10 INSANE Video Game Risks (That Totally Paid Off)
8. Resident Evil Saves Capcom After Being Told To Cancel It
Capcom may be among one of the most beloved and illustrious developers in gaming today. Their back catalogue is long and wonderfully varied, and it's all thanks to taking chances.
In 1993, in order to diversify their portfolio, young developer Shinji Mikami was made lead on a new horror project despite his hatred for being spooked. The idea, of course, was that he would use his fearfulness to craft something fresh and effective.
But during the early 90s, the studio was facing near-extinction. Despite some huge successes, the sales of constant Street Fighter II revisions and Mega Man sequels were dwindling. According to Itchy, Tasty: An Unofficial Guide to Resident Evil by Alex Aniel, Capcom hired an American financial consultant to evaluate their business. With the fledging Biohazard three years into production, helmed by a relative unknown, the consultant suggested scrapping the untested project and hedging a safer bet elsewhere.
Tokuro Fujiwara, the game's producer, insisted that Capcom see development through. Mikami didn't learn of the near-cancellation of his game until nearly a decade later.
By this time, of course, it's success was more than assured. Resident Evil absolutely devoured the company's sales expectations upon release and saved them from financial disaster. Capcom estimates that the Resi franchise has moved over 124 million units worldwide to date, in part thanks to Fujiwara's belief in the game.