Capcom's recent success in the gaming industry has sparked curiosity and analysis, with President and COO Haruhiro Tsujimoto crediting a new approach to game development for the company's winning streak. In an interview with Famitsu, Tsujimoto discussed the shift away from individual-driven, or 'auteur-led', projects, which has seemingly transformed Capcom's fortunes.
Tsujimoto explains that the company's new 'team-based approach' involves rebuilding titles from the ground up, even if it means temporary sales declines. This strategy marks a significant departure from the past, when Capcom's success was heavily reliant on specific developers and their ideas. The turning point for the company was the release of Resident Evil 7 in 2017, which marked a shift to first-person gameplay and away from the action-focused, horror-lite trajectory of the franchise.
This new approach has led to a string of critically and financially successful games, including Monster Hunter World, Resident Evil 2 Remake, and Dragon's Dogma 2. However, it's worth noting that many of Capcom's most successful franchises were created by individual auteurs, such as Shinji Mikami and Hideki Kamiya. The departure of these key figures from the company in recent years may have contributed to the need for a shift in development philosophy.
The question remains whether this new approach will continue to yield success, or if Capcom will return to its individual-driven roots. Only time will tell, but for now, Tsujimoto's results speak for themselves. The company's recent achievements are a testament to the power of collaborative development and a departure from the traditional, individual-driven approach.
