Inafune explains Capcom's Xbox 360 push

The Xbox 360 is consistently outperformed by the Wii and PlayStation 3 in Capcom's native Japan, but its popularity in the West is undeniable. According to managing executive Keiji Inafune, it was this fact that led Capcom to heavily support Microsoft's console with timed exclusives such as Dead Rising and Lost Planet, as well as multiplatform efforts such as Devil May Cry 4.

"I think I can only get away with saying this now, but I really thought that using the Xbox was the only way to break into overseas markets, and I took that hypothesis all the way," said Inafune. "In the end, I am very happy that I did so." Inafune's comments came by way of an internal interview posted today to the publisher's official Web site.

One of the more dramatic controversies of 2007 was Capcom's decision to abandon PlayStation exclusivity for its Devil May Cry franchise. The move inspired many an irate PS3 owner to flood the publisher's official forums with messages decrying the decision, with more than 10,000 gamers signing an online petition pledging to boycott future Capcom games. In the end, however, the strong blowback was for naught, and DMC4 went on to achieve multiplatinum sales shortly after its release. The game was later released for the PC.

Though Capcom initially released both Dead Rising and Lost Planet as console exclusives for the Xbox 360, they have subsequently been ported to other systems. A year on from its initial showing on the Xbox 360 and PC, Lost Planet was ported to the PS3. Two and a half years after its debut on Microsoft's console, the paired-down Dead Rising: Chop 'Til You Drop arrived for the Wii.

Capcom is currently working on both Dead Rising 2 and Lost Planet 2. However, unlike their predecessors, both games have reportedly been slated from the beginning as multiconsole efforts.