Hope for the Future or Corporate PR? Capcom Boss & PB Discuss Mega Man's Future

[Turian]

Mega Man does not need better marketing. Ask any gamer if they know who Mega Man is, they will say yes. Then ask them if they bought Mega Man 10, only the Mega Man fans will say yes to that. Mega Man needs a new game that makes him relevant; combined with excellent marketing of this NEW relevant game. He needs a big push of a big AAA title to make him profitable. Mega Man needs his epic trilogy. A cartoon would not hurt, but brand recognition isn't as important as making a quality game that gamers, not just fans, will actually be interested in.

TLDR: Gamers know who Mega Man is, they are just waiting for him to be relevant again.

[Align]

He needs a change of name, is what he needs.

[Megaman-RA]

A change of name? I like Mega Man as it is. It's appropriate and I like it as it always will be. They can't have it be Rockman because I think the name was taken in the US.

[Bolt Crank]

Copyrighting doesn't work like that. Otherwise we wouldn't be able to have Captain Marvels on both the DC side and the Marvel side.

You cant just copyright a "name". Lots of products, companies, characters, etc. in the world share the same name. There's a Power Quest game, a Power Quest band, and a Power Quest software company. And probably other [parasitic bomb] too.

Oh, ah- and lets not forget this

There would be absolutely NO problem if they decided to Rename Mega Man back to Rockman in the west. Only issue would be the fact that he's been called Mega Man for over 24 years.

He was not named Mega Man in the west because of copyrights, or drug references, he was renamed because one guy thought Rockman didnt sound cool to him, and decided to change the name.

[Align]

Anyway, my point is that gamers who know of megaman and don't care for him will continue to do so until they're essentially tricked into playing a megaman game, which won't happen if his name is on the cover.

[Gaia]

Unless you can do the bait + switch trick. I love that, that you can be able to fool the sucka into thinking he's playing Duke Nukem or MechWarrior as he won't have time to look at the X3+ disc as he loads the disc on the computer.  

[Hypershell]

Capcom actually already tried that with Universe, it didn't go well.

Poor Rockman.

[Jericho]

I'm late as [tornado fang] coming to this topic, but Sub pretty much nailed it with his response on page one. Sucks too, because the franchise has potential that Capcom is full and well capable of realizing just going through their stable of games, but as long as Megaman as a franchise is just that game they see as a quick fix to produce and put out there, it'll never hit those high marks.

High pie in the sky time: I'd still kill for a Classic series animation with Ariga on art design or a Zero series animation, just for the background stuff they did in that universe to get some spotlight. Also delicious Nakayama scenery art.

[Hypershell]

you cannot just half-ass it like Capcom did with the MvC3 franchise which was a guaranteed seller no matter what.

Figured I'd comment on this one again.  As it turns out, even UMvC3 isn't as sure-fire as Capcom would like.
http://thesilentchief.com/2011/11/29/ultimate-marvel-vs-capcom-3-sells-less-than-30k-out-of-the-gate-in-na/

In all fairness, from what I can tell VGChartz (the source reference for this article) still isn't registering U.S. sales of the game.  They list Europe and Japan sales combined over the first five weeks are totaling in the ballpark of only 60k.

I guess even the 2D fighter nutcases have their limits to how much crap they'll take when an update to render their old game obsolete is released in the same calendar year.  Serves Capcom right, I'd say.  Trouble is, losing money won't convince them to take risks.

I'm trying to not hate Capcom, I really am (and I certainly believe there are cool people who work for them, including those in the CoA branch that I've met), but I seriously believe they are going downhill.  As long as they continue to release lazy [parasitic bomb], then there's only two possible outcomes:
1. It sells, and because people are satisfied with lazy [parasitic bomb], they continue to make lazy [parasitic bomb].
2. It doesn't sell, and Capcom feeling the pinch, doesn't want to spend the money necessary for decent game development.

This is what I mean when I say that the largest damn fanbase in the world (including our theoretical anime-built new one) isn't going to help any if Capcom doesn't change their attitude.

[OBJECTION MAN]

I'll say I didn't go and get it either, despite how much I did want it. It was a combination of no X and most importantly LEGENDS 3 CANCELLED FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF-

Boycotted that [sonic slicer].

PS: VGcharts is less accurate than a shot in the dark. All their figures are just pulled right out of their ass.

[Solar]

Just wanted to tell Shell that VGChartz is complete BS and UMVC3 has factually sold 100k-250k according to NPD leaks.

More accurately UMVC3 360> CoDMW3 Wii (~100k)>UMVC3 PS3

[Hypershell]

Yeah, failure to count anything in 5 weeks wasn't an encouraging sign.

Well, we can dream, right?

[Cherrykorock]

I think what Capcom should do is look at the well-received and higher selling games throughout the franchise as a whole. From there what they might do is take into consideration why these games sold well, and how they can make that happen again. For example the first Megaman game, at the time it had great graphics, great sound quality and it offered a new way to play a game with unique ideas. Megaman 2, a refined version of the previous game with improvements all over the place. Megaman 3, a (possibly) highly anticipated sequel to what was a great game. But then from 4-6 interest waned because they were making too many too fast without any real relevance between each game. They quickly became irrelevant "Eh another Megaman whatever.".

With Megaman X they reinvented the whole universe refined it further and made it relevant again.They did this by adding new elements that were welcomed while keeping many of the old mechanics which we as fans still enjoyed. And while many of the X games were enjoyable they made the same error as the classic series. Too much too fast.

Going through this kind of process they would (hopefully) be able to take this information and apply it successfully.

They need to think broader than what the Megaman fans want. "How do we make people who have never played Megaman, play Megaman?" Easier said than done obviously. I mean how WOULD you make a wholly new kind of Megaman game but have it still be Megaman? I couldn't tell you but if they really took the time to think about it they could. That's what they're good at. I mean in my eyes they clearly have talented employees. They just need to evaluate the series as a whole, take the best elements of each separate series, and find out how to make it a real profit.

/end ramble

[Gaia]

But if that's the case, it hopefully won't go the way of Bomberman: Act Zero. I mean, yeah, he has to be recognizable, but only to a certain degree. ZX got a free pass due to the Super Sentai theme, but they could try the Skylanders method (Just try to make him a certain way possible, there were a LOT of complaints for Spyro's redesign if I remember). I mean, 10+ possible player characters interchangable on the fly? Collector's Value? Sounds good to me!

[Hypershell]

Mega Man certainly isn't lacking in recent games that harken to his past.  But between Powered Up, MHX, and MM9, something was missing.  They seem to look at what they want to reference (MM1, X1, and MM2 respectively) without bothering to look at the finer elements of the gameplay.  Universe, IMHO, was following that same track, although it's hard to say for sure since we never saw it in its final form.  The NYCC2010 build certainly had a long way to go before it could convince me otherwise, though.

Between those four I'd say MHX came closest to capturing the appeal of its predecessor(s), but even it came up short in the face of the SNES X1, unless you wanted to play as Vile.

[The Great Gonzo]

To me, it seems like Capcom has no real understanding of how to make profits. DLC is a major thing nowadays, for better or worse, but Capcom still thinks that they can continue to sequel-stagnate (as TV Tropes puts it) and rake in just as much money as they did before. (Maybe; I'm not sure about sales figures for every iteration of SF2)

And maybe I'm just incredibly bitter, but I have to wonder if the earthquake really did force them to make UMvC3, or if it was just a convenient excuse. If it's the latter, then it's unlikely they'll ever change.

[Kieran]

Given how little regard I have for Capcom at this point, I'd personally be inclined to think the latter.

[Protoman Blues]

I'll say I didn't go and get it either, despite how much I did want it. It was a combination of no X and most importantly LEGENDS 3 CANCELLED FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF-

Boycotted that [sonic slicer].

I didn't get it cause of the fact that it was a $40 new game that made the original $60 purchase absolutely worthless. Lol, I'm not paying $100 for a game I suck at! The only thing that would've made me go out and buy that game is if Blues was a character.

Yeah, failure to count anything in 5 weeks wasn't an encouraging sign.

Well, we can dream, right?

Heh, dreams are about all we have now! No worries though, as next year I'll see if I can make my cartoon dreams come true! 

And maybe I'm just incredibly bitter, but I have to wonder if the earthquake really did force them to make UMvC3, or if it was just a convenient excuse. If it's the latter, then it's unlikely they'll ever change.

Given how little regard I have for Capcom at this point, I'd personally be inclined to think the latter.

Oh, it's definitely the latter. That's not even a question. Capcom knew exactly what they were doing and what was going to get them more money.

[Reimu Hakurei]

I agree with PB and Hypershell, something needs to be done to make relevant again. I don't want the Mega Man fanbase to fall into brokeness like the Final Fantasy and Sonic fanbase but I will admit I am Sonic, Final Fantasy and a Mega Man fan. Sonic use to be brand name that anybody could respect but SEGA's recent failures with the franchise has caused Sonic to lose any credibility that he had before. It is nice to see that SEGA has learned their lesson somewhat and started making games like Sonic Colors and the recent Sonic Generations that boast fun gameplay and simple storylines. It will be along while before Sonic can will the hearts of all those who had forgotten him over years but at least SEGA is trying to keep him relevant again.

To me, it seems like Capcom has no real understanding of how to make profits. DLC is a major thing nowadays, for better or worse, but Capcom still thinks that they can continue to sequel-stagnate (as TV Tropes puts it) and rake in just as much money as they did before. (Maybe; I'm not sure about sales figures for every iteration of SF2)

And maybe I'm just incredibly bitter, but I have to wonder if the earthquake really did force them to make UMvC3, or if it was just a convenient excuse. If it's the latter, then it's unlikely they'll ever change.

I think what Capcom should do is look at the well-received and higher selling games throughout the franchise as a whole. From there what they might do is take into consideration why these games sold well, and how they can make that happen again. For example the first Megaman game, at the time it had great graphics, great sound quality and it offered a new way to play a game with unique ideas. Megaman 2, a refined version of the previous game with improvements all over the place. Megaman 3, a (possibly) highly anticipated sequel to what was a great game. But then from 4-6 interest waned because they were making too many too fast without any real relevance between each game. They quickly became irrelevant "Eh another Megaman whatever.".

With Megaman X they reinvented the whole universe refined it further and made it relevant again.They did this by adding new elements that were welcomed while keeping many of the old mechanics which we as fans still enjoyed. And while many of the X games were enjoyable they made the same error as the classic series. Too much too fast.

Going through this kind of process they would (hopefully) be able to take this information and apply it successfully.

They need to think broader than what the Megaman fans want. "How do we make people who have never played Megaman, play Megaman?" Easier said than done obviously. I mean how WOULD you make a wholly new kind of Megaman game but have it still be Megaman? I couldn't tell you but if they really took the time to think about it they could. That's what they're good at. I mean in my eyes they clearly have talented employees. They just need to evaluate the series as a whole, take the best elements of each separate series, and find out how to make it a real profit.

/end ramble

I'll admit Capcom does love their sequels even there isn't any real difference between games such as Street Fighter II, Turbo, Super, Champion or whatever but you have to be an obsessed programmer or fan to discover those differences.

[Protoman Blues]

The real difference between what happened to the Sonic fanbase and what's possibly happening to the MM fanbase is how each fanbase has been treated. As far as I know, never before were Sonic fans promised a game they've been waiting 10 years for only to have it cancelled after it had been overhyped. In fact, I can't recall another game company doing that in general.

[Megaman-RA]

Figured I'd comment on this one again.  As it turns out, even UMvC3 isn't as sure-fire as Capcom would like.
http://thesilentchief.com/2011/11/29/ultimate-marvel-vs-capcom-3-sells-less-than-30k-out-of-the-gate-in-na/

In all fairness, from what I can tell VGChartz (the source reference for this article) still isn't registering U.S. sales of the game.  They list Europe and Japan sales combined over the first five weeks are totaling in the ballpark of only 60k.

I guess even the 2D fighter nutcases have their limits to how much crap they'll take when an update to render their old game obsolete is released in the same calendar year.  Serves Capcom right, I'd say.  Trouble is, losing money won't convince them to take risks.

I'm trying to not hate Capcom, I really am (and I certainly believe there are cool people who work for them, including those in the CoA branch that I've met), but I seriously believe they are going downhill.  As long as they continue to release lazy [parasitic bomb], then there's only two possible outcomes:
1. It sells, and because people are satisfied with lazy [parasitic bomb], they continue to make lazy [parasitic bomb].
2. It doesn't sell, and Capcom feeling the pinch, doesn't want to spend the money necessary for decent game development.

This is what I mean when I say that the largest damn fanbase in the world (including our theoretical anime-built new one) isn't going to help any if Capcom doesn't change their attitude.

The word I look for here is serves them right. Not to offend anyone here but I think it serves CAPCOM right what they did.

[Jericho]

What's more, Sonic has recently been on quite an uphill trend from about Unleashed in 08 to everything happening with the brand in 2011. It's [tornado fang]ing bizarro world I'm telling you. I dunno if I want a world where Sonic gets re-invented and has good games coming out at a consistent clip without over saturating the market but [tornado fang]ing Mega Man stagnates and goes the way of the dodo.

I'll admit Capcom does love their sequels even there isn't any real difference between games such as Street Fighter II, Turbo, Super, Champion or whatever but you have to be an obsessed programmer or fan to discover those differences.

Fighting game iterations are a minefield one should try not to tread in when we talk about re-treads and sequelitis. They were done in the past because there simply was no other way to incorporate changes, be they small like a new move or two for a character or large like an entire engine revamp, movement changes, etc., without putting out a new release altogether. Capcom's current gen fighters in the form of SFIV & MVC3 should have embraced the DLC model for pushing out these updates, and while SFIV eventually got that right, they still stumbled since the infrastructure for something like that didn't exist until they made a Super iteration. Since then, every new iteration (AE, Ver. 2012) has been an update that simply added itself to the base set in Super. In Marvel's case, there's a lot of external circumstances going about, some of which I hesitate to believe had as big an effect on its development as they say it did, but I digress. Apparently, the earthquake is cited as the biggest reason why DLC updates didn't happen, but honestly, the actual changes to the gameplay engine and tweaking of numerous gameplay elements tells me that Capcom/8-ing and Niitsuma were going to have to release a new disc copy eventually to tone down the [parasitic bomb] going on in the game.

[Bolt Crank]

It will be along while before Sonic can will the hearts of all those who had forgotten him over years but at least SEGA is trying to keep him relevant again.

While? Sega got people's interest back with Unleashed,(for better or for worse, at least the fanbase was in agreement over the daytime segments) got their love with Colors, and generations simply sealed the deal that Sega knows what they are doing again, and won their hearts back over.

[Reimu Hakurei]

Now if only Capcom can only do the same for their blue bomber, Mega Man neneds to be relevant again.

[Megaman-RA]

Now if only Capcom can only do the same for their blue bomber, Mega Man neneds to be relevant again.

Quoted for truth. Very indeed.