Rumors swirl, Microsoft has purchased Capcom=debunked*

[Carl B]

It's sad when GameSpot's rumor control is actually needed to break up a rumor.

And there ya go; it was just indeed a play on that previous rumor thread of two days ago.

Please, can we just put a total ban on any 'insider info' stemming from Opa Ages or EvilAvatar in the future, and do ourselves a favor?

 

[TheChefO]

It's sad when GameSpot's rumor control is actually needed to break up a rumor.

And there ya go; it was just indeed a play on that previous rumor thread of two days ago.

Please, can we just put a total ban on any 'insider info' stemming from Opa Ages or EvilAvatar in the future, and do ourselves a favor?

But the speculation is great! ... and as a bonus, once in a blue moon the rumor turns true

 

[Inane_Dork]

But the speculation is great!

This is not speculation. It is tripe. It is malintentioned refuse from puny minds. Informed speculation is fine indeed, but this? No.

... and as a bonus, once in a blue moon the rumor turns true

I could post completely random things and eventually post something worth reading. That line of reasoning is not good even as a backup. Surely higher quality content is desired than what we can get from randomness.

 

[TheChefO]

This is not speculation. It is tripe. It is malintentioned refuse from puny minds. Informed speculation is fine indeed, but this? No.

I could post completely random things and eventually post something worth reading. That line of reasoning is not good even as a backup. Surely higher quality content is desired than what we can get from randomness.

While I agree this site should be held to a high standard, I don't think we should limit ourselves to press releases just to ensure we are speaking on facts. While this rumor did turn out to be false, as long as it is presented as a question and posters can quickly diagnose "is this feasible and does it make sense" then what is the problem with having a thread on the possibility of something happening titled as such and discussing it intelligently? Good tidbits can come from that just as much as the next bit of news or speculation as long as it is based on something. And if we get nothing more from the rumor than a "this will never happen because of xyz" then it is still very useful to those who may not have been privy to that specific information. Just my thoughts. :smile:

 

[assen]

Funny how when there is talk of Sony exclusives going multiplatform, the board is all "oh no! multiplatform titles suck, they don't utilize the hardware, the creator can't fully exercise his creative glands, yadda yadda", and yet with the mere notion of something like RE5 or DMC going 360-exclusive, it's again "oh no! that way much less people will experience these great games! that would be loss for everybody, except for Micro$oft!"

 

[Dave Baumann]

Those of you that don't follow the PC side of things, go and dig around at the general reaction to the notion of AMD buying ATI when it was first floated as a rumour. Even to just a few weeks before it was announced. Go and read the denials from the companies themselves in the period it first was floated as a suggestion and finalised. Go and read the report from some obscure Chinese site just a few days before and the reaction to that...

Basically, if anything that has taught me its to keep an open mind about these things sometimes and assess them on their merits / detriments and overall logic (but even then you may not be able to fathom all the reasons for it). Cutting off discussion of these types of things is counter intuitive to the notion of a discussion forum if the dicussion can follow a logical, reasonable path.

 

[RollingBalls]

While I agree this site should be held to a high standard, I don't think we should limit ourselves to press releases just to ensure we are speaking on facts. While this rumor did turn out to be false, as long as it is presented as a question and posters can quickly diagnose "is this feasible and does it make sense" then what is the problem with having a thread on the possibility of something happening titled as such and discussing it intelligently? Good tidbits can come from that just as much as the next bit of news or speculation as long as it is based on something. And if we get nothing more from the rumor than a "this will never happen because of xyz" then it is still very useful to those who may not have been privy to that specific information. Just my thoughts. :smile:

What's sad is that this rumor was even given the time of day. Capcom helped pave the road so companies like Sony and Microsoft could drive in profit. They're not cheap whores to be sold out to foreigners in the business.

 

[Nesh]

If Capcom is bought by MS it will be one of my saddest days in gaming history. If there is one company I would like to see them being exclusive with is Nintendo and only Nintendo.

I doubt Capcom would have accepted being bought by MS though. But I suspect something different happened.

Probably MS attempted a take over through buying more than half of Capcom's stock. I dont know how it works exactly if there is any kind of legislation that protects smaller companies from being taken over, but this is the only thing I see possible

Funny how when there is talk of Sony exclusives going multiplatform, the board is all "oh no! multiplatform titles suck, they don't utilize the hardware, the creator can't fully exercise his creative glands, yadda yadda", and yet with the mere notion of something like RE5 or DMC going 360-exclusive, it's again "oh no! that way much less people will experience these great games! that would be loss for everybody, except for Micro$oft!"

Capcom is multiplatform but their games are not. They tend to make exclusives for each platform.

 

[Gollum]

Regardless of wether there is substance to this rumor or not, I don't think MS has any particular need to go after Capcom at this time. I mean they're already getting plenty of love from them already! Capcom has already produced two of the 360's most attractive 3rd party exclusives (Dead Rising and Lost Planet), with more titles and sequels apparently already in the pipeline. To increase their foothold in Japan, they'd need to get the same level of support from other jap. developers, not go after those that already support them anyways...

 

[assen]

Capcom is multiplatform but their games are not. They tend to make exclusives for each platform.

Well, this is exactly the worst position to be in. You have neither the broad audience of multiplatform publishers, nor the strong marketing support and reduced (waived?) platform fees of first- and second party developers.

 

[Rangers]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/show_b...d=25304105&sid=6164175&tag=latestnews;title;0

Sorry guys, it's never going to happen.

K, there is no denial in that link:

While Microsoft quickly raised its boilerplate defense shields (Q: "Is the world flat?" A: "Microsoft does not comment on rumors or speculation."), Capcom was more forthcoming. "It's a 3-year-old rumor, most likely refueled by our recent spate of 360 titles," a rep told GameSpot.

See? Neither company actually denies, at least as Gamespot reports it.

Not that I think it is happening.

 

[Fu3lFr3nzy]

While Microsoft quickly raised its boilerplate defense shields (Q: "Is the world flat?" A: "Microsoft does not comment on rumors or speculation.")

Tor Thorsen is priceless

 

[Nesh]

Well, this is exactly the worst position to be in. You have neither the broad audience of multiplatform publishers, nor the strong marketing support and reduced (waived?) platform fees of first- and second party developers.

perhaps their cost on producing sepparate titles is outshadowed by the revenues brought later. What I ve noticed is that Capcom despite that they tend to make exclusives for various consoles they give weights of support according to userbase

Last gen for example they supported PS3 the most and initially made some GC exclusives. Ofcourse at the end they shifted some of their GC exclusives over the PS3. Very clearly GC's sales were way too few to bring enough revenues.

This time 360 got exclusives first and if you see they probably have the biggest support currently since it also has the biggest userbase. Resident Evil5 is probably their only huge title aimed for a multiplatform release and Capcom is one of the few developers that if they decide for a multiplatform game they will still exploit different hardware and optimize their games to get the most out of them.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Did anyone try looking up the price to buy Capcom, to actually gauge financial plausibility? Haven't we been told about the cap levied on MS's games division's spending which would prohibit any such purchase? People still seem to run with the idea that MS will spend any amount of money from it's reserves, but we've been told that's not the case. Huge purchases are highly unlikely. You'd need to see a very strong financial roadmap to justify such an investment. If Capcom were going cheap, which I think was the case 3 years ago when they were in financial troubles, it might make sense, but at the moment they seem pretty strong.

And a quick look at the Tokyo stock exchange, Capcom's up almost 7%. The internet is an investor's dream tool. Buy shares low, create a bogus rumour of a super buyout, sell shares high when people start buying on the strength of your rumour.

As for 'where there's smoke there's fire' that's a patent falsehood, not just for rumours but in real life. There are chemical smokes that don't invovle any amount of combustion (such as used in the theatre). This is very important to take to heart, because they are people in the world who's reputations are destroyed by unjustified rumours and the mentality that 'where there's smoke there's fire.' It's quite possible to create a whole load of smoke to convince everyone there's a fire when there isn't, because people aren't wise enough to wait on facts before forming conclusions. This isn't of any concern in console mutterings and business rumblings, but the very notion that all rumours have an element of truth (and all smoke has its origins in combustion) is a damaging one, and one nobody should subscribe to.

 

[one]

And a quick look at the Tokyo stock exchange, Capcom's up almost 7%. The internet is an investor's dream tool. Buy shares low, create a bogus rumour of a super buyout, sell shares high when people start buying on the strength of your rumour.

Just FYI, that surge is due to the news that Lost Planet reached 1 million shipment worldwide in a record time, not because of fanboi rumor

Some years ago Capcom failed in their non-game side businesses such as investment in real estate. It became the source of buyout rumors in the past but it seems after porting RE4 to PS2 their core business is getting solid.

 

[Rainbow Man]

Currently there's a unfair advantage in that MS is the only company without any sort significant presence in japan.

It's amusing you're wording it as "unfair". A little over half a decade ago MS wasn't in the console business at all was it then "unfair" that they didn't have a console?

MS is free to start their own japanese development studios of course. I don't see how hat they don't have one now is "unfair".

Business isn't about everything being fair anyway as you know.

Not when you can only afford one console

You seem to be under the assumption if a person can only afford one console he or she wouls by edefault pick the 360.

If a person can only afford one console it's less likely that person could afford the 360 to begin with (being fairly expensive and all). Besides if you can only afford one console [and pick the 360] it's unlikely you could afford every capcom game anyway [assuming capcom is bought up by MS]..

I don't see how this argument carries any significant weight.

Image isn't the issue in japan. development support is.

And the reason they don't have development support..?

There's no logical reason the 360 (or the original xbox before it) shouldn't receive good development support in japan. It's not like MS is a puny unstable company not able to support its commitments or execute on its promises or anything.

So yes I think it's pretty safe to say part of it is an image problem.

Peace.

 

[expletive]

Did anyone try looking up the price to buy Capcom, to actually gauge financial plausibility? Haven't we been told about the cap levied on MS's games division's spending which would prohibit any such purchase? People still seem to run with the idea that MS will spend any amount of money from it's reserves, but we've been told that's not the case. Huge purchases are highly unlikely. You'd need to see a very strong financial roadmap to justify such an investment. If Capcom were going cheap, which I think was the case 3 years ago when they were in financial troubles, it might make sense, but at the moment they seem pretty strong.

That 'fund' had been described is something used in order to secure content and single titles (or trilogies as has been their want lately), I didn't get the impression that something as big as a studio purchase would come from the same account. The lionhead purchase, for instance, was probably a bit more than what we've heard that fund to be at (was it $100mil for that fund?). Anecdotally, ive gotten the impression that investors are wanting to see MS do something with their cash other than stick it between their mattresses.

The capcom thing just seems TOO huge to be possible, i do think MS is open to bringing on development studios but this one, not likely possible, if only from a cultural standpoint and the potential public backlash of it.

 

[Qroach]

It's amusing you're wording it as "unfair". A little over half a decade ago MS wasn't in the console business at all was it then "unfair" that they didn't have a console?

That's a silly argument isn't it? Call it as you will, when it comes to getting support in japan it IS an advantage if your company is BASED there. The other console makers get development support simply because they are japanese. Not because they have a better "image". buying a japanese based development studio/publisher is a big inroad into gaining support in that region.

MS is free to start their own japanese development studios of course. I don't see how hat they don't have one now is "unfair".
Business isn't about everything being fair anyway as you know.

Business is about making money. regardless of what you think, if MS did mange to buy capcom, it would remove part of the advantage Nintendo and sony have in that region, while leveling the playing field. BTW MS did start their own studio there. It's not enough. You need the support of an established studio with a background of developing titles in that region (tried and tested IP) to make any sort of difference (same thing in north america or europe). Honestly I don't see why you are focusing your discussion effort on one single word (unfair) in my reply. To MS or any gamers that sits there wondering why certain companies in japan don't bring titles over to a platform where they are capable of making money, it IS an unfair advantage.

You seem to be under the assumption if a person can only afford one console he or she wouls by edefault pick the 360.

Don't jump to conclusions. If you can afford one console and you find the console that has titles YOU want, then you'd be perfectly fine with a company like capcom only releasing titles on that platform is what I'm saying. i have no idea where you are getting the notion that I'm saying single console owners will choose 360. They will choose whatever platform has the games they want on it. Period.

If a person can only afford one console it's less likely that person could afford the 360 to begin with (being fairly expensive and all). Besides if you can only afford one console [and pick the 360] it's unlikely you could afford every capcom game anyway [assuming capcom is bought up by MS]..

I don't see how this argument carries any significant weight.

Well we agree on one point, "your" argument doesn't carry any significant weight. I really don't see how you thinking someone couldn't afford a 360 and the games released by capcom is relevant to the discussion. Not only that but you are arguing against a point I wasn't making.

And the reason they don't have development support..?
There's no logical reason the 360 (or the original xbox before it) shouldn't receive good development support in japan. It's not like MS is a puny unstable company not able to support its commitments or execute on its promises or anything.

There was a decision made by the development community to not put weight behind the xbox platforms for a number of reasons. None of them was "image" related imo. Sony carries a lot of weight in that region. They also bought into a lot of development partnerships there. Why is it so bad that MS could want to do the same? I'll answer that. It's ONLY a bad thing if you don't like them as a console maker.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

That 'fund' had been described is something used in order to secure content and single titles (or trilogies as has been their want lately), I didn't get the impression that something as big as a studio purchase would come from the same account.

Hmmm, that needs to be checked. By my memory, the quote was talking about either buying a dev studio or investing in 2nd party titles. I certainly recall it suggesting big studio buyouts wasn't really on the cards any more.

 

[Rangers]

Hmmm, that needs to be checked. By my memory, the quote was talking about either buying a dev studio or investing in 2nd party titles. I certainly recall it suggesting big studio buyouts wasn't really on the cards any more.

You should understand microsoft has a budget..and then they have a budget.

Meaning they run the normal video game business one way, but if absolutely needed they will spend much, much more. In the same way they have not price dropped 360 because they haven't had to, but they have stated if they had to, they would, regardless of losses.

Any Capcom purchase therefore, wouldn't likely play by the normal budget rules.

just FYI, that surge is due to the news that Lost Planet reached 1 million shipment worldwide in a record time, not because of fanboi rumor

Interesting, that news hasn't been reported here that I know of yet.