent statement seems aimed at keeping a dead IP alive without developing new games.

Core Competency And The Strategic Success Of Capcom

Capcom’s approach to Mega Man in the past was flawed, with low budgets and poor marketing, leading to disappointing sales. It is to be noted that Monster Hunter was revived after being nearly dead outside Asia, showing Mega Man could thrive with proper attention. However, this seems unlikely at the moment.

Recently the Producer of Capcom’s famous franchise Marvel vs Capcom gave a positive statement on the future of the franchise and we hope to see a clearer statement like this one on Mega Man too.