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Capcom can't be bothered with RPGs anymore

2:00 AM on 12.23.2008, Jim Sterling 33 comments

Capcom can't be bothered with RPGs anymore photo
     Role Playing Games

Capcom isn't known for its huge library of RPG titles, but it does have one particular landmark franchise in the genre -- the Breath of Fire series. Unfortunately, Capcom has no interest in revisiting the IP in the near future, or even the far future. In fact, the studio isn't interested in RPGs one bit.

"There are currently no plans on making a new Breath of Fire game," confirms Capcom R&D boss Keiji Inafune. "Apart from that, regarding RPG titles, they are very popular in Japan, but only certain RPG titles sell so Capcom doesn't really need to even consider making these titles as an option."

The main problem, according to Inafune, is that Capcom just doesn't have the spare resources to dedicate to an RPG: "There's a low possibility that we'll be making one in the near future. But, I realize that there are fans of the series, and we have staff who are interested so it's not out of the question. We actually have a lot of titles in a similar situation, where there's an interest by users and our staff, but where we just don't have the resources.

"Square Enix and Namco Bandai have 1,200 development staff but we only have 600. There's a lot more that we want to do, titles that would probably sell well if we made them, but we just don't have enough staff."

If it's any consolation, Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter was rubbish, so I'm not too worried about it.


Next page: More Capcom stories




Trowble's Avatar
Trowble at 12/23/2008 02:26
Dragon Quarter was rubbish, but the others were great.

Didn't they re-release Breath of Fire 3 on PSP, but not in the states for some reason?
Syn's Avatar
Syn at 12/23/2008 02:35
That's a shame. Dragon Quarter was even kind of cool in it's own brutal kind of way.

3 is my favorite though.
Shoop's Avatar
Shoop at 12/23/2008 02:49
Dragon Quarter was a lot better than just 'cool' ;)
lem's Avatar
lem at 12/23/2008 02:57
Number 2 was awesome, one of my most remember games growing up.
Monodi's Avatar
Monodi at 12/23/2008 03:03
I thought Breath of Fire was another one by SquareEnix. I must be insane.

Well anyway, I hope this means a new Ghouls N'Ghosts or a direct port for DS of Super Ghouls N Ghosts.
Funktastic's Avatar
Funktastic at 12/23/2008 03:17
Breath of Fire III is hands down one of my favorite games ever, and the first game I actually "really" played on the PS. V went in a different and unique direction, but the previous 4 were nothing short of awesome!
MultiJoe's Avatar
MultiJoe at 12/23/2008 03:22
That's a shame, numbers three and four were pretty fun games, five was a bit too brutal for my tastes and it didn't have the charm of the previous titles. Hope they change they change their minds at some point in the future, wouldn't mind seeing a current-gen Breath of Fire IV.
Wedge's Avatar
Wedge at 12/23/2008 03:39
Are you daft? Dragon Quarter was one of the most creative and original RPGs in years, easily one of the best on PS2. The combat, setting, and plot were all nothing like any other game has had before or since. You probably didn't understand how it was supposed to be played and got frustrated with the difficulty or something.

And Monodi you're not crazy thinking BoF is from Square, because the original game was published by Squaresoft in the US, but that's the extent of their association with the franchise (that and I suppose some developers of Vagrant Story making the EXCELLENT Dragon Quarter).
Vitamin Awesome's Avatar
Vitamin Awesome at 12/23/2008 04:15
I'm also sure it's a quality vs. quantity issue. Lately, there have been a bunch of good games coming out from capcom, as well as anticipated titles (BC:R, MM9, SFIV, TvC, RE5, SSF2THDROMGWTFBBQ). Dragon Quarter was ok, but It certainly didn't hold up against the other games of the series. What I'd really like to see is another Powerstone.
Mighty183's Avatar
Mighty183 at 12/23/2008 04:21
Breath of Tire....
mrsatan's Avatar
mrsatan at 12/23/2008 05:48
It's not a genre that generates alot of money for them. Sad as it is, especially in these hard times it would seem wise to focus on ones' strengths.
Springsteen's Avatar
Springsteen at 12/23/2008 06:46
Damm it. It's not like it wasn't coming this way, though. It's been a while since Dragon Quarter was released. I really didn't like the game, despite it being original and all. It just seemed to ignore everything que series had implemented so far. If you're going to simply put aside everything that gives character to a franchise, just create a new IP and don't try to cash in on an established name.

By the way, I can definitely see why people love the third game so much, but honestly, Breath of Fire II is so much better, and so awesome on its own it's impressive. Memorable characters, fun and accesible gameplay, along with a beautiful, complex story.

And it had a humanoid horse bigger than an SUV. I love Epona and Aggro, but you can't top that. <3 Rand
Cowboy TTop's Avatar
Cowboy TTop at 12/23/2008 06:48
I'd like to see a few more rpgs from Capcom, but I get the feeling that many developers rarely bother because of Square Enix's dominance of the genre. Like Atlus, Capcom would need to have something special to trump FF, DQ etc.

I think Persona 3 and Valkyria Chronicles are good examples that others can prosper in the rpg genre despite Square. Perhaps what Capcom need is to do a bit of outsourcing again. Maybe a Capcom/Atlus co production rpg would be cool.

Don't forget Capcom, you can still release Namco vs Capcom in the west for us. Dump it onto PSP or something.
Endstiem's Avatar
Endstiem at 12/23/2008 06:52
Am I the only person who has an issue with the same article being featured on a Front Page blog three times within as many days? I think the editors need to cross-reference articles a bit better....
masterninja's Avatar
masterninja at 12/23/2008 07:04
Damn so my hopes for a resident evil/streetfighter RPG gets squashed...
MultiJoe's Avatar
MultiJoe at 12/23/2008 07:20
@ Wedge

Yes, I did find the game too difficult. For some reason I just couldn't find the idea of replaying segements of the game over and over to gain levels that appealing. And I didn't dislike the enviornment because it was gritty and dark, but because it was badly handled. The character design was weak, the dialog was poor and most of the environments were needless large tunnels, offices or labs. Granted the combat was quite different and fairly well designed, and I can see how that would allow some to overlook some of the flaws in over areas, but the game was more of an aquired taste rather than GOTY material.
Cynical Gamer's Avatar
Cynical Gamer at 12/23/2008 07:44
*cough Monster Hunter 3 *cough*
Demtor's Avatar
Demtor at 12/23/2008 08:36
Oh well, I hated the Breath of Fire series for a number of reasons after beating 3 and playing halfway through the first. They make better games in other genres. We have more than enough RPGs as it is. Stick to what you know Capcom.
The-Excel's Avatar
The-Excel at 12/23/2008 08:57
Stick to your strengths I guess.
Conan-san's Avatar
Conan-san at 12/23/2008 09:23
"If it's any consolation, Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter was rubbish, so I'm not too worried about it."

You're a man after my own heart, Jim.
Gen Eric Gui's Avatar
Gen Eric Gui at 12/23/2008 09:30
What Wedge said. I agree with it. Dragon Quarter was amazing.

Breath of Fire is one of my all-time favorite series from Capcom, and hearing that it's unlikely that we will see another one crushes my soul. Although, I remember an interview a while back with Camelot who said they would be willing to work on another if Capcom would let them.

CAPCOM. DO IT. THERE WILL BE PROBLEMS IF YOU DO NOT.
jp007's Avatar
jp007 at 12/23/2008 09:51
I always found it interesting that Capcom took the Dragon Quarter "restart with all your levels and skills" mechanism and implemented it with Dead Rising, where, I think at least, it works very very well...
Slick Icarus II's Avatar
Slick Icarus II at 12/23/2008 09:54
That's a damn shame. Dragon Quarter was one of the best RPG's of the last generation.
silvain's Avatar
silvain at 12/23/2008 10:13
Man, Dragon Quarter was bad. Just think, an RPG that punishes you for exploring. There's a great pitch.
Conan-san's Avatar
Conan-san at 12/23/2008 10:44
The only way Dragon Quarter could be clasified as "Awesome" is if this was a website about sadomasticism.

And as it is not, DQ is hence not awesome.
Gen Eric Gui's Avatar
Gen Eric Gui at 12/23/2008 12:11
How did the game punish you for exploring? I'm not seeing that at all. You were rewarded for exploring just like in every other JRPG.

You were punished for being stupid and playing poorly, which is also no different from most games.

I'm sorry you sucked at playing the game, but that doesn't mean it's bad. I mean, I'm terrible at the Half-Life games, but I can obviously see that they are not bad games.
4knuckleshuffle's Avatar
4knuckleshuffle at 12/23/2008 14:33
I'm gonna commit suicide unless Capcom releases another BoF /blatant lie
welkstar's Avatar
welkstar at 12/23/2008 16:53
Maybe they should stop dumping money into the Battle Network games. Seriously, the first two were good, but now it's just ridiculous.
Syn's Avatar
Syn at 12/23/2008 18:14
@Gen Eric Gui:

He is referring to the fact that your DCounter went up as you walk as well as fight and can give you Game Over. It kind of forces you to advance the story and not look around too much.
jackal27's Avatar
jackal27 at 12/23/2008 19:44
NOOOOOOOO!! (see avatar)
Wedge's Avatar
Wedge at 12/24/2008 00:38
The amount the DCounter went up from just walking around was nominal. It was only having to use it in battles that made a real difference. And the point was to play as far as you could then restart and you would be able to kill more bosses without having to rely on it your next playthrough. I don't think a lot of people understood this mechanic and probably died too much from being afraid to use the Dragon powers or something.

If that had been done with your typical random encounter turn based battle system from most other games, I would have hated it, but the battle system was the best original idea I'd ever seen in a JRPG until maybe Valkria Chronicles now. The fact it was entirely in the "real space" of the world and still managed to be incredibly tactical was amazing.
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