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Capcom Producer Keiji Inafune won't be pigging out on fine Swedish meatballs at the Nordic Game conference, due to swine flu concerns. GI.biz reports a Nordic Games spokesperson was informed that Capcom has a "corporate policy restricting foreign travel" during the current media-hyped pandemic. Capcom also mentioned that a dog ate Inafune's plane ticket ... not really, but it's just as viable an excuse.

Taking Inafune's spot at the conference will be Team 17's Martyn Brown. So, the guy with a severe case of Worms is taking over for the one afraid of catching piggy flu?

As the daddy of the Blue Bomber, you'd expect Keiji Inafune to know a thing or two about the Mega Man canon, and readers of the Capcom blog got the chance to test his knowledge in a interview, in which Inafune quickly set about clarifying series minutiae.

Other subjects broached include the prospect of Mega Man appearing in not-Mega Man genres (in short, don't be expecting Mega Man Kart in the near future, and let's all be thankful for that), Inafune's fondness for photography (which influenced Dead Rising), and co-op Mega Man (which, argues Inafune, would be "close to impossible" with the current style of the series). He also mentions that he'd be happy to see Mega Man in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and that's not the first time Inafune has dropped that particular hint. Surely the robo-boy is a shoo-in for the next game?


[Via Joystiq]

It's hard to actually use the word lore in association with Mega Man. That's a word we generally save for Star Wars, Star Trek, Middle Earth and maybe LOST, but it's appropriate when pertaining to series character designer Keiji Inafune's mini-Q&A with the Capcom blog. In it, Inafune (who also produced Dead Rising and the Onimusha series) answers important, nitpicky questions about Zero's ability to kill, the relationship between Zero and Sigma and its significance and Dr. Wily's (non) presence in the Mega Man X series.

Also noted is that, given the chance, Inafune would've loved to see Mega Man in Smash Bros. Brawl. What you won't see, however, is Mega Man with co-op multiplayer. "I think this is quite difficult--even close to impossible with the current style of Mega Man," he said. Our suggestion: Player 1 moves, Player 2 aims the arm. Use some cheesy plot device about Mega Man's arm being possessed. Hey, it worked in Metal Gear Solid.

Next month's CESA Development Conference (CEDEC) in Tokyo will feature keynote presentations from Shigeru Miyamoto and Capcom producer (and Mega Man creator) Keiji Inafune. Miyamoto's talk, "From where should we create?" (or something like that), will look at the development process of Wii Music, the philosophy of game production and "universal design," and the small problems that come up every day.

Inafune's talk has yet to be outlined, but he is producing the boldly retro-minded Mega Man 9. A keynote about the challenges of strictly limiting yourself technologically could be interesting. It'll probably end up being about the Lost Planet movie, though.

[Via Develop]

Beyond some crappy scans and lots of speculation, real info on the WiiWare return of Mega Man has been scant. Well, GamesRadar just opened the flood gates with its exclusive, proper reveal of Mega Man 9, featuring a hands-on by Nintendo editor Brett Elston and an interview with series creator (and MM9 producer) Keiji Inafune.

Elston reports that Mega Man 9 is ... well, it's essentially an NES game – just as difficult as the original 8-bit installments of the famed series. "Mega Man 9 is easily on par or above the hardest games in the series," Elston says, adding: "Hell, we played for two hours and only made it to three bosses, and even then only beat two." Read on after the break for more new info.

One lucky fan got his black DS Lite signed by Mega Man creator Keiji Inafune at the recent New York City event, and thanks to him, another "lucky" fan will be able to buy it. Not only did Inafune scribble on the device incomprehensibly, he drew an adorable rendition of one of the series' signature enemies, the Metool/Mettaur/Hard Hat/whatever they're calling the little guy these days.

The current bid is only $50, which is a steal for any DS Lite, much less one bearing the mark of one of the most influential figures in game history. The price will no doubt change as people like us publicize this.

[Via GameSniped]

Chances are, you've played one of Keiji Inafune's games. He created and designed the Mega Man character, produced the Onimusha games, and most recently worked on everybody's favorite zombies-attack-mall action game, Dead Rising. If you happen to be in the NYC area, you, a mere gaming mortal, will be able to meet this esteemed game producer.

The signing will happen at the GameStop across the street from the Manhattan Mall. Joystiq will be sending one photo journalist to the event, camera (and chainsaw) in hand.

Mmmmm, angry brains. Despite what we've been told, apparently Dead Rising 2 is not in production according to a Game Informer interview with producer Keiji Inafune. Inafune says that it is something he would "love" to make, but his responsibilities at the moment don't allow for that kind of time. He says Dead Rising 2 is a title being considered by Capcom Japan and if they announce it, he would want to produce, but he doesn't clearly state that the game is on hold because he wants to be the one to do it.

Sad news for Dead Rising fans who were probably expecting an announcement that the sequel would be around sometime late next year. Despite being successful in the States and Europe, Inafune's Dead Rising and Lost Planet didn't do so well in Japan. Maybe it's time for Microsoft to apply a little pressure with Capcom on behalf of those who don't really care about Monster Hunter Freedom 2 and want a little more Frank West in their life ... we know MS knows how to spend money for what they want.

Keije Inafune, who broke away from the legacy of Mega Man with Dead Rising and Lost Planet, says a next-gen Mega Man would be a financial gamble. He estimates a next-gen title starring the blue bomber would cost approximately $15 million. This is the part where it gets weird. Inafune says that from a producer standpoint he's worried about recouping the cost of development and more than once says he's waiting for someone rich to come along and fund it -- and it doesn't have to be Capcom.

"I'm not even saying it has to be Capcom money. It could be EA, actually. I should say a company we have ties with, so maybe Rockstar," Inafune said in an interview with 1UP (video after the break). He believes, from a producer standpoint, the financial risks are too great to make a new Mega Man and says, "Realistically, I would have to say, I would be worried if it would recoup the money we spend."

After that the interview turns into questions about Mega Man Legends 3 and having Inafune draw for the reporters. It is interesting to see the man behind the blue bomber say that a next-gen Mega Man would be a financial gamble. Has the series lost any type of solid financial backing? Is Capcom taking a breather from spending money and upgrading the series to next-gen by focusing on other IPs? Could Inafune just be sick of doing Mega Man? What we do know is that Inafune has plenty on his plate right now with sequels to Dead Rising and the rumored Lost Planet follow up.

During the recently-concluded GDC 07, Keiji Inafune (do we really need to tell you who he is?) talked about the problems of porting new-gen titles over to the Wii. First, he commented on the possibility of bringing over engines from two of the company's latest new-gen games, Dead Rising and Lost Planet. The possibility, it turns out, is non-existent, as he said these titles' engines were optimized for cross-platform use.

What will take their place? The Resident Evil 4 engine, it would seem. While Keiji commented that the industry is really craving photorealistic graphics, he is still interested in creating the types of franchises that enjoy iconic mascots, such as Mega Man. Mr. Inafune even commented that Capcom is working on a secret project, to be revealed at a later date. He did not comment, however, if the title would be for the Wii.

[Update: loltypo. Thanks, Markus!]

Capcom marketing specialist Brain Dunn has posted an "exclusive" interview with co-worker Keiji Inafune, Mega Man creator and one of Lost Planet's executive producers. While we shouldn't overlook Dunn's access to Inafune as a potentially convenient PR moment, the conversation is not without its honest details. Within, Inafune offers his insight into Capcom's resistance to expanding its content for a worldwide audience, revealing managements' initial rejection of the Lost Planet and Dead Rising concepts. "Actually for a while there we were practically on the verge of having the projects cancelled," Inafune told Dunn.

Having convinced Capcom to invest in these properties -- both now commercially successful -- Inafune believes the company is entering a new era; in the same line as past milestones Street Fighter II and Resident Evil. "I think Dead Rising and Lost Planet have helped established Capcom not just as a Japanese developer, but as a developer that is on par with, and that can compete with, the top developers in the US," offered Inafune; important because the producer believes "western developers are leading the industry, with Japanese developers falling behind."

Inafune suggests that Japanese companies need to improve working environments, imagining that western developers aren't nearly as over-worked or underpaid as their Japanese counterparts. He muses that by coupling an American "quality of life" with Japanese "diligence" (and selflessness) Japan can turn things around -- with some risk-taking too. "There are more titles like [Lost Planet] in store for fans: risky, challenging games, with a lot riding on them," promised Inafune.