Inafune’s departure from Capcom in 2010 was a shock to the gaming community. In this exclusive interview, he talks about his departure, his new company and his hatred of Capcom.
Play4Real: Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to speak with us.
Inafune: No problem. I would first like to promote my new game.
Play4Real: Go right ahead.
Inafune: Coming to Android, you will soon find a game called J.J. Rockets. It is a side scrolling game that is free to play. Please take a look.
Play4Real: We sure will, once we get an Android device.
Inafune: Do you have Apple? It will come out soon on iOS as well.
Play4Real: I don’t have either.
Inafune: You are missing out on the biggest market for games today.
Play4Real: I honestly don’t care much for the smartphone gaming world.
Inafune: Then you’re an idiot.
Play4Real: How so?
Inafune: You aren’t looking at the big picture. Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft all need to all get their heads out of the sand and look at the future that is smartphone gaming. Everyone, at least people who aren’t idiots, has a smartphone. You have the largest consumer base at your hands.
Play4Real: Smartphone games don’t have as much depth as games on dedicated consoles do.
Inafune: Enjoy it while it lasts then. In a few years, they won’t exist. There are two things that will happen that will ensure their destruction. One, consumers will get tired of spending money on machines that just play video games. Two, game development on dedicated consoles will no longer be profitable.
Play4Real: How strongly do you believe in this?
Inafune: Strongly enough to leave Capcom and start my own company.
Play4Real: Let’s talk about that for a bit. What made you decide to leave Capcom?
Inafune: They’re a piece of shit company.
Play4Real: Strong words.
Inafune: Well it is god damn true and you know it. They took Rockman DASH 3 (Mega Man Legends 3 in the West) out of my hands. I knew it before the project would get cancelled. That is why I left.
Play4Real: That is really shocking if true.
Inafune: I overheard a conversation between some higher ups soon after the initial announcement of the game. They knew they could not fund this game. Capcom had already ran the numbers supposedly and found that it would be an unprofitable game for them. However, they could not back down due to the fan reaction for the game. They put in this bullshit plan of “producing” a prototype that would “not be received well” and put those forward as reasons for cancellation rather than reveal the real reason.
Play4Real: I can’t believe it.
Inafune: Me neither. Just as shady as their DLC practices. I’ll say it again, Capcom is a piece of shit company.
Play4Real: I assume this is why you decided to form your own company.
Inafune: I wanted to be in control of my own destiny. And now I am.
Play4Real: How is game development different at Comcept?
Inafune: If you see the projects we have put forth, we only focus on handhelds and smartphones. I still believe, at least for now, in the dedicated game handheld as long as they are cheap. Nintendo was too greedy and Sony is too stupid.
Play4Real: I noticed the use of “was” and “is” in that sentence, can you explain?
Inafune: Nintendo priced the 3DS way too high. They at least corrected their mistake while on the other hand, Sony made something way too expensive with the Vita. Its game development costs are close to the levels of console game development. It’s unsustainable.
Play4Real: How about Soul Sacrifice?
Inafune: It’s a partnership between us and Sony. They’re funding it. I get to make the game I want. It’s fine for me. If I could, I would not care about money and make the games I want to. It’s a dream that doesn’t work in reality, but at least I get to live part of it here.
Play4Real: We’re almost out of time here but before we go, I would like to hear about your opinion on Rockman’s status nowadays.
Inafune: He’s on life support. That smartphone game they have is not going to work. They put no effort into it. I would love to play with him again, but it’s a choice I made when I left Capcom.
Play4Real: Thank you again for your time.
Inafune: No problem.
