CAPCOM | History

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(as of March 5, 2012)

By continuously creating original content,
CAPCOM of Japan has transformed itself
into CAPCOM of the world.

Since its inception, Capcom has been creating a series of industry-leading game titles with remarkable commercial success around the globe, including the classic "Street Fighter," which was the rage of the times, and the worldwide blockbuster survival horror game "Resident Evil" to name two. All of these original and innovative games have helped make the Capcom brand a household name. We continue to aspire to be a company that entertains people around the world and touches their heart.

1979～
1990～
2000～
2005～
2010～

1979～

Corporate History

May 1979

Established I.R.M Corporation (capital of 10 million yen) with objectives of developing and selling electric applied game machines in Matsubara, Osaka.

May 1981

Established the subsidiary JAPAN CAPSULE COMPUTER CO., LTD.

Sep. 1981

Corporate name was changed to SANBI CO., LTD., and the head office was moved to Habikino, Osaka.

Jun. 1983

Established old CAPCOM CO., LTD., (capital of 10 million yen) in Hirano, Osaka for the purpose of selling software.

Oct. 1983

Established Tokyo Branch in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

Aug. 1985

Established CAPCOM U.S.A., INC., in California for distribution of Capcom's products in the U.S.A.

Jan. 1989

Old CAPCOM CO., LTD., was merged with SANBI. Corporate name was changed to CAPCOM CO., LTD., and the head office was moved to Higashi-ku, Osaka.

Aug. 1989

Established a resident office in the U.K.

Products History

Jul. 1983

Released our first originally developed coin-op "Little League".

Oct. 1983

Released the coin-op "Fever Chance"..

Dec. 1983

Opened "Acty 24", a video arcade under the direct management of Capcom.

May 1984

Released our first arcade video game "Vulgus".

Dec. 1984

Released the arcade video game "1942".

May 1985

Released the arcade video game "Commando".

Sep. 1985

Released the arcade video game "Ghosts'n Goblins".

Dec. 1985

Released our first home video game "1942" for Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).

Jun. 1986

Released "Ghosts'n Goblins" for NES.

Sep. 1986

Released "Commando" for NES.

Dec. 1987

Released the arcade video game "Street Fighter".

Dec. 1989

Released "Mega Man" for NES.

Dec. 1989

Released the arcade video game "Final Fight".

1990～

Corporate History

Oct. 1990

Stocks registered as OTC securities with the Japan Securities Dealers Association.

Feb. 1991

Purchased YUNIKA CO., LTD. and turned it into a 100% subsidiary.

Dec. 1991

Changed the name of YUNIKA CO., LTD. to CAPTRON CO., LTD.

Jul. 1993

Established CAPCOM ASIA CO., LTD. in Hong Kong for distribution of Capcom's products in China and Southeast Asia.

Oct. 1993

Stock was listed on the second section of the Osaka Stock Exchange.

May 1994

Constructed Ueno facility in Mie.

Jul. 1994

Constructed head office, which was relocated to Uchihirano-machi, Chuo-ku, Osaka.

Jun. 1995

Established CAPCOM ENTERTAINMENT, INC. and CAPCOM DIGITAL STUDIOS, INC. (currently CAPCOM STUDIO 8, INC.), which CAPCOM U.S.A., INC. holds for the purposes of enhancing and maximizing functions such as management, distribution, and R&D in U.S.A.

Apr. 1997

Established FLAGSHIP CO., LTD. with a view of game scenario creation.

Sep. 1999

Stock changed listing to the First Section of the Osaka Securities Exchange.

Products History

Dec. 1990

Released "Final Fight" for Super NES.

Mar. 1991

Released the arcade video game "Street Fighter II" and it triggered the "Street Fighter II" boom.

Jun. 1992

Released "Street Fighter II" for Super NES, and it was a mega-hit.

Apr. 1993

Released "Breath of Fire" for Super NES.

Jul. 1993

Opened "CapcoCircus Nigata East", the largest arcade in Nigata.

Aug. 1994

Premiere of the animated movie "Street Fighter II".

Dec. 1994

Premiere of the Hollywood movie "Street Fighter".

Apr. 1995

Began broadcasting the TV animation "Street Fighter II V".

Mar. 1996

Released "Resident Evil" for PlayStation, a long selling title which had record breaking sales, and established the genre of survival horror.

Jul. 1999

Released "Dino Crisis" for PlayStation, and it was a mega-hit.

2000～

Corporate History

Oct. 2000: Stock was listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Nov. 2002: Established CE EUROPE LTD. in U.K.
Feb. 2003: Established CEG INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT GmbH in Germany.

Products History

Jan. 2001

Released "Onimusha" for PlayStation 2, and it sold over a million copies, a first for a PlayStation 2 title.

Aug. 2001

Released "Devil May Cry" for PlayStation 2, and it was a mega-hit.

Oct. 2001

Released "Phoenix Wright" for Game Boy Advance, and it drew public attention as a courtroom battle title.

Mar. 2002

Began broadcasting the TV animation based on the hit title "Mega Man Battle Network".

Mar. 2002

Premiere of the Hollywood movie "Resident Evil" which recorded sales of 102 million dollars worldwide.

Feb. 2004

Entered the publishing business and released the first strategy guidebook for "Onimusha 3".

Sep. 2004

Premiere of the Hollywood movie "Resident Evil: Apocalypse" and it grossed 100 million dollars worldwide.

Oct. 2004

"Monster Hunter" won the grand award at the 8th annual CESA GAME AWARDS.

2005～

Corporate History

Jun. 2006: CAPCOM INTERACTIVE, INC., tasked with developing and distributing mobile games in the overseas market, is established in the United States and makes CAPCOM INTERACTIVE CANADA, INC. (the former COSMIC INFINITY, INC.) a wholly-owned subsidiary by buying all its shares.
Oct. 2006: CAPCOM CO., LTD. and the DWANGO group co-found DALETTO CO., LTD., responsible for managing a portal site.
Mar. 2007: CAPCOM ENTERTAINMENT KOREA CO., LTD., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Capcom, is established to oversee marketing operations for the Asian market.

CAPCOM ENTERTAINMENT, INC. acquires CAPCOM STUDIO8, INC.
Jun. 2007: CAPCOM CO., LTD. acquires FLAGSHIP CO., LTD.
May 2008: K2 CO., LTD. becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary through a simple exchange of stocks.
Jul. 2008: CAPCOM ENTERTAINMENT FRANCE, SAS is established through the acquisition of all of its shares by CE EUROPE LTD.
Nov. 2008: Acquired 90% of shares of ENTERRISE CO., LTD. for the purpose of developing, designing, producing and selling gaming machines.

Products History

Mar. 2005

Premiere of the animated movie "Mega Man.

Jul. 2005

Released "Sengoku BASARA" for PlayStation 2, which enjoyed popularity especially among young gamers for its innovative worldview.

Jul. 2006

Capcom and TOMY COMPANY, LTD. co-launch "Wantame Music Channel", a card game machine geared towards girls under 10.

Aug. 2006

Released "Dead Rising" for Xbox 360. More than 1 million units were sold, an extraordinary feat for a new title for a new game console.

Dec. 2006

Released software "Lost Planet" for Xbox 360. Over 1 million units were sold following the trails of "Dead Rising", another exceptional accomplishment for a new title.

Mar. 2007

"Monster Hunter Freedom 2" becomes the first Japanese PSP software to exceed 1 million units shipped.

Nov. 2007

The Hollywood movie"Resident Evil: Extinction" was released.
Its box-office revenue exceeded 147 million dollars.

Oct. 2008

Premier of the first full-CG movie in the series "Resident Evil: Degeneration". Sales of DVDs and other product versions reached 1.5 million units.

Feb. 2009

Hollywood movie "Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li" was released worldwide.

Feb. 2009

Takarazuka Revue Company launches theatrical performance of "Ace Attorney: Truth Reborn".

Mar. 2009

"Plaza Capcom Inazawa" opens in Aichi Prefecture.

Apr. 2009

Began broadcasting the TV animation program "Sengoku BASARA".

May 2009

Released "Resident Evil: Degeneration", Capcom's first title for the iPhone.

Jul. 2009

"Sengoku BASARA" stage performance commences.

Jul. 2009

Initial shipments of "Monster Hunter Tri", a third-party title for the Wii, surpass one million units.

Oct. 2009

"Sengoku BASARA" character Date Masamune used for PR activities in support of the Miyagi Prefecture gubernatorial elections.

2010～

Corporate History

Aug. 2010

CAPCOM GAME STUDIO VANCOUVER, INC. is established in Canada through the acquisition of all of its shares by CAPCOM U.S.A., INC.

Oct. 2010

CAPCOM GAME STUDIO VANCOUVER, INC. acquires BLUE CASTLE GAMES INC. by buying all its shares.

Mar. 2011

CAPCOM CO., LTD. acquires DALETTO CO., LTD.

Apr. 2011

CAPCOM INTERACTIVE, INC. was renamed BEELINE INTERACTIVE, INC. as well as Capcom established BEELINE INTERACTIVE JAPAN, INC. for development and distribution of mobile phone content.