History
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.
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1979～
Corporate History
Accomplishments
1979May
Established I.R.M Corporation (capital of 10 million yen) with objectives of developing and selling electric applied game machines in Matsubara, Osaka.
19791981May
Established the subsidiary JAPAN CAPSULE COMPUTER CO., LTD.
Sep.
Corporate name was changed to SANBI CO., LTD., and the head office was moved to Habikino, Osaka.
19811983Jun.
Established old CAPCOM CO., LTD., (capital of 10 million yen) in Hirano, Osaka for the purpose of selling software.
Oct.
Established Tokyo Branch in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
1983Jul.
Released our first originally developed coin-op “Little League”.
Oct.
Released the coin-op “Fever Chance”.
Dec.
Opened “Acty 24”, a video arcade under the direct management of Capcom.
19841984May
Released our first arcade video game “Vulgus”.
Dec.
Released the arcade video game “1942”.
1985Aug.
Established CAPCOM U.S.A., INC., in California for distribution of Capcom’s products in the U.S.A.
1985May
Released the arcade video game “Commando”.
Sep.
Released the arcade video game “Ghosts’n Goblins”.
Dec.
Released our first home video game “1942” for Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).
19861986Jun.
Released “Ghosts’n Goblins” for NES.
Sep.
Released “Commando” for NES.
19871987Aug.
Released the arcade video game “Street Fighter”.
Dec.
Released “Mega Man” for NES.
1989Jan.
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.
Established a resident office in the U.K.
1989Dec.
Released the arcade video game “Final Fight”.
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1990～
Corporate History
Accomplishments
1990Oct.
Stocks registered as OTC securities with the Japan Securities Dealers Association.
1990Dec.
Released “Final Fight” for Super NES.
1991Feb.
Purchased YUNIKA CO., LTD. and turned it into a 100% subsidiary.
Dec.
Changed the name of YUNIKA CO., LTD. to CAPTRON CO., LTD.
1991Mar.
Released the arcade video game “Street Fighter II” and it triggered the “Street Fighter II” boom.
19921992Jun.
Released “Street Fighter II” for Super NES, and it was a mega-hit.
1993Jul.
Established CAPCOM ASIA CO., LTD. in Hong Kong for distribution of Capcom’s products in China and Southeast Asia.
Oct.
Stock was listed on the second section of the Osaka Stock Exchange.
1993Apr.
Released “Breath of Fire” for Super NES.
Jul.
Opened “CapcoCircus Nigata East”, the largest arcade in Nigata.
1994May
Constructed Ueno facility in Mie.
Jul.
Constructed head office, which was relocated to Uchihirano-machi, Chuo-ku, Osaka.
1994Aug.
Premiere of the animated movie “Street Fighter II”.
Dec.
Premiere of the Hollywood movie “Street Fighter”.
1995Jun.
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.
1995Apr.
Began broadcasting the TV animation “Street Fighter II V”.
19961996Mar.
Released “Resident Evil” for PlayStation, a long selling title which had record breaking sales, and established the genre of survival horror.
1997Apr.
Established FLAGSHIP CO., LTD. with a view of game scenario creation.
19971999Sep.
Stock changed listing to the First Section of the Osaka Securities Exchange.
1999Jul.
Released “Dino Crisis” for PlayStation, and it was a mega-hit.
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2000～
Corporate History
Accomplishments
2000Oct.
Stock was listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
200020012001Jan.
Released “Onimusha” for PlayStation 2, and it sold over a million copies, a first for a PlayStation 2 title.
Aug.
Released “Devil May Cry” for PlayStation 2, and it was a mega-hit.
Oct.
Released “Phoenix Wright” for Game Boy Advance, and it drew public attention as a courtroom battle title.
2002Nov.
Established CE EUROPE LTD. in U.K.
2002Mar.
Began broadcasting the TV animation based on the hit title “Mega Man Battle Network”.
Mar.
Premiere of the Hollywood movie “Resident Evil” which recorded sales of 102 million dollars worldwide.
©2002 CONSTANTIN FILM PRODUKTION GMBH/NEW LEGACY FILM LTD
2003Feb.
Established CEG INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT GmbH in Germany.
200320042004Feb.
Entered the publishing business and released the first strategy guidebook for “Onimusha 3”.
Sep.
Premiere of the Hollywood movie “Resident Evil: Apocalypse” and it grossed 100 million dollars worldwide.
Oct.
“Monster Hunter” won the grand award at the 8th annual CESA GAME AWARDS.
20052005Jan.
Began accepting visits to the company from elementary and middle schools as an educational support activity.
Mar.
Premiere of the animated movie “Mega Man”.
Jul.
Released “Sengoku BASARA” for PlayStation 2, which enjoyed popularity especially among young gamers for its innovative worldview.
2006Jun.
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.
CAPCOM CO., LTD. and the DWANGO group co-found DALETTO CO., LTD., responsible for managing a portal site.
2006Jul.
Capcom and TOMY COMPANY, LTD. co-launch “Wantame Music Channel”, a card game machine geared towards girls under 10.
Aug.
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.
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.
2007Mar.
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.
CAPCOM CO., LTD. acquires FLAGSHIP CO., LTD.
2007Mar.
“Monster Hunter Freedom 2” becomes the first Japanese PSP software to exceed 1 million units shipped.
Jun.
Began performing guest lectures at elementary and middle schools as an educational support activity.
Nov.
The Hollywood movie “Resident Evil: Extinction” was released. Its box-office revenue exceeded 147 million dollars.
©2007 Sony Pictures Entertainment(J) Inc. All Rights Reserved.
2008May
K2 CO., LTD. becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary through a simple exchange of stocks.
Jul.
CAPCOM ENTERTAINMENT FRANCE, SAS is established through the acquisition of all of its shares by CE EUROPE LTD.
Nov.
Acquired 90% of shares of ENTERRISE CO., LTD. for the purpose of developing, designing, producing and selling gaming machines.
2008Oct.
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.
©CAPCOM CO., LTD. / Resident Evil CG Film Partners
20092009Feb.
Hollywood movie “Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li” was released worldwide.
Feb.
Takarazuka Revue Company launches theatrical performance of “Ace Attorney: Truth Reborn”.
©TAKARAZUKA REVUE COMPANY / ©CAPCOM
Mar.
“Plaza Capcom Inazawa” opens in Aichi Prefecture.
Apr.
Began broadcasting the TV animation program “Sengoku BASARA”.
©CAPCOM / TEAM BASARA
May
Released “Resident Evil: Degeneration”, Capcom’s first title for the iPhone.
Jul.
“Sengoku BASARA” stage performance commences.
Jul.
Initial shipments of “Monster Hunter Tri”, a third-party title for the Wii, surpass one million units.
Oct.
“Sengoku BASARA” character Date Masamune used for PR activities in support of the Miyagi Prefecture gubernatorial elections.
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2010～
Corporate History
Accomplishments
2010Aug.
CAPCOM GAME STUDIO VANCOUVER, INC. is established in Canada through the acquisition of all of its shares by CAPCOM U.S.A., INC.
Oct.
CAPCOM GAME STUDIO VANCOUVER, INC. acquires BLUE CASTLE GAMES INC. by buying all its shares.
2010Apr.
Launched distribution of “Resident Evil 4: iPad Edition”, Capcom’s first title for the iPad.
Aug.
Distribution of Capcom’s first social game “MONHAN NIKKI MOBILE AIRU MURA” on DeNA’s “Mobage-town” platform.
Sep.
The Hollywood movie “Resident Evil: Afterlife 3D” was released and earned 300 million dollars at the box office.
©2010 Sony Pictures Entertainment(J) Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Nov.
Distribution of social game “Smurfs’ Village” for iPhone began. It became the top download in 62 countries aroud the world.
©Peyo – 2010 – Licensed through Lafig Belgium- www.smurf.com. All game code ©2011 Beeline Interactive, Inc.
Dec.
Released “Monster Hunter Freedom 3” for the PSP. It sold 4 million units faster than any other PSP game in history.
Dec.
“Monster Hunter X Shinshu Hot Springs” was held at the hot spring resort Shibu in Nagano Prefecture.
2011Mar.
CAPCOM CO., LTD. acquires DALETTO CO., LTD.
Apr.
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.
Nov.
CAPCOM U.S.A., INC. acquires CAPCOM ENTERTAINMENT, INC..
2011Apr.
“Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition” ships 1 million units as its first million selling title for Nintendo 3DS.
Aug.
“Monster Hunter the Real” was held at Universal Studios Japan (USJ).
Dec.
Released “Monster Hunter 3 (Tri) G” for Nintendo 3DS, which became the Capcom’s first title that sold one million units in Japan for Nintendo 3DS
2012Mar
Established BEELINE INTERACTIVE EUROPE LTD. in U.K.
Oct.
Established CAPCOM TAIWAN CO., LTD. in Taiwan.
2012Feb.
Premiere of “Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney”, the first live-action feature film in its series.
©2012 CAPCOM / “Ace Attorney” FILM PARTNERS
May.
Released home video game “Dragon’s Dogma”. Sold over one million units, unprecedented for a totally new brand.
Sep.
The Hollywood movie “Resident Evil: Retribution” was released and earned 0.24 billion dollars at the box office.
©2012 Screen Gems, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Oct.
Premier of CG movie “Resident Evil: Damnation”.
©2012 CAPCOM CO., LTD. / Resident Evil CG2 Film Partners
2013Jun.
Capcom Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary.
2013Apr.
“Sengoku BASARA” character Date Masamune used for Auto Break-in Prevention Program of Osaka Prefectural Police.
Dec.
Released “Monster Hunter 4” for Nintendo 3DS. It sold 4 million units with another “Monster Hunter Craze”.
Dec.
Released “Dead Rising 3” for Xbox One. It sold 1 million units as its first million selling title for Xbox One.
20142014Feb.
“Sengoku BASARA” characters, Sanada Yukimura, Maeda Keiji and Kuroda Kanbei, used for Auto Break-in Prevention Program of a joint campaign by the police departments of Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures.
20152015Mar.
Concluded a comprehensive agreement to promote local revitalization with Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture utilizing the character Takada Shingen from “Sengoku BASARA”.
Apr.
“Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate” is the first in the series to ship 1 million units overseas, breaking 3 million units total for the title.
Jul.
The Saitama Prefectural Museum of History and Folklore and “Sengoku BASARA” together held a special, first-of-its-kind collaborative exhibition.
Nov.
Opened first directly-operated character café, known as “Capcom Cafe”.
2016Jan.
Opened newly constructed R&D Building #2 in Osaka City.
Apr.
Reorganized Mobile business, changed Beeline Interactive Japan Inc. to Capcom Mobile Inc.
2016Apr.
Began broadcasting the TV animation program “Ace Attorney”.
©CAPCOM/YTV・A-1 Pictures
Oct.
Monster Hunter characters are featured for the first time in the Osaka Prefectural Police’s vehicle-related crime awareness campaign.
2017Sep.
CAPCOM CO., LTD. acquires CAPCOM MOBILE, INC.
20172018Apr.
CAPCOM CO., LTD. acquires CAPTRON CO., LTD.
Established CAPCOM MAINTENANCE SERVICE CO., LTD.Nov.
Established CAPCOM MEDIA VENTURES,INC.
2018Mar.
Sengoku BASARA is featured in traditional Japanese puppet theater, known as “bunraku,” for a first-time collaboration with games.
Aug.
Monster Hunter: World becomes the first Capcom game to ship 10 million units globally.
Oct.
Mega Man series character is featured in the Osaka Prefectural Police’s cyber-crime prevention awareness campaign for the first time.
20192019Feb.
Launch of Japanese esports league, Capcom Street Fighter League powered by RAGE.
Jul.
Street Fighter series characters are featured in the Osaka Prefectural Police’s cyber-crime investigator recruitment advertising for the first time.
Oct.
Monster Hunter Series Characters Utilized in Osaka Prefectural Police’s Cyber-Crime Prevention Awareness Campaign for the First Time.
Nov.
Opened Capcom Store Tokyo, the Company’s first showroom, which offers an assortment of merchandise featuring popular game series and characters.
2020Apr.
Established Adelion CO., LTD. in Japan and CAPCOM SINGAPORE PTE. LTD. in Singapore.
CAPCOM MEDIA VENTURES, INC. was merged with CAPCOM U.S.A., INC.
2020Jun.
Resident Evil Series Exceeded 100 Million Units Sold Worldwide.
20212021Apr.
Monster Hunter Rise surpassed 5 million units globally one week after its release.
Jul.
Began offering on-site classes online in Capcom’s educational support activities.
Aug.
Monster Hunter: Legends of the Guild, the first 3D animated movie adaptation of the popular Monster Hunter series, is streamed worldwide simultaneously.
©CAPCOM CO., LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Oct.
Resident Evil 7 biohazard surpassed 10 Million units sold worldwide.
Monster Hunter: World surpassed 20 Million units sold worldwide.
2022Apr.
Established Capcom Pictures, Inc. in the U.S.A.
Moved to the top-tier Prime market due to the restructuring of the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s market segments.
2022Apr.
Capcom entered into an official sponsorship deal with the Japan Volleyball Association (JVA).
Jul.
Monster Hunter used in collaborative event with Sakai City in Osaka.
Resident Evil 2 surpassed 10 Million units sold worldwide.
Aug.
Capcom signed sponsorship deal to be top partner of Cerezo Osaka.
Capcom entered into comprehensive agreement with Kashihara City in Nara Prefecture to utilize the Street Fighter series.
Oct.
Became an official partner of the 35th Tokyo International Film Festival.
2023Jun.
Capcom Celebrates Its 40th Anniversary.
Jul.
Made Swordcanes Studio Co., Ltd. a wholly-owned subsidiary.
2023Jan.
Sales of Monster Hunter World: Iceborne surpassed 10 million units worldwide.
Jul.
Musical Romance "The Great Ace Attorney – The Truth Comes Back to Life Anew" opens, marking Capcom’s first collaboration with the Takarazuka Revue in ten years.
©TAKARAZUKA REVUE COMPANY / ©CAPCOM
2024Apr.
Established Leostar Co., Ltd.
Jul.
Acquired 66.7% of the shares of Minimum Studios Co., Ltd. and made it a subsidiary.
2024May
Monster Hunter Series Exceeded 100 Million Units Sold Worldwide.
Jun.
Sales of Resident Evil Village surpassed 10 million units worldwide.
Dec.
Held a One-Year-Long Game Development Competition for the First Time Utilizing the Company’s Proprietary RE ENGINE.
20252025Mar.
Capcom Cup 11 held in Japan for the first time.
Monster Hunter Wilds has surpassed 10 million units sold within its first month of release.
