Capcom released today its financial earnings for the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2011. Sales were up 46 percent from the previous year, ending at ¥97.7 billion ($1.2 billion). Capcom absolutely killed it on net income this year, with profits up 257 percent, rising from ¥2.17 billion ($26.9 million) to ¥7.75 billion ($96.1 million).
The Monster Hunter brand continued to be a boon for the company with Monster Hunter Freedom 3 being the fastest-selling PSP title in history with 4.6 million units shipped. Monster Hunter Frontier Online had a “solid performance” for the company and mobile spinoff title Monhan Nikki Mobile Airu Mura reached 1 million users.
The company also found success in targeting specific titles for Western audiences. Dead Rising 2 and Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds both sold over 2 million units each. Combined with the previously mentioned Monster Hunter Freedom 3, the 1.6 million units sold on Super Street Fighter IV, and the 1.5 million units of Lost Planet 2, Capcom reached a major milestone in having five million-sellers in one year.
On the mobile and social side, the bigger winner was Smurfs’ Village for Facebook. The title exceeded Capcom’s expectations “by far”. Ghost Trick’s port for iOS also sold well for the company, though no specific numbers were given.
The company touched upon the earthquake in Japan in its forward-looking statements.
“However, the situation is expected to remain unpredictable as we face the greatest challenge, with the damages from the great earthquake and possible implementation of rolling blackouts resulting in immeasurable economic losses. In the video game industry, a downturn in consumer confidence is feared as the consumer mindset voluntarily moves away from spending, such as entertainment and recreation, and leans excessively towards self-restraint, including refraining from going out. Accordingly, it is believed that time will be required for the domestic game market to recover,” reads the statement.
With a slower domestic market, Capcom plans to commit to making more games targeted at Western audiences.
“We will focus more than ever before on our global operations as the environment surrounding the industry rapidly changes, since the promotion of sales overseas, where the market size is larger, is crucial to the realization of our growth strategy,” Capcom said. “As a result of having generated a series of hit games in European and U.S. markets in recent years, including four overseas million-seller titles during this fiscal year, Capcom’s product line-up is becoming for solid and replete. We will take full advantage of our variety of contents in proactive and aggressive actions.”
