Capcom to launch three Facebook-connected iPhone games as soon as October

Capcom
Capcom, famed developer of the Street Fighter and Mega Man series, is currently developing three iPhone games with Facebook connection that could launch as early as October, according to Capcom President Haruhiro Tsujimoto. While details are extremely scarce on what these games could be, "two of the games will have our original content and one more will include licensed characters," Tsujimoto said today at Tokyo Game Show.

Capcom is looking to capitalize on the popularity of games on Facebook and News Corp.'s MySpace, a market ThinkEquity LLC estimates will triple to $2 billion by 2012 in the U.S, according to Bloomberg BusinessWeek.

What's even less clear about this news is what level of connection to Facebook these games will have. If they simply support Facebook Connect like a majority of popular iPhone games, then these games probably won't be anything too groundbreaking. But, if the three games support Facebook connectivity on a level that, say, Zynga's FarmVille does on the iPhone, this could be huge for both Osaka-based Capcom and the social games industry.

You're gonna' get a free mobile social game, Charlie Brown!

Perhaps Charlie Brown isn't hopeless after all. Snoopy and the gang are going social, thanks to a partnership between Capcom and Peanuts Worldwide. More specifically, Capcom's new mobile division, Beeline Interactive, will develop a new "freemium" game for smartphones and tablets. However, all we know about the game at this point is that it's slated for a fall release and will include Peanuts staples like Charlie Brown, Lucy and, of course, Snoopy.

This move comes hot off the heels of the (perhaps too) wild success of Smurfs Village for iOS devices and Zombie Cafe, both developed by Capcom. Now, the Japanese developer will hand off the duties to Beeline as it pursues its ... manlier franchises like Street Fighter and Resident Evil. According to Pocket Gamer, Beeline plans to release three other mobile games in around the same time frame: Smurfs' Grabber, Dream Park and Monster Pet Shop.

However, it's also important to note that Iconix Brand Group, which now owns the Peanuts brand, is taking the iconic cartoons-turned-traditional holiday specials way farther than just mobile social games. The Peanuts theme park rides are now featured in Amazement Park, a Facebook game created by Cedar Fair Amusement Parks, owner of 11 theme parks nationwide. Certainly more Facebook adventures for Snoopy aren't out the realm of possibility. All we hope is that they involve at least one epic battle between Snoopy and The Red Baron--at least one.

Are you excited for a Snoopy mobile social game by Capcom? How do you hope Beeline will handle the Peanuts in their very own mobile game?

Very Good Grief: Snoopy's Street Fair is Charlie Brown's iPhone debut

Nope, no dogfights between Snoopy and The Red Baron just yet. And based on the title of Beeline Interactive's (Capcom's mobile games arm) iPhone game surrounding The Peanuts, Snoopy's Street Fair, we doubt there will be any. But that's OK, because based on these brand new screens that were just released, it looks like the game might be a hoot regardless.

It appears that this freemium iPhone game adaptation of the iconic comic strip (and don't forget those ABC specials!) will take the property management approach in its homage to Snoopy and the gang. It looks like players will guide Charlie Brown as he builds a bustling street fair from scratch, adding new booths, carnival games and kitschy attractions to level up.

Basically, judging from these images, Snoopy's Street Fair won't be a far cry from one of the studio's first releases under Capcom, Smurfs' Village. Players will be given hints or quests on how to advance their little fairs from supporting characters in the Peanuts world like Peppermint Patty through classic phone call gags. If you notice, the characters still don't own cell phones, a welcome touch of authenticity to the world Charles Schulz created.

Gallery: Snoopy's Street Fair on iPhone
In fact, the entire game embodies the late and great cartoonist's artwork so well, that it looks like one of Sunday's Peanuts strips come to life. In addition to running their fair, players will partake in mini games like roasting marshmallows against a timer to sate Snoopy's sweet tooth. According to Capcom, Snoopy's Street Fair is slated for a November release. So, hopefully by then Beeline can somehow squeeze in a mini game involving Snoopy piloting his dog house ... somehow.

Are you psyched for Snoopy and the gang's iPhone game debut? Are you interested in how the game is looking to play out so far--a property management game? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment