Is Capcom already the best AAA developer of 2026?

Capcom is having a hugely successful year, and we’re not even halfway through it yet. In the span of six months, Capcom have released three successful titles. Two of those are from established IPs: Resident Evil and Monster Hunter, and they continue to foster goodwill with their fans through well-made games. With this level of trust from their audience, Capcom took a risk that developers in the AAA world have failed to achieve: launching a brand-new IP.

It comes as no surprise to Capcom fans that they are the GOATs of AAA development. They have a level of consistency when it comes to delivering fun experiences that are tailor-made for the players who love them. In the last couple of years, Capcom have locked in on releasing games that align with their core audiences. They’re not straying too far from what has worked for them in the past, and this tactic is proving to be successful. When I think of gaming companies that have achieved this, Blizzard comes to mind. They were pioneers of video game genres and presented an industry standard for their games. In recent years, they’ve lost that edge of innovation, which is a shame. Meanwhile, Capcom have also had a similar influential run to Blizzard, while managing to keep their ship steady.

Upon reflection, Capcom has been Blizzard’s counterpart when it comes to defining genres. They launched the fighting game boom of the 90’s through Street Fighter II, and for a second time in 2008 with Street Fighter IV. Resident Evil birthed the survival horror and is still, to this day, is the greatest of its genre. It hasn’t stayed stagnant either. Resident Evil 4 was a massive hit, taking the original formula but giving it an action spin. Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village, moved away from the action hero model and made the horror up close and personal through first-person gameplay. Resident Evil Requiem innovated again, with a blend of helpless survival combined with the adrenaline of action. To make this transition seamless, they executed it through dual protagonists.

Some might think it’s bold to suggest Capcom is the reigning champion of this genre. Silent Hill has followed close behind, but it has never been as prolific as the Resident Evil series. Finally, Monster Hunter’s action RPG formula of hunting monsters has never been truly challenged. Once again, Capcom is the frontrunner of its own innovation. There are many other games in Capcom’s catalogue, but it’s safe to say that these three series are the bread and butter.

We’re seeing Capcom’s impact on the industry in 2026. Street Fighter 6 continues to be the most popular fighter within the genre. It recently broke the world record for tournament attendance at Evo Japan, with a massive 7,168 entrants. This is the largest tournament for a fighting game in history. This is an impressive feat on its own, but let’s remember: Street Fighter 6 came out in 2023. It’s smashing records three years into its life cycle. Another record was broken with Resident Evil Requiem becoming the fastest-selling game in the franchise, selling over five million copies in its first five days. There’s a clear appetite for the series following the success of 7 and Village. Leon is a popular character, so he might have had an influence on the game's success. On a personal level, I can say with certainty that Resident Evil 4 is my favourite in the series and Resident Evil 4 Remake was also the fastest-selling game in the franchise when it launched, now dethroned by Requiem. Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection proved successful. While the overall sales data isn’t available, it did reach third on the Steam sales chart at launch, suggesting enough popularity to back its “Very Positive” reviews.

It goes without saying that Capcom is becoming a dominant force in gaming. These established franchises are proving popular with their fans, and this year has already been a success. Capcom could happily take their wins from these IPs, yet Capcom took a risk in launching a brand-new IP - Pragmata.

Pragmata, upon writing this article, has hit 2 million sales worldwide just 21 days after release. The action-adventure title combines fast-paced combat with a deep narrative core. Diana has become a fan favourite character and will likely become the face of the franchise moving forward. The 12,000 reviews on Steam have boasted an “Overwhelmingly Positive” score, with fans delighted at its “Happy Dad” vibes, appreciating its stark contrast to The Last of Us and God of War. It looks like video game fans want positivity in their downtime, and Pragmata is pioneering this subgenre.

Pragmata could already be this year's Game of the Year contender, and there’s still plenty of time to go. Capcom has proven they’re both consistent and bold when it comes to launching titles. Onimusha makes its return to the AAA spotlight later this year with Onimusha: Way of the Sword, perhaps influenced by the success of games like Nioh and Black Myth: Wukong. Capcom is currently three-for-three when it comes to success this year. Can Onimusha land a home run and make Capcom the most successful AAA developer of 2026? We will soon find out.

Nicholas Christensen-Secker