While some may not appreciate it, downloadable content is what’s helping Capcom maintain their revenue from traditional games.
In an earnings report and Q&A for the first quarter of their ongoing fiscal year, Capcom reported that, while packaged software sales in Q1 were lower than expected, DLC sales helped make up for it. DLC sales increased from 700 million yen in Q1 2011 to 1 billion yen in Q1 2012.
Downloadable content was one of the primary factors driving revenue from both older and new titles. In particular, Capcom say that DLC had a favourable effect on Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City and Dragon’s Dogma, as far as new games go.
As previously reported, Capcom forecast an increase in DLC sales from 2.8 billion yen ($35 million) in their previous fiscal year to to 3.5 billion yen ($43.8 million) for their ongoing fiscal year, which ends on March 31st, 2013. Capcom have said that, while packaged game sales themselves won’t see an increase beyond a point, factoring in DLC will account for growth, making it an important source of revenue.
In another part of their Q&A, Capcom say they still feel confident about their goal to sell 7 million copies of Resident Evil 6 by the end of March 2013.
“We actively showcased Resident Evil 6 at E3 and other game shows to overall positive reviews, and we believe we are in a position to positively achieve our 7 million target,” Capcom stated with regard to Resident Evil 6’s forecast.
