Former Capcom Employee Says Competitors Waste Time On Jira

Key Points:

• Capcom stands out as a successful exception in the struggling video game industry, maintaining a healthy balance between creativity and management, according to journalist Lewis Gordon's review at The Ringer.
• A former US-based Capcom employee criticizes Western studios for overemphasizing project management tools like Jira, which can hinder game development by focusing too much on timelines and charts rather than player experience.
• Capcom rebounded from early 2010s missteps, such as the poorly received Resident Evil 6, by producing critically acclaimed titles like Resident Evil 7 and innovating within classic franchises like Street Fighter and Monster Hunter.
• The company supports creative risk-taking and original projects while mixing experienced staff with new talent, avoiding the short-term profit pressures that have led to turmoil and layoffs at competitors like Xbox.
• Capcom's approach contrasts with the micromanagement and focus on immediate quarterly returns prevalent in many Western studios, which can stifle innovation and long-term success.