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Capcom blames 'fierce competitive environment' for mobile decline

Lack of major titles also an issue

Capcom blames 'fierce competitive environment' for mobile decline
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| Capcom financial news

Japanese game publisher Capcom (TYO: 9697) has announced its figures for the first half of FY13, the six months ending 30 September 2013.

Net sales across its console, mobile and arcade divisions were $540 million (¥53.2 billion), up 17 percent year-on-year

Net income was $50 million (¥5 billion), up 20 percent.

The reason for the company's strong performance included 2.8 million units shipped in Japan for Monster Hunter 4 on Nintendo 3DS.

Could do better

Capcom doesn't break out its mobile division as a separate unit as it did previously.

However, it stated that increased competition and the launch of the LINE social network in Japan was impacting sales.

Smurfs' Village from its western social/casual Beeline division is "providing stable income", but Capcom said that overall, mobile "did not achieve the expected level of sales ... due in part of a lack of major titles and the fierce competitive environment".

The company said it was reacting to these changes by increasing the ratio of its inhouse development and organisation reform.

During its FY12, Capcom Mobile generated around $117 million, something Capcom had hoped would increase to $132 million in FY13.

[source: Capcom IR]

Jon Jordan
Jon Jordan
A Pocket Gamer co-founder, Jon can turn his hand to anything except hand turning. He is editor-at-large at PG.biz which means he can arrive anywhere in the world, acting like a slightly confused uncle looking for the way out. He likes letters, cameras, imaginary numbers and legumes.