Capcom axes games, halves profit forecast amid restructuring

Capcom has canned a number of projects and halved its profit forecast for the business year just ended amid newly announced restructuring plans. The Japanese publisher told investors today that it has discontinued multiple games "due to delays in responding to the digital contents and the resulting inability to address market needs".

The Japanese publisher said: "In view of the sudden and significant changes in the operating environment of the Digital Contents business, Capcom reviewed its business expansion strategy for the sector and restructured its game development organization to reflect changes in its game development strategy.”

For the business year ended March 31, 2013 Capcom now expects to report a net profit of £19.3m / $29.5m, down from its previous guidance of £43.5m / $66m. Capcom games slated for release in the current business year include Monster Hunter 4, Lost Planet 3, Resident Evil Revelations Unveiled Edition and “other major titles”. Among plans outlined to boost profitability, the publisher said it intends to strengthen DLC strategies in its consumer games business and raise game quality by moving more development in-house.