At the TGA last December, Capcom announced a sequel to “Master”. This news shocked many people. Not only because the original game is 20 years old, but also because everyone has long believed that Capcom was dissatisfied with the sales performance of “Okami”. However, IGN’s recent interviews with the production team revealed that Capcom has actually already realized the value of “Okami” and has just been waiting for the right time.
Really can’t sell it? The sales myth of “The Great God”
In 2006, “Master” was first released on PS2. At that time, we reported that its sales volume was only about 270,000 units. For a work from a major manufacturer, this is obviously not an eye-catching number. In addition, multiple interviews have also mentioned that poor sales of “Master” may be one of the reasons for the closure of developer Clover Studio. These factors have led to widespread belief that Capcom views Okami as a commercial failure.
But time has proven everything. “Master” continues to launch new versions on major platforms, from Wii, PS3, PS4 to Switch. Each transplant has gradually increased its popularity and sales. As of today, the total sales of this series have exceeded 4.6 million units, including the HD version. This “long tail effect” is quite rare. Capcom producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi also mentioned in our interview:
“We found that the sales model of “Master” is very special. Generally speaking, the sales volume of games will decrease over time, but “Master” has continued to grow steadily, which made us realize that its IP has unique vitality.”
Why is now the time for Master 2?
According to Hirabayashi, Capcom has always been interested in making “Okami 2”, but it needed “key people” to be in place, which took some time. He’s referring to Machine Head Works, a studio that boasts several Okami veterans, including Kiyohiko Sakata. Another key figure is Hideki Kamiya, the soul of “Big God”. He left Capcom in 2006 to found PlatinumGames, and established a new company, Clovers, in 2023. Now, he’s teaming up with Capcom and Machine Head Works to create Okami 2.
Kamiya said in interviews that he had always wanted to make a sequel, but it wasn’t planned when he left PlatinumGames. He said that the key to truly promoting this game is the enthusiasm and support of players:
“From PS2, PS3, PS4 to Switch, every time I see a new version released, fans still enthusiastically support it, which makes me deeply touched. Moreover, the peripheral products of “Master” have been selling, which proves that the popularity of the IP still exists.”
“It was everyone’s voice that promoted the birth of this project. Without this support, “Master 2″ would not have come true. So, I sincerely thank you all!”
This time it’s really coming!
From the so-called “commercial failure” back then to now with 4.6 million sales and fans constantly calling for a sequel, the journey of “Master” is legendary. Now that Capcom has finally officially launched “Master 2”, it is not only a response to players’ expectations, but also the best proof of the influence of this game.
20 years later, “The Great God” will be reborn again. This time, the gods will come again and the world will be illuminated by light again!
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source:IGN