CAPCOM

Ever since their very first release in 1984, Capcom have managed to establish themselves as the most widely respected video game developer in the world. They have produced more than their fair share of groundbreaking titles - and while they are far from being alone in that respect, they are arguably the only house to have navigated three decades of videogaming history while consistently excelling at everything they do. Every game house has a bad day now and again, but somehow Capcom have always managed to maintain an exceptionally high standard for every single release; earning themselves a well deserved reputation of infaillable quality and stlye.

Having started off exclusively as a designer of arcade games, Capcom have steadily been expanding thier repertoire to include the home market, be it through high quality conversions of their most successful arcade titles, original home productions of their own, or by acting as Japanese publisher for successful Western releases. The Capcom of today is definately aware of their arcade heritage: the late 80s - early 90s remain their most creatively successful period; it was then that their most successful series came light: from Street Fighter to the Rockman, Makaimura or Vampire series, they have influenced the arcade game genre more than any other comany. Thus they remain, for good or ill, the undisputed masters of the arcade game.

Capcom's roots can be traced as far back as the late 70s, and a small electronics venture named 'I.R.M. Corporation'. The company set up shop in the Matsubara district of Osaka in May 1979, with the intention of developing and selling electronic game machinery. In May 1981 I.R.M. opened a small development subsidiary named 'JAPAN CAPSULE COMPUTER Co., Ltd.', and by September of the same year, changed their name to 'SAMBI Co., Ltd.', while moving into more spacious officies in Habikino prefecture.

The company enjoyed a very unique business climate: in the late 70s Japan was enjoying a massive economic boom, and the demand for electronic and mechanical entertainment was increasing at a phenomenal rate. Games like Space Invaders (1978), Galaxian (1979), Pac-Man (1980) and Donkey Kong (1981) had created an all-new industry of their own: the arcade room. So Sambi re-structured and decided to attack this new opportunity head-on: in June 1983 the 'Capsule Computer' name was shortened to 'CAPCOM Co., Ltd.', and in October the company opened their Tokyo officies in Shinjuku. By May 1984 their very first production was ready, and emerged from the Capcom development studio in the form of Vulgus, the first Capcom arcade game to bear the name.

Senjo no Ookami (1985)
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Makaimura (1985)

Having effortlessly established themselves as a home developer to be reckoned with, Capcom's arcade output continued to excel as the 80s drew to a close. 1988 saw the introduction of the 'Capcom Play System' (CPS) arcade board, a dedicated hardware template that was to play host to some of the finest video games ever produced. Some even go as far as arguing that this was the 'real' golden age of arcade games. Forget about Pac-Man, Galaga and Xevious - it's all about Lost Worlds, Daimakaimura, Strider Hiryu, Area 88, 1941, and Final Fight.
And they wouldn't be far from wrong: each and every one of these titles is a masterpiece of design, and a milestone of gaming history. Not just that - each and every one of them is being played and enjoyed right now, as we speak, in arcades and homes all around the world. Their appeal has completely transcended their age: people are still trying to master every stage, perfect the finer elements of their gameplay, or chase the world's highest score.
Now there aren't many games that can claim to retain such appeal, 18 years down the line. A lifetime for some - but then again games like Final Fight can take a lifetime to master.