Capcom might pull out of E3 due to swine flu :(

[A-J]

http://kotaku.com/5260236/capcom-japan-may-pull-out-of-e3

well this royally sucks.

Looks like Capcom's travel lockdown may not be confined to just Keiji Inafune and Malmö, Sweden. Turns out Capcom Japan may yank all international travel over swine flu fears, which would include, yes, E3.

Capcom have told British trade site Develop that the Japanese branch of the company are yet to commit 100% to attending the upcoming trade show, as they are still mulling over the decision in the wake of a swine flu outbreak in the Keihanshin area, in which Capcom's head office (in Osaka) is located.

Now, if this goes ahead - and it's still an "if", since a final decision is yet to be made - it would not mean that Capcom would pull out of the event. Capcom's US and European branches would be more than capable of manning the booths and showing off the games.

It would just mean that Capcom's Japan-based personnel, like Keiji Inafune and Ben "Hot Tub" Judd, may not be making the trip.

Capcom USA have not responded to our request for confirmation on this, so we've turned to Capcom Japan for answers. We'll update when we hear more.

Capcom Japan undecided on E3 attendance [Develop]

[WeskerSexyCheez]

... And they can't wear flu masks because...?

Actually, I don't see why they can't just wear gas masks like HUNK's. That would actually be kind of cool.

[kevstah2004]

According to our media in the UK the masks don't do jack to protect you anyway.

[WeskerSexyCheez]

According to our media in the UK the masks don't do jack to protect you anyway.

That's because the media love to scare people... I wouldn't be surprised if that's bull. Besides, if you've been to Japan, you'll see they love their flu masks. They like to work and go to school even when they've got a cold, so you see them a lot.

[Red-Jackal]

Actually, I should have seen this coming; as on random I muse about Capcom's heightened sensitivity to pandemics/biohazards.
"SWINE FLU???????? LEVEL 6??????? ZOMGZOMBIEEZ? D8"

You'd think being the zombie/biohazard enthusiasts they are, that the company would have fashioned them some high-tech prevention gear already.

[A-J]

kinda strange that them being creators of a series that's based around viral infections, they should have known better precautions than most other people anyway.

[James]

kinda strange that them being creators of a series that's based around viral infections, they should have known better precautions than most other people anyway.

Because, you know, Resident Evil is so realistically made when it comes to the scientific side of things and we could apply everything we learnt from the series to real life accurately and without fail.

[A-J]

sarcasm detector not working i see ;)

[Helegad]

I suppose it is a bit of an overreaction. I'd hate to be the person that wins the E3 ticket from them, when Capcom won't even be there. What a let-down

[Zombie Fred]

I suppose it is a bit of an overreaction. I'd hate to be the person that wins the E3 ticket from them, when Capcom won't even be there. What a let-down

Capcom will still be at E3.

[xfactor]

Kotaku should really re-read their source before they post the news.

A spokesperson for Capcom confirmed to Develop that Inafune will not be attending Nordic, and stated that Japan’s tough travel regulations has impacted on Capcom Japan’s options for E3.

“I can’t tell you right now who from Capcom Japan is attending E3,” said the spokesperson. “A decision on who from Japan is coming will be made nearer the time.”

Capcom did however clarify that it will still have a big presence at E3, with US and UK teams certain to attend the show.

Capcom themselves haven't decide who to go in place of Inafune. What's there to confirm for them?

[A-J]

someone should edit the title and add in Japan after Capcom since i sort of missed it, which may have caused some confusion :p

[A-J]

Capcom are still going, but Dead Rising 2 will not be at E3

http://kotaku.com/5262805/swine-flu-outbreak-kills-dead-rising-2-e3-appearance

Much anticipated Capcom title Dead Rising 2 will now not be shown at this year's E3 thanks to a Swine Flu outbreak in Osaka, Japan, Capcom told Kotaku.

"Our Capcom guys are not coming to E3 because of the Japanese government restrictions," said Capcom's Chris Kramer, Senior Director, Communications and Community. "The company is taking the advisory very seriously."

Japan currently advises its citizens to restrict international travel, but people can still travel if they want to. The government there reported Tuesday that they've had 191 confirmed cases of Swine Flu, more than in any other country other than the US, Mexico and Canada.

Kramer said the company, which is headquartered in Osaka, laid in a supply of surgical masks and hand sanitizers a month or so ago, to try and cut down on possible illness in the company. The country has closed more than 4,400 schools, colleges and kindergartens for the week. The first case of the flu in the country was reported in Osaka.

While Dead Rising 2 will no longer be at the show, all of Capcom's other expected video games will be there, Kramer said. The decision to not show Dead Rising 2 was driven by the fact that Capcom's Keiji Inafune and other developers based in Japan will not be making the trip.

While Canadian-based Blue Castle is developing Dead Rising 2, Inafune is the executive producer and keeps a close eye on the game's development.

"Dead Rising 2 is the only game we won't be able to showcase at E3, because it's at an early stage of development and the team is not comfortable having anyone else demo the code," Kramer said.

We are reaching out to other Japan-based developers to see if anyone else has decided to cancel their E3 showings, but we understand Capcom is the only developer taking that step.

[Guest]

oh... how bad, I really wanted to see more of Dead rising 2, but still, if it's because it's in an early stage, then it may be beter, we would have seen really little of it if it went to E3, and for very little I prefere nothing at all

[James]

sarcasm detector not working i see ;)

Nah, I usually use punctuation and, you know, grammar to decide whether someone's being sarcastic and you hardly ever provide any of that.