Capcom shareholders open company up to takeover possibility

GS: Today, Capcom announced that at its most recent investor meeting, its shareholders voted to end the company's takeover defense -- which means that Capcom could now be acquired if a company buys up large amounts of its stock.

[Majin-vegeta]

If someone were to do this does that mean their IP'S would be exclusive to that company??Lets Say Sony bought.Would thy have control over the IP'S?

@Below Oh ok.

Wow,who ever would get a hold of them would be a big time help especially considering they own SF.And they could revive some other franchises VJ,Dino Crisis,Onimusha etc..

[NYC_Gamer]

Yes,who ever bought up the shares would control Capcom.

[guitarded77]

Doesn't necessarily mean the IP's would become "exclusive". Say one of the big 3 hardware manufacturers did buy CAPCOM (which will NOT happen), they can and probably would choose to keep CAPCOM separate for their company, and let it operate neutrally. There is too much money spread across the consoles and PC to make CAPCOM games console specific.

Personally, I can't think of one current company that I think would be a good match for CAPCOM. Maybe ATLUS, but they don't have that kind of money.

[No9]

Didn't Sega recently buy Atlus?

[choujij]

Act now, Nintendo. It's time to tap into that bank.

@No9, Yes they did. I don't understand how, but they did. One minute they're laying off people. the next they're buying Atlus.

[darthv72]

there were 2 Capcom vs SNK games and only 1 SNK vs Capcom (SvC Chaos). Id love to see the two pair up to make another quality fighting game in the series.

Mix capcom fighting evolution with neo geo battle coliseum.

[Madock]

Nintendo, come on
U said u wanted a take over & here we r!!

[aCasualGamer]

Two of my favorite IP's from japanese developers, Resident Evil and Devil May Cry, are in threat of creative shift....

...so in other words, i'm positive about these news.

Capcom has destroyed both RE franchise and DMC at the same time.

Hopefully someone buys Capcom and puts a cork in whomever was responsible for the creative shifts in RE and DMC.

[LOL_WUT]

Yep Nintendo should definitely take over it would be huge gain for them very exciting indeed ;)

[truefan1]

Capcom, Welcome to Microsoft!!

[Magicite]

They would rather choose DEATH!

[BitbyDeath]

Said no one ever.

[Clogmaster]

You must be diseased in the mind or something.

Western take on Eastern concepts = the disgrace known as DmC.

There's a reason why East and West should stay separated.

[Shinox]

If blind fanboys like you wish Capcom to partner with M$ its like asking a major company to dig their own grave , its either Sony ( or maybe Nintendo ) has the opportunity to teach Capcom a lesson on how to make good games , M$ is the reason why Capcom greed and arrogance becomes unstable since the last generation and for that no one shall wish them to go to that side again EVER

[DarkZane]

MS buying capcom is impossible. Outsiders can't buy japanese companies, it's a rule there. Sony or Nintendo are the only ones of the big 3 who could buy it if they wanted and if they had the money.

[xx4xx]

While I don't think it's likely, it would be interesting if Microsoft went after them.

It would only help Microsoft in the western markets while obviously giving them huge major exclusives.

It also isn't that far fetched since Capcom was reportedly very pleased with Dead Rising 3 and how Microsoft worked with them. Capcom was also looking more eastern in the same way Microsoft wants to crank into the western markets.

Lastly, if not Microsoft, who? Amazon?
Sony? Sony would be more surprising than Microsoft given Sony's current corporate financial shape. Nintendo? Their current Wii is hurting business.... could be the boost they need or it may be too step at this time for them.

All that said....I doubt much will happen.

[Sevir]

They'd have to control more than 50% of Capcom's Shares for a take over to happen. And quite frankly that wouldn't happen. If MS, Sony or Nintendo bought Capcom it would be the worst investment possible since they are way too large to spin any kind of profit, Capcom already makes money from selling games on platforms, PC, PS3, PS4, XBO, XB360, Wii U, 3DS and PSVita, Mobile phones... Having all those studios make games for One Platform would emilimate 70% of the profits making such an acquisition very silly and from a business stand point would be highly unsustainable, especially since a large portion of capcom's profits come from Mobile and handhelds...

MS's W8 platform is barely profitable let alone worthy of any traction when Android and iOS run the gamut. 90% of that software wouldn't make sense on the W8 platform let alone for the Xbox brand when the don't have traction I'm Japan or even a handheld that can go toe to toe with Ninth and Sony.

Of all the 3, Sony would probably benefit the most since they support Android, they have 3 profitable platforms and have a presence in Japan and also have a studio that makes games for PC. It would still be an unprofitable acquisition, but they have more resources as a multimedia company.

Neither of these platform holders should ever even think about buying a mega publisher/3rd party company like Capcom or Konami. Its insanely stupid.

[k3rn3ll]

It is not impossible for a western company to buy a japanese. And a share sale is one of the easiest ways to do it.
http://www.iflr.com/Article...

[SpideySpeakz]

Naah, I prefer Sony or Nintendo. They have a better track record for 1st party games. MS isn't fit for 1st party commitment. Rare is a PRIME example.

[Mystogan]

I'm a MS fanboy but I'd rather have them buy Square Enix or something.

They have too many lame IP's.

If they do happen to buy them.

First thing they'll need to do is sell of their fighter division.(street fighter, Marvel V Capcom etc.), keep some of the talent to work on Killer Instinct.

Keep all the interesting IP's Like Dragon's Dogma, Monster Hunter, Dead Rising, Lost Planet, Resident Evil and Devil May Cry. Invest big money in them and let them live to their potential. And also bring back MegaMan.

The games should be on Windows Phone, Windows 8 and Xbox. No way they're gonna put them on PS4.

Update:

To Those saying MS can't buy Capcom because they're a Japanese company... That is simply not true..

[spacecat5050]

It would make sense for MS to buy capcom. They want a foot hold in Japan, this is the best way to do it.

[Darkfist]

remember Rare

[WMANUW]

Dragons Dogma !!!

[-Foxtrot]

I'd rather there IP's just got separated from them and giving to separate companies

If we take the big three for example

Sony - Resident Evil, DMC...maybe Dino Crises

Microsoft - Dead Rising, Lost Planet

Nintendo - Monster Hunter, Megaman

Street Fighter....up for grabs

[HUMDANGUR]

power stone , okami , and rival schools/ project justice ,

[ThatArtGuy]

Mega Man should go to Comcept.

[breakpad]

Monster hunter belong to Sony as most of the others Ips ...ok shitty Dead rising let MS got it

[ZombieKiller]

SONY! I CHOOSE YOU!

-Shit wrong monster hunting game....but you get the point. I would love that if it happened.

[breakpad]

i thought the same thing Sony must take the chance and get 2 successfull Ips ..MOnster hunter and Dragons Dogma

[ZombieKiller]

Lol @ disagrees. Soo.....I wouldn't love it if Sony bought Capcom? ok! Didn't know some people knew me better than I did....

[Kidmyst]

I'd love to see a new Onimusha. Loved those games

[ZombieKiller]

I agree, that was the ONLY series that didn't make it to PS3 that I loved on PS2, all the other ones came over. Damn, I would even settle for an HD remix at this point.

[Sitdown]

Disney?

[XxExacutionerxX]

Microsoft, please buy Capcom.... that would be a great move for the company

Do not go to Sony or Nintendo, that would be a horrible move. I don't care want you sony fanboys think.

Microsoft would save Capcom, Monster Hunter, Street Fighter, Dead Rising 3 and Resident Evil would become bigger hits under Microsoft

[Majin-vegeta]

Lol no.MS would kill those franchises.We already saw what they did to Conker,Banjo etc..

[XxExacutionerxX]

Microsoft is bring back old franchises, did you watch E3 or seen K1 season one.

[sinspirit]

Killer Instinct: S1? Lol.. Everyone knows of it. No one talks about it anymore; that's why they decided to rerelease it as KI: S2 and will do so every year to try to gain popularity.

Microsoft has already tried bringing back old franchises and they flopped. Don't claim they're bringing back old franchises like it means they're going to be great just because Microsoft is involved.

Microsoft needlessly milks franchises as it is. If they milked Capcom franchises even more than Capcom already has then it would destroy all of Capcom's fans opinions. Rare used to be great and people looked up to them in the gaming industry. Now it's nothing but a random projects team because Microsoft can't find any source of creativity or vision when it comes to games.

Nintendo and Sony both fit together with Capcom very well. Japanese companies that grew together for the past couple decades that share many of the same fans. If Microsoft bought them then Japanese gamers would be in an uproar.

Also, I've heard that there are regulations that prevent western corporations from buying out Eastern business. So, if that's true then Microsoft has no chance at it.

[Godmars290]

If anyone has to buy them, I'd rather it be Nintendo. Otherwise its going to be MS or EA, my least choices.

[BitbyDeath]

Nintendo would be a good match... IMO

[TekoIie]

The more I think about it the more I like the idea of Nintendo being in control of Mega Man, Ace Attorney, Okami and Monster Hunter.

[Deadpool616]

Well there's BandaiNamco and there's TecmoKoei. Maybe...KonamiCapcom?

[NovusTerminus]

Or Square Enix Capcom...

But I think Tecmo Koei would be best, they listen to their fans allot.

[UltraNova]

^^
Just like Square does?

Recently, anything Square touches turns to shit...stinking shit..

I would prefer someone neutral bought them out. Certainly not Activation and EA though!

[showtimefolks]

MS can't buy capcom a Japanese company can only buy it, meaning nintendo or sony

[mrpsychoticstalker]

That's all about to change, MICROSOFT already in talks with them.

Welcome to Microsoft Capcom!

[ghostface9]

might be the dumbest thing I have ever heard

[k3rn3ll]

this isnt true. check your facts before you all start babbling
http://www.iflr.com/Article...

[XiYakushijuAkeginuXi]

The worst thing in the world...

EA buys Capcom

That would totally destroy Capcom

[XiSasukeUchiha]

Wouldn't that be a good thing since the two worst companies in gaming can both destroy each other out or going to get takeover like MS per say !

[XiYakushijuAkeginuXi]

Actually, you are very right and smart for saying that!

[XiNarutoUzumaki]

Haha

Bubble up my fellow Ninja

[ritsuka666]

I prefer EA instead crapcom. Anyways,I hope Nintendo doesn't miss this golden opportunity!

[pompombrum]

Capcom have came damn close to destroying themselves. I dislike EA as much as anyone but they couldn't actually do much worse at this point. As long as there is money to be had, EA will at least do what is right for franchises.

[AnotherProGamer]

no the real worst thing is if Zynga buys them

[HUMDANGUR]

rovio *puts gun to head *

[TXIDarkAvenger]

Implying Capcom isn't shit already. R.I.P Megaman.

[Mikeyy]

Dude is having a total conversation with himself. ..

[ats1992]

If this happens it will be a third party developer that buys the shares more than likely.

[AaronPS]

Hopefully

[ZoidsRaven]

Nintendo...... You F'd up letting Atlus get away, don't let the same happen with Capcom. 7_7

[Vegamyster]

Megaman made by Retro Studios would be awesome.

[ZoidsRaven]

Indee, it would be.
That would definitely get me hyped.

@dudebro90: Who, Nintendo or Atlus?

[WPX]

Megaman Legends Prime...

lol couldn't resist. not a bad idea btw.

[Dudebro90]

You mean that company that barely produces a profit?

[Fel08]

Nintendo got more money than Sony at the moment. Sony could not afford it, Nintendo in the other hand, can.

[Dudebro90]

I was talking about Atlus there champ.

[Quickstrike]

Nintendo had no business purchasing Atlas. I'm generally happy that SEGA bought them to let them continue business as usual.

[BitbyDeath]

Maybe Sega can buy Capcom as well and then make a new console!

[BVFTW]

Atlus shines as a multiplatform developer. Why will some of you ever wish to see some of its franchises exclusively tied to one platform, how many of you own shares on nintendo-sony-microsoft for god sake :S if you really love those games wouldn't you want them to reach as many gamers as possible?

[ZoidsRaven]

I'm glad for that too.
But I feel Nintendo should have made sure SOMETHING was done to insure that nothing bad would have happened to their unfinished game (Shin Megami Tensei x Fire Emblem).
Not buying them was a gamble for Nintendo's game. I know you probably don't care, but it doesn't matter if you don't. That's the point of my post.

Dudebro90: If you're talking about Nintendo, you're deliberately ignoring the profits they made on their other products. The Wii U is not their only product

@BVFTW: I see your point, but you misunderstand. I just don't want anything bad to happen to Shin Megami Tensei x Fire Emblem.

[Activemessiah]

Time to let go of those IPs you buried in your backyard...

Megaman to Nintendo
Darkstalkers to Arc System Works
Devil May Cry to Platinum games
Red Earth to Sony

[GuyManDude]

Also Okami and Viewtiful Joe to Platinum Games. Oh what I'd give to have an Okami sequel on PS4/Vita. Swipe to draw!

[SpiralTear]

Since a lot of the people who are in Platinum Games came from Clover Studios (the ones who made Viewtiful Joe and Okami), I honestly can't think of any better studio to have those IP's.

[pompombrum]

An Arc Sys developed Darkstalkers? That would be just too good to be true.

[Avengingkinght92]

Platinum Games is to poor to buy the Devil May Cry IP. Remember they wanted to buy the Darksiders IP for cheap. And they also need funds from another company. Plus they're games don't sell well.

[Activemessiah]

I had no idea they tired to do that... what a strange choice of an IP to buy...

[NovusTerminus]

I would prefer if Itsuno stayed on DMC, he made 3 and 4, and I like his style. Plat has plenty of other projects.

[ThatArtGuy]

Again, Mega Man should go to Comcept.

[Activemessiah]

Well, Nintendo can request Comcept to make the game for them...

[AaronPS]

Personally if it were to come down to one of the big three buying it (which it most likely won't) I'd prefer Sony to purchase them as they are a company that allows a bit of creative freedom. Look at Japan Studio, they work on some of the weirdest ideas which turn into great games, Microsoft would have cancelled the likes of The Last Guardian a long time ago if they would even have allowed it to begin development. I hope if they were to allow a takeover that it was an independent Japanese company that could bring them back to their better years.

[JBSleek]

Undercover Fanboy

[Realplaya]

Did you not see E3 it seems that Nintendo offers freedom as well or did you miss that part?

[iamnsuperman]

I don't see any company buying Capcom or their shares. If companies want the exclusives they would wait for bankruptcy. I think this might be a long road down for Capcom.

[NYC_Gamer]

100% agree,buying the company wouldn't make sense when could just buy the franchises for cheap.

[sinspirit]

Yes, they could wait till Capcom would take any form of money when they're bankrupt but the potential buyers won't be working with others to secure that. I can see any big studio buying them as soon as possible just to secure those franchises and the name.

[MNGamer-N]

I wonder how much they are worth / cost. I got like $3 on it if you all want to pitch in with me.

[LackTrue4K]

you can't even buy any of there DLC with that...lol.

[corvusmd]

...and MS moves in.

[Paolo11]

If Nintendo buys Capcom, they better revive Megaman or other IP games.

[the_hitman3000]

IF this happened for me the best mergers could be with square or maybe Ubisoft. IF all there stuff went first party I wouldn't mind them going to Sony though.

[Summons75]

Nintendo GO GO GO! Save Mega-Man, Devil May Cry, Dragon's Dogma!!! Just think of how amazing DMC would be if you returned it to Japanese devs that cared, like Platinum Games (Plus DMC's father works there too). Think about how well received Mega Man when revealed in smash! Look at how well Monster Hunter has done on your systems and how well Xenoblade Chronicles X is received!

If not Nintendo, I wouldn't mind Sony as long as they handle the stuff right...

[WeAreLegion]

Don't let Nintendo touch my Devil May Cry!

Edit:
I'm not comparing them to Ninja Theory. The Devil May Cry 3 director still works at Capcom. It is, by far, the best game in the series.

Kamiya has been going downhill, in my opinion. Nintendo owning the franchise is not a guarantee that Platinum will work on it, anyway. They're still third party.

If Nintendo saves it, it will have to release on the Wii U. I'd much rather see what could be done with the franchise on a more powerful system.

I do love my Wii U, but Nintendo doesn't have the teams to work on Devil May Cry. Sony does. Nintendo would absolutely have to let Platinum make it. I don't trust Platinum with the series at this point.

[Summons75]

It will be infinitely better than what Ninja Theory could EVER do. They are doing a wonderful job with Bayonetta 2 and the creator of Devil May Cry works at Platinum Games, who better to make sure to get a special franchise then the creator himself?

Don't see how you could not want nintendo to save another franchise.

[Tony-Red-Grave]

Kamiya makes good games no doubt. But the times have changed the difference between a bayonetta atmosphere and DMC1 atmosphere is the difference between night and day. If anything we might get something DMC4 esque and more of DMC4 is the last thing i'd ever want to see.

My hate for dmc4 aside i'm pretty sure the guy who made DMC2 is the same one who went on to make DMC3. Just a little fun fact I thought i'd throw out there :p.

[Drasill]

I wouldn't mind Bandai Namco, Konami, or Sega buying them.

[OrangePowerz]

Don't know about Konami, just like Capcom they destroyed some of their franchises like Silent Hill by making them more for the western audience.

[Kenshin_BATT0USAI]

IMO Bandai Namco is both most likely and best fit.

[OrangePowerz]

Please don't let a western company buy them.

[Quickstrike]

No worries there, I remember reading something about foreign (to Japan) companies can't purchase companies in Japan.

[k3rn3ll]

nope

http://www.iflr.com/Article...

[gameon1985]

dude do really believe that crap you just spit out?

[gameon1985]

how about you just (along with the majority of the people on here) just get a life. Who ever buys them will not effect anyone on this site in no form or shape.

[OrangePowerz]

Since we are gamers here and Capcom makes games it will affect us in the form of how their games are depending on who woupd buy them.

[Pancit_Canton]

Hopefully Sony will take over Capcom and Remake or Reboot all their IP.

Megaman, Breath Of Fire, Maximo, Ghost and Goblin, Devil May Cry deserves a proper remake or reboot.

[sinspirit]

Breath of Fire. Please.

[DC777]

You said you wanted mergers and acquisitions Iwata. Move it.

[MultiConsoleGamer]

This is what I would like to see the most, however their recent partnership with another company makes me think it won't happen.

A purchase by Nintendo would be great though. Maybe we'd see some new Megaman games.

[XtraTrstrL]

I could see Microsoft trying to grab them with their endless wads of $$$$$. Sony better act fast if it comes down to competition possibly owning some major franchises that could be insane console movers if the IPs were actually handled right. Crapcom is so stupid for allowing themselves to fall to this point, with all the major IPs they have, it makes no sense. All because of greed.

[gameon1985]

If it comes to a bidding war between Sony and Microsoft we already know who will win that.

[sinspirit]

You don't bid on shares.

Also...

Share sale:
Almost all private Japanese companies have a provision in their articles of incorporation requiring approval of the board of directors for transfer of shares. This means that the board of the target company must approve the acquisition, in addition to the board of the seller. In Japanese companies, management often makes up a majority of the board. When the shareholders have
decided to sell, the management of the target company usually follows the will of the shareholders, but the theoretical risk exists that management could refuse to approve the share sale and block the transaction.

I'm pretty sure Capcom would rather go with any Japanese or third party company and they can chose to accept whether they get the shares or not.

[Belasco]

I hope Microsoft buys them and forces them to make Kinect games.

[mydyingparadiselost]

Lol, very funny. Bubble for you sir, that's a P4RGaming worthy statement.

[XtraTrstrL]

LMAO. Poor Rare.

[WPX]

And makes them do TxSF Megaman avatars.
Ohhh, the horror.

[Cryptcuzz]

Would be funny if SNK (not sure if they stil exist) bought Capcom. We can't beat Street Fighter with our King of Fighters series, so we will just buy you guys out lol.

[ritsuka666]

SNK still strong! did you not play King OF Fighters XIII?

[Cryptcuzz]

Yes, I've played it but what I meant (jokingly) and referred to is their sales compared to the Street Fighter series.

That in turn results in a bigger fan base. More people to play with online, a bigger e-sports scene, etc.

Not hating on the KoF series, hell, I've played almost all of them since Kings of Fighters 95 on the original Playstation.

[MultiConsoleGamer]

Microsoft purchase incoming.

A certain competitor can't even afford to buy a ham sandwich.

[Tedakin]

Hey Microsoft.. Buy Capcom. Street Fighter, Resident Evil, etc.. Exclusive. Right?

[XStation]

Microsoft, time to throw that money!!!

[0P-Tigrex]

Ahhh... I can see Microsoft making the move. Damn. People will NEED to buy their terrible console in order to play Capcom games on it.

[christocolus]

You are such a troll,gamers like you will bring about the ruin of this great industry.

[0P-Tigrex]

LOL> How? Because i prefer the best place to play?

[showtimefolks]

MS can't buy a Japanese company like capcom, there are laws again foreign companies buying Japanese companies

[christocolus]

@op-tigrex

The way you refer to the competetions product actually tells a lot about the type of ganer you are&pls stop trying to cover it with brand loyalty.your comment had nothing to do with your prefered console.you can like that console and stil make reasonable comments,you aint the only one who has that you know.

@showtime

You know at a point in time just before the launch of the original xbox.ms actually considered aquiring nintendo but nintendos founder wouldn't budge.if they are actually interested in buying the developer believe me not a million insults from naïve gamers would stop them. Square bought eidos,its seems to work well the other way too. Its a business&i don't see why the japanese govt would rather allow a business go bankrupt than allow a foreign company bail aquire them. Anyway pls provide mw with the link that says foreign companies can't aquire/become the major shareholders in japanese companies.

I saw this online too

http://www.iflr.com/Article...

[XtraTrstrL]

Well, to be completely honest, there's only a few Crapcom IPs left that are worth playing anyways. They ruined Resident Evil, Devil May Cry is whatever now, Megaman is forgotten(until Mighty NO.9 does well and they decide to copycat and revive MM).

Monster Hunter, Dragon's Dogma maybe, and Street Fighter are among the few games they make that hold any quality standards still, and even that they're attempting to ruin with disc-locked content that they resell as day-1 $DLC. They wrecked their whole SFxTekken game with massive amounts of that crap, including the creation of 'gems', that was clearly just to have a new 'pay-for-advantage' $DLC avenue.

The people responded, the games price flew down immediately and it was forever tarnished, and with that COO recently announcing SF5 along with a pay-for-advantage system to go with it. Things don't look good for that game either, despite Ono coming out and trying to repair things by denying any pay-to-win system.

So, it sounds like a huge win for anyone who could buy Crapcom out, unless they plan to really make major changes with the philosophy of the dev teams and all the shady monitization standards, continuing at their current rate - there's little to be excited about. But we all know Microsoft with it's 360 set those charge-them-for-any-content overpriced $DLC standards, so I dunno if them buying Crapcom would help in that regard.

[Brazz]

I can't see one of the big 3 buying Capcom and making games exclusives, i don't think that this is going to work.

[tinkypop]

Hopefully someone can answer this.
Can anyone outside of japan buy the shares?
or does everything have to be done in house?

[WeAreLegion]

Anyone can buy the shares. I own shares in Sony and Nintendo. Luckily, I don't own shares in Capcom, but I could! (From the US)

If enough of us on N4G had enough money, we could buy all those shares. Haha. Imagine that.

[kevinsheeks]

Hahaha capcom owned by the gamers :P

[BitbyDeath]

I know takeovers can only be done within that country, not sure if this falls into the same realm though.

[josephayal]

cant wait for nintendo vs capcom

[BVFTW]

Maybe Bandai-Namco could be a better option: Bamco releases all kinds of games, some games with cross-overs are naturally fitted, the company is very similar to what capcom once was, it has a respectable presence in the arcade and competition scene, lots of resources available and presence in other medias.

[Clogmaster]

If only Platinum was big enough to absorb that idiotic company that's holding all Clover's original IPs.

[Destiny1080]

I can see ms buying an ip or 2 but the whole company, its possible but I don't see it happening, sony are broke and Nintendo have no interest, ea have great ips that they don't bother with so having more wont help, activision are two busy with there own ips, cant see anyone bailing out Capcom but there ips will sell like hot cakes when they go under

[Lolyta]

Let's be honest here , Capcom major fame was built from Sony consoles , it was the source of Capcom success since the PS1 / PS2 era
They sure know how to control their talents and force them to bring sequels , Why i mention "Sony" specifically well .. i'm not gonna lie , Sony consoles were the reason why i loved Capcom games in the first place , just being honest as an old school gamer here :3
if Sony didn't stepped up before others it would be a huge loss for them

[Tedakin]

If you don't think MS isn't having meetings about this... I'm no fanboy, but I do prefer Xbox and this would be ridiculous if MS actually bought them out. It'd be bad for gaming. I mean huge for MS and Xbox... but bad for gaming. Street Fighter, Devil May Cry, Mega Man and Resident Evil first party MS games... Uh....

[Avengingkinght92]

Platinum Games is too poor to purchase the DMC IP. Maybe Konami or Square Enix.

[zugdar]

Konami and Square Enix are not sitting well now either. Not ina buying position anyways.

[zugdar]

If it has to sell out split it up I say.

Nintendo can take the Mega Man and retro franchises.
Namco can have the fighters
Platinum games can take back their IP....

I think many companies could treat the IP much better than Capcom has in a while.

[bleedsoe9mm]

it would be much worse for ms if sony bought them than it would for sony if microsoft bought them

[Milesprowers]

Sega will buy Capcom and together create the Dreamcom.

[GodGinrai]

If only.... :)

[Arty84]

yeah so when can we expect the Microsoft announcement about the purchase can anyone really not imagine MS going after all those different IPs as exclusives imagine MS getting the next SF on its system only or the next RE they already have a relationship with the Dead Rising series

[GodGinrai]

They got the money to do it...and if they are serious about japan, capcom exclusivity would give them major strength.

[EverydayGuy]

Do it SONY and make a Playstation vs Capcom fighting game.

[Austin48]

Imagine if bethasda bought capcom them the creator of resident evil would return to series that would be a dream come true

[MegaRay]

So, new Megaman and Devil May Cry games is coming shorter than we expected? cool!

[Berezau]

Definitely a great opportunity for Nintendo, if they want it.

[GodGinrai]

I could see nintendo and capcom being a NICE fit, too.

[StrykerDragoon]

Sony is your best bet. Sony won't keep their stuff console exclusive. I don't understand why people feel Capcom will be console exclusive if acquired by them. They would be console exclusive if Nintendo picked them up. otherwise I'd love another game company to pick them up. SEGA Atlus is probably the perfect fit especially for the fighter division.

[Ck1x]

They would be console exclusive if any company picked them up, if not what's the reason for doing it then! Sony wouldn't buy Capcom but allow RE7 to come out on XbOne and PS4. Or buy Capcom and allow the next MH to come on a Nintendo handheld still. That's just crazy

[StrykerDragoon]

If you believe Microsoft will help Capcom profit outside of their fighting games you're sadly mistaken.

[Gezmoyassine]

@showtimefolks "MS can't buy a Japanese company like capcom, there are laws again foreign companies buying Japanese companies" I didn't know that....Whoever buys them better bring back Onimusha.It's been years since we've seen a new entry from that series.

[Flames76]

Alright microsoft it would be awesome if you guys would buy capcom.Maybe its already in the works since it was going around that resident evil would be exclusive to the Xbox One

[neomahi]

I'm not entirely sure but, as much as I'd like to see Sony acquire Capcom, I don't think it's going to happen. Nintendo either. And I don't think IP can be purchased individually. Think Sony first, alright. If Sony bought into anything, it was Resident Evil so they could produce Resident Evil films. That's Sony's investment, not in games as when was the last time time you saw a Resident Evil game exclusive to a Sony platform. Secondly, Sony sold their stock for Square. FOR SQUARE!!! Nintendo let them go after the Super Nintendo. I don't think Sony nor Nintendo are interested as Street Fighter is the only IP really floating. Resident Evil is sinking, and Sony knows Naughty Dog can top that and get it right in a larger gaming audience in the west with The Last of Us. Nintendo is trickier. They have the money but, they don't want to spend.Nintendo isn't about Resident Evil, DmC, or other mature titles. They might be interested in Mega Man but, that's it. View till Joe was great but, not in best interest to revive. It's not worth investing to pick and choose. It'll have to be bought en up.

I think that's were Microsoft may have tried to be the saving grace and Sony as they picked franchises and invested in the IP. Microsoft wanted Dead Rising and Capcom needed the money. Sony has been leaning toward free to play and took Street Fighter creators Deep Down. By paying for developing and publishing costs they were granted exclusively games for that platform. Sony seems to like the Demon Souls type games and Microsoft wants the open world zombie games.

[neomahi]

Microsoft? Microsoft has their ear to the ground listening to Sony and Nintendo. If Sony and Nintendo aren't interested, Microsoft won't buy and some third party company will buy Capcom and then the big three will pick their IP and send their guys out to secure rights and save a lot of money. I hate to say it but, Microsoft is a poser. They can't run a business on their own so they have to listen to what everyone else does and mimic them it's the only way they feel they can be competitive because they really don't know the gaming business.

My guess, it will go to a third party company. Grasshopper Manufacture doesn't even care as they have the father of Mega Man and Resident Evil. Why bother when they know they can do it right and better off their name alone?

No, if Sony and Nintendo aren't interested, Microsoft will follow right along and pass. It's not in either of the big threes best interest really.

[feraldrgn]

Don't like the sounds of this.

[Fel08]

MS will ruin it.
SONY can't afford it
Nintendo is the only way to go.

[R00bot]

I agree that of the big three Nintendo is the only one that should be buying them, of course Sony could if they really wanted to. They still have enough, but it'd be a gamble. Microsoft actually can't buy them since there are laws against foreign acquisition of Japanese companies.
There are still other gaming companies too that might want them. Not just the big three.

[BVFTW]

Bamco can afford it, has the track record as publisher and backer of a lot of IPs and is a multiplataform developer, Bamco is the way to go.
Plus: Manga, anime and merchandising muscle!

[Obamanationn]

Nintendo or Sony will try to grab it

[Samuel-Rodrigues]

See now as sad as this news is, if platinum games could just swoop in and own Devil May Cry again that would be great...not like it's going to happen though.

[Majin-vegeta]

Lol I love how people say Sony cant afford them.Yet they purchased Gaikai for $380 Million.

If anything all of Capcoms Ip's would flourish under Sony banner.Seeing as most of them bcame famous during the PS1 era.Plus Sony know the importance of the RE,SF,DC etc series.Not to mention the fighting community would be all over SF.

[Fel08]

Except Capcom would go for a lot more than a few hundred million dollars, and even though the PS4 is doing great, SONY's other divisions aren't doing so hot. So no, they can't really afford it. And if they did end up buying it, it would be a huge gamble.

[NixonMonoxide]

LMAO CRAPCOM. Your shitty ways have caught up with you.
Now if I could, I'd buy GODHAND from you, and call it a bloody day.

[RandomGamer]

Would be nice someone bought Capcom and actually made Megaman Legends 3 ,and canceled the horrible mobile game Breathe Of Fire6 and turn it into an actually console BoF 6 instead .

[mediate-this]

Sony will clearly buy them, capcoms ip's would be another nail for sony. My goodness that would be devastating. Street fighter just on ps? Crazy

[Fel08]

Except they can't afford it. You SONY fanboys need to put down the kool aid and do some research.

[mediate-this]

Just being open minded, not a fanboy but a fan of gaming, i played capcom games from nes to present. Just saying that would be crazy.

Last time i heard capcom only had 100mil in the bank.

[silvacrest]

i dont no who i would want to buy capcom but considering what MS did to rare.....just not them

[shuuwai]

If Sony or Nintendo or Microsoft. The Dlc will be only on their console, yet the game will be on all system.

[Illusive_Man]

Microsoft. Time to act.

[CervantesPR]

never have i seen such blind fanboyism in this industry, i really hope no one buys capcom, everyone should be able to enjoy capcom games, that would be terrible for gaming. capcom has always been multiplatform, it should stay that way.

[Condemnedman]

Go on ms buy em up 😁 then buy Sony and release the last of us (shove that up your ridiculous fanboys @sses edition 😂

[videgamenext1]

They should just sell off thier ips like thq did.

[Dewitt]

The only company that might make this purchase fort he whole company would be Microsoft. They want to cater to Japanese more and they need to lock down another established studio. Sony cannot afford a risky move like this and Nintendo never buys whole studios. However, I think most likely they will wait to bankruptcy and different studios will buy the IPs.

[solidt12]

some firm we never heard of is going to buy them. just watch.

[pootymcpoockle]

I see many of you crying for Microsoft to buy them out, but I quite simply do not see it happening. Microsofts investors hate the gaming division as it is, so this kind of acquisition (making the assumption it would be a costly one) would not go down well with the investors.

Sony has a similar issue, as although they're doing incredibly well this generation, financially they're in no situation to buy out a company like Capcom.

And then there's Nintendo. A company that in the eyes of many is "doomed". But what most people forget is how much money they have in the bank, and they're the only company I can see buying them out. They have the money, they REALLY need the IP's, and they could do a lot with franchises like Megaman and Viewtiful Joe.

Then again, I could be completely wrong.

[DoggyBiscuit]

I'm hoping Nintendo buys Capcom so we can finally play a new mega man game

[BattleN]

Nintendo should look into this!!!

[lunatic0001]

The only one I see buying them is Nintendo...Sony is broke as fuck...their game division may be profitable but their other divisions are killing them...I don't see ms buying them either even though they have money to blow...Nintendo...prime candidate...gamers always bitch that Nintendo makes games for kids...well with this buyout...they have a wide variety of mature games in their hands...please Nintendo...save megaman

[sovietsoldier]

anybody but ea, we can all agree that would be very bad.

[Hold_It]

As long as none of the "Big 3" buy Capcom and as long as Square Enix and EA doesn't buy Capcom it should be alright. Just hopefully someone buys them and kills off the terrible Resident Evil Sequels. Honestly it might not be bad for Konami to buy them out, because from what it looks like they know Survival Horror better than Capcom, and it would be interesting to see Konami collaborate with Capcom on fighters and Devil May Cry.

Could only imagine what Resident Evil done by Hideo Kojima would/could look like.

[thexmanone]

Deep down Sony fans know MS is the only one with the money to do it. So I understand the damage control. So all I have to say is welcome Capcom, MS is coming for you.

[CamBulls12]

Funny you say "Deep down" because Capcom is making a PS4 exclusive named after that. Plus, they are making another PS4 exclusive, but it's unannounced on what it is.

[thexmanone]

For now, They don`t own them yet

[its_JEFF]

Buying up controlling shares of a company is different from buying the company outright. Of course they would have a good amount of influence in company decisions. But some of you are coming up with some crazy theories.

If Nintendo/Sony/MS were to buy up the shares they wouldn't go in there and claim exclusivity for their platform, first of all that would be dumbe but that would show a clear intention of trying to leverage/sacrifice Capcom to benefit you're other interest... IDK if any board would go for that. It doesn't make too much sense to go exclusive as Capcom doesn't seem to be selling well as a multiplat, why limit that market even more?

Whoever buys up the controlling shares, I hope they go in there makes Capcom invest in new IP's.

[LightDiego]

That's huge. Just hoping that the company who acquires Capcom, take good care of the franchises.
Imagine if a company like Zynga purchases it. :(