Capcom moved a small step closer to a potential buy-out this week after shareholders voted against renewing takeover defense plans. The plan had been put in place to prevent any one investor from controlling over 20 percent of shares.

With shareholders deciding not to renew those measures, the Japanese publisher and developer is now potentially closer acquisition. However, no such move is reported to be on the cards as of yet, and the company has stated it will oppose any hostile takeover bid.

Capcom has seen better years, notable struggling to adapt to what is seen as an increasing westernisation of the Japanese market. However, it still does hold a handful of key franchises, perhaps none more important than the Monster Hunter series, which has found its home on Nintendo platforms in recent times.