Capcom begins constructions on two new R&D buildings
Capcom has announced plans to open two brand new R&D buildings located near its Osaka head office building. Construction is official underway, the company has confirmed.
In its announcement, Capcom explained why these two new buildings are necessary:
The appearance of next-generation consoles with a variety of network functions has shifted the focus of sales from conventional package software to digitally distributed content. The profit structure and business model are changing at an increasing speed as a result. Furthermore, the popularity of social games due to the widespread use of smartphones is enabling games to reach more user segments and enlarging the entire game market.
To succeed in this challenging environment, Capcom has been focusing resources on strategic and growing areas under a policy of selection and concentration in order to operate with speed and flexibility. Constructing these new R&D buildings will make game development operations more efficient by centralizing these operations and upgrading speed and control. Another goal is to improve quality while holding down development expenses by accumulating development technologies and other knowledge. To accomplish this goal, Capcom plans to hire about 100 developers every year, mostly new graduates, and raise the share of game development work that is performed internally. By March 2022, Capcom plans to have a workforce of 2,500 developers. Capcom believes that these actions will give the company a competitive advantage due to the more powerful development capabilities in the rapidly growing mobile content and PC online games markets.
Capcom’s new R&D buildings will be packaged with the latest facilities, including a motion capture room, a studio for producing and recording sound effects, and multi-purpose spaces that can hold more than 100 people.
Each will also use seismic isolation systems for protection even during a major earthquake and are designed to be environmentally responsible.
Capcom closed out its announcement by noting, “The two buildings will enable Capcom to utilize its outstanding game development skills even more effectively. Capcom is determined to use the new facilities to create highly original games that can meet the expectations of users.”
