But for a Japanese company like Capcom looking to break into the West where the Xbox brand is strong, the Xbox 360 was the ticket, according to Resident Evil 5 executive producer and industry vet Keiji Inafune. Convincing his peers that supporting the Xbox 360 was the right way to go, however, wasn't so easy, as the console's potential was unknown.
On Capcom's investor relations website in a public relations interview, Inafune was asked about rumors that there was initially "some disapproval" about developing for Microsoft's console.
"Yes that’s true," Inafune confirmed. "I think I can only get away with saying this now, but I really thought that the using the Xbox was only way to break into overseas markets, and I took that hypothesis all the way. In the end, I am very happy that I did so."
Early in the Xbox 360's life, Capcom released the new IPs Dead Rising and Lost Planet, on which Inafune was a producer. Both went on to be million-sellers.
"I think the success of these two titles was a major achievement for our company. That the Xbox 360 was such a big hit, and the products that we made for the overseas market were so well received was extraordinary," Inafune said.