Capcom plans to invest less in packaged games leading into 2017, according to its annual report.
North America is the company's largest market, representing 38 percent of all boxed sales in the 12 months ending March 31, followed by Japan with 32 percent and Europe with 26 percent. Asia comprised 4 percent. Capcom shipped 14 million units overall in that time.
Capcom forsees a 28.8 percent decline (from 2012) in the packaged games market and a 109.9 percent increase in the downloadable content market. That's why it's choosing to focus more on digital releases and DLC, which currently makes up 11.3 percent of its business.
This strategy allows for reduced production costs, fewer inventory risks, and longer product life cycles through post-launch content.
One example of Capcom's new approach is the 3DS game Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies, which is releasing in North America and Europe later this year as a download-only title — a first for the series.
Source: Nintendo Life
