Capcom ready for Western competition

Will look to Japanese market, too

We've been hearing for nearly 12 months how Japanese game developers are increasingly lagging behind their Western counterparts, and now one Capcom developer has revealed that local publishers fear a Western onslaught on the Japanese games market itself.

Jun Takeuchi, producer of Resident Evil 5, has told Famitsu (via Joystiq) that Capcom are keeping a close eye on the "movements" of Western giants, with the Japanese games market expected to strengthen in 2009.

Early 2009 will of course see Takeuchi and co release Resident Evil 5 worldwide, but he is concerned that Japanese developers are preoccupied with Western releases, and are ignoring local tastes.

According to the game maker's hints, Capcom may in fact announce a few surprises this year, aimed squarely at their home-turf by the sound of things.

By Luke Guttridge