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Following Kazuhiro Tsuchiya’s departure in 2022, Shingo Izumi has taken on a larger role in guiding Mega Man's future as the franchise's new lead producer. With Star Force Legacy Collection out the door and Dual Override still in development, the immediate roadmap is clear.
But in a new interview with 80 Level, Izumi also spoke a bit about how Capcom is thinking about the series as it approaches its 40th anniversary.
With Mega Man approaching its 40th anniversary, how do you see the franchise evolving? What role do projects like Legacy Collections play in shaping its future alongside new titles?
Shingo Izumi: We intend to continue expanding the fan base while carefully preserving the appeal and value of the brand and pursuing new challenges. Our immediate focus is to ensure the success of Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection and Mega Man: Dual Override, and to build a strong foundation that connects to the future.
At the same time, we believe that collection titles play a significant role in revitalizing a brand, while also serving an important purpose in preserving and passing down game culture as part of its historical legacy. Ideally, we would like to release new titles and collection titles consistently, alternating between the two over time.
Izumi's interest in alternating between new titles and collections may offer the clearest hint yet at what Capcom wants Mega Man's release cadence to look like going forward. If they can follow through, that kind of consistency would go a long way toward supporting its goal of growing the series into a core IP. While the current “evergreen” approach has helped sustain the franchise in recent years, the demand for new games sooner rather than later is clear.
For more from Izumi and comments from Koji Oda, including some behind-the-scenes discussion about Star Force Legacy Collection, you can read the full interview at 80 Level.
Let's say they do that. And the next collection is released the year after dual override. And for arguments sake, let's say that it Is NOT Legends. What would they release that is substantial? What series collection isn't available on a modern console? With that said, are they going to release Legends and then be done with collections?
ReplyDeleteUnless, the key is in the wording? What if the next collection, is not a "legacy" collection? But a remaster or remakes of old titles in a modern way, with a modern take. Would that sell?
I think that would definitely work in favor of games that are a bit meatier, say, Command Mission.
DeleteThere are still plenty of games that haven’t been included in collections: Rockman & Forte (SFC and WS versions), colored versions of the Game Boy games, Xtreme 1 and 2, Command Mission, HD versions of Rockman Rockman and Irregular Hunter X, Mega World, EXE WS, Battle Chip Challenge, Network Transmission, Rockman 8 (Saturn), Rockman X3 (CD version), etc.
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DeleteLol kinda random imo, but ok I guess. That means we can look forward to like...1 or 2 new games at best? Anything not in a collection would be what? The Gameboy games, legends series(which they apparently dont wanna do for whatever reason) and Command Mission? Unless they are going to try and give us battle and chase and mm soccer or something in a collection? Lol.
ReplyDeleteLike decent idea, but several collections a bit late imo.
...or are we getting the next Gen consoles soon? Or are they planning on just waiting that long to do anything with megaman? See ya in 203x! Lol.
Well, I’m glad they’re starting now, even if they should’ve done this from the start, or at least after XLC… And yeah, I think “collection” here might be closer to “more derivative, lower budget title.” Maybe even something like 9/10, or a genre spinoff? Ah, I shouldn’t get too excited. Realistically, there can’t be more than a few LC’s left in the tank, maybe he just means the relatively short term future.
ReplyDeleteI'd be okay with this in theory. A new game takes more effort than a collection (not that collections don't take work, particularly with qol updates and remastering things), but helps keep the franchise in the public consciousness. That being said, aside from Legends and, like, Command Mission (WHICH I WOULD LOVE A RERELEASE FOR), what else could really be rereleased? I guess a remake of the PSP remakes could work. It would probably be a little odd since we already have the Classic and X collections, but could conceivably be done. It'd be nice to have an official, non-GBA scrunched English release of Mega Man & Bass, but that alone would not a collection make.
ReplyDeleteI'd be okay with them digging into the vault and releasing more obscure stuff, like a non-mobile port of Xover or that weird poker game, but I think the odds of those getting released are pretty small, and I'm not sure those would be a big draw to non-superfans. Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of NOT having to wait another decade to get a new game, I just don't know how this would work practically. But the fact that they're, however vaguely, acknowledging plans for future games is good to hear.
I could see them making a more “miscellaneous” collection, like the first Castlevania Anniversary Collection. Could have the World games and Mega Man & Bass, and maybe the genre spinoffs like Mega Board and Battle & Chase (optional English voice acting, please?). Then another for X, with Powered Up rolled in just because.
DeleteAdmittedly, I kinda miss when there was more variety in a single collection. Lately we’ve just been getting *one* series from *one* console.
I'd kill for remakes of Phantom and Legend of Network; kill two birds with one stone on the new game and preservation front with that idea alone.
ReplyDelete"My involvement with the Mega Man series began around 2023."
ReplyDeleteTurns out there was no vacuum after Tsuchiya's departure after all
As long as these new games aren't all Classic series sequels, I can't complain. Don't get me wrong, I love Classic, but I feel like Capcom has been playing it safe over the years by releasing sequels like 9-DO.
ReplyDeleteI also think they could make a lot of bank with remakes, especially after the success of modern remakes that have released. More specifically, I'd LOVE for them to continue the MHX series and include OVAs that tell the events before the games. Like imagine a prequel OVA for X4. That would be awesome. Also, since 2-6 were slated for remakes before being canceled, they should definitely add X7 to that.
I don’t understand why Rockman Corner or The Mega Man Network never get interviews with the guys from Capcom Japan. It’s always other sites that get those interviews (what even is 80Lv?). Why doesn’t Capcom speak directly to the fan communities? It would answer a lot of questions. What’s the explanation?
ReplyDeleteIt's a case by case thing. I had access during Mega Man 11. But "fan sites" are not on their priorities right now. Other press outlets take precedence (for this game) for one reason or another.
DeleteI just don't see any additional Legacy Collections aside from Legends working out. Taking the time to localize obscure Japan-only titles or spin-offs that never sold well are likely not on Capcom's priority list. A new take on the canceled MM Mania for GBA is the only other one I can foresee MAYBE having a shot of a successful run if it's done right and not just a 1:1 emulation.
ReplyDeleteRemakes aren't a guaranteed win either. Like Protodude says, maybe some "meatier" games like Command Mission or Legends are doable, but both Powered Up and MHX were commercial failures, so that likely left a bad taste in Capcom's mouth and lowers the prospects of further remakes.
I think realistically, barring an entirely new series, Classic and X are likely the only ones we can expect to see new releases for moving forward and Capcom will continue to tread carefully to ensure any investment will actually pay off.
Remakes can work. In regard to Powered Up and Maverick Hunter X, I think the commercial failures was due to them being released on PSP.
DeleteThat definitely played a part, but I don't think it changes the fact that it likely served as enough of a cautionary tale for them to not bother trying it again.
DeletePlus I think it'll be a hard sell to casual fans, paying $30-40 for an NES or SNES game with some nicer graphics slapped on.
There isn't much left to collect outside of Legends, the GB/GG games, and then miscellaneous games. I'd love to see them, but I don't know how anything outside of the first two sells to anyone but the most hardcore fans. Give us new games.
ReplyDeleteEXE series has plenty of spinoffs, like WSC games, Network Tranmission, 4.5, OSS and they could even add the mobile games if generous. Give it a catchy name like EXTRA EXE and I'm sure it'd sell.
DeleteMy brother in Christ, what collections are left? You have no current plans for a Legends Legacy Collection, so that only leaves obscure spin off games and PSP remakes. The Arcade games are already preserved in another collection along with Battle and Chase.
ReplyDeleteYes there are enough games for more collections but only if you start combining series together.
PSP Legacy Collection (2 games). Mobile Games Legacy Collection (X-Over and some ports) Flip Phone Games Legacy Collection (like 5 tiny games) Genre Hopping Legacy Collection (Command Mission, Network Transmission) Where would you even put Super Adventure Rockman? Assuming you'd have the effort to bother to translate it and remaster it.
Outside of a Gameboy collection, anything else worth preserving would make up a collection of 2-3 mismatched games. This plan made sense 10 years ago. Not in current day after you already exhausted all the major collection ideas.
Which collection for B&C, are you talking about the GameCube Anniversary Collection? Cause that one is super old at this point and AFAIK at least, Battle and Chase isn't on any of the collections on console or PC?
DeletePower Battle and Power Fighters physical soon : https://limitedrungames.com/collections/all-games/products/switch-limited-run-324-capcom-arcade-stadium-vol-2
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