Capcom has started its fiscal year on a strong note. The Japanese publisher announced today that net income for its first quarter ended June 30 rose 290.2 percent from the previous year to ¥1.32 billion ($16.88 million). Net sales for the period jumped 55.8 percent to ¥18.62 billion ($238.2 million).

Capcom called out a number of properties as contributors to its bottom line, including Dragon’s Dogma, which the company reiterated has now shipped 1 million copies worldwide. Capcom said the game “struggled” abroad following its release in May, but “exceeded expectations” in the domestic market.

The publisher also said sales of this caliber have “set the stage” for Dragon’s Dogma to become a series. This follows news from last month, when Capcom said it plans to develop the original fantasy role-playing game into a major franchise. Additionally, game director Hideaki Itsuno said at the beginning of this month that a full sequel would be developed, provided the fan support is there.

Capcom also updated figures for Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, saying the coldly received third-person shooter has now shipped 450,000 units across the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.

Danny investigates a rumoured leak of September’s MW3 DLC, and takes a look at Retro/Grade, which is due out on August 21.

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Los Angeles, California will continue its run as the host city for the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo through 2015, the Entertainment Software Association announced today. The organizing body also announced that E3 2013 will take place on June 11-13 at the Los Angeles Convention Center and surrounding venues.

Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said he was actively involved in negotiations to keep E3 in the southern California city. “My office was committed to doing whatever it took to keep the largest annual conference that the city hosts here for another three years,” he said in a statement.

The annual gaming gala has been held in Los Angeles for 16 of its 18 years of existence. Other host cities have included Santa Monica, California (2007) and Atlanta, Georgia (1997).

The new three-year agreement with the ESA and the city of Los Angeles also makes sure that E3 will “continue as scheduled” during the major construction plans for downtown LA, including groundbreaking on the new Farmers Field.

In June, ESA president Michael Gallagher said E3 might relocate in 2013 if issues over the construction were not resolved. At the time, he said “if we can’t resolve them, we are preparing to go elsewhere.” The ESA did not identify which locations it was scouting for a possible move for E3, but San Francisco, New York, Chicago, and New Orleans were reportedly candidates.

5 new shots posted.

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