The Madman's Cafe

News from 03/19/2001

Official Public Statement made by Capcom

The following is the Official Public Statement made by Capcom Co.
-Translation: H. Moriarty

"Today, there have been some reports by the media that our company will be withdrawing from the arcade game software market. These reports are not official announcements made by our company, and are not formal decisions made at the current time.

Though our company will cut down on the arcade department in the next fiscal and focus on the home console market, we will also continue to provide software for the arcades as well."

[ For the Original Public Statement (Shift JIS), Click Here ]

Neo Geo World -Tokyo Bayside, to close down

SNK has announced today that their amusement park, "Neo Geo World Tokyo Bayside", will be closing down after 3/31. The last major venture project before its acquisition by Aruze, SNK's Tokyo Basyside Neo Geo World has been opened for 2 years now, since its debut in 3/19/99.

As a special service, the "amusement passport" which allows for enterance and unlimited rides, will be sold for the low price of 2200 Yen (normally 3200 Yen). One free game of bowling at the "Neo Geo Bowl" and one hour of free Karaoke at "Karaoke NeoStage" will be added as a bonus as well.
[ Related: SNK ]

G-time: Comments by Capcom's Securities Business Division on Nikkei's report

(Data Frontier: G-time) Capcom's Securities Business Division has made clear on the 19th that their company Capcom, will be cutting down on the arcade game market and shift towards home console software.

The Nikkei reported that Capcom will be withdrawing from the arcade market and shifting to the home market. Capcom's Securities Business Division denied parts of the report, quoting "(We) never used the word 'withdraw'. ...Shifting (management resources from arcade to home console) has been decided, but (we) have not decided to withdraw."

In terms of arcade game development, Capcom's Securities Business Division quotes, "(We) will continue development on games currently on the production line. ....There are plans for new development on a few titles as well."
[ Link: G-time ]

Bloomberg Japan: Nikkei's report of Capcom Arcade withdrawal, not effecting stocks

Bloomberg Japan Has followed up on the Nikkei Journal's report of Capcom's arcade withdrawal, with comments from Capcom's Executive director Heiji Oshima as well.

[ More Details ... ]

The Nikkei Journal also to Report of Capcom Arcade withdrawal

The Nikkei Journal- the Japanese counterpart to the Wall Street Journal, has also reported today (3/19) of Capcom's withdrawal from the arcades. The details are identical to what has been reported yesterday by the Nikkei Telecom 21, as both are from the same Nikkei Group.

Note: The Nikkei has also reported that sales of older games will be continued for a while, after withdrawal from the arcade market.
[ Related: Nikkei ]


	NTT EG: Details on Tokyo Game Show "Capcom vs SNK PRO" Tournament

	(NTT Publishing - EG) Details on the upcoming "Capcom vs SNK PRO" tournament at the Tokyo Games Show have been released. There will be two variations of tournaments, noted below. Both tournaments will take place at the Capcom Booth. As noted previously, the tournaments will be played with "Capcom vs SNK PRO", a minor fix version of the original game with two additional characters. Capcom vs SNK 2 will also be available on display as well. "CAPCOM VS. SNK MILLENNIUM FIGHT 2000 PRO" Special Match Open! 3/30(Fri), 3/31(Sat), 4/1(Sun) - Starting 3:30 PM "CAPCOM VS. SNK MILLENNIUM FIGHT 2000 PRO" Challenge the Network Battle! 3/30(Fri), 3/31(Sat), 4/1(Sun) - Starting 11:00 AM [ Link: NTT EG ]