From an Osaka arcade-machine maker to the studio behind Street Fighter and Resident Evil
QUICK FACTS
Est. 1979 — best known for video games including Street Fighter and Resident Evil.
HISTORY
Capcom's predecessor, I.R.M Corporation, was founded in 1979 in Matsubara, Osaka by Kenzo Tsujimoto to manufacture and sell arcade game machines. The company was reorganized and renamed Capcom Co., Ltd. in 1983, a name derived from 'Capsule Computers' — reflecting the goal of packing computer entertainment into arcade cabinets.
Capcom built its early reputation on arcade hits before Street Fighter II (1991) ignited the competitive fighting-game genre worldwide, and the Mega Man series established it as a top console publisher. Resident Evil (1996) created and popularized the survival-horror genre, and the company later added long-running franchises such as Monster Hunter, Devil May Cry, and Ace Attorney, with Resident Evil and Monster Hunter now ranking among the best-selling video game series of all time.
PRODUCTS
Fighting game series; Street Fighter II (1991) defined the genre
Survival-horror series launched in 1996, one of Capcom's best-selling franchises
Cooperative action-RPG series with over 100 million units sold
Long-running action platformer series since 1987
TIMELINE
This page is compiled from publicly available company history and is provided for general reference only. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please consult the brand's official website.