Capcom released its fiscal year 2018 financial report.

Net sales grew 8.4% year-over-year to ¥ 94.5B ($851.6M).

The company singled out esports as a key growth opportunity moving into the next fiscal year.

Japanese game developer Capcom has released its fiscal year 2018 financial report, announcing a fifth consecutive year of operating income growth.

Net sales grew 8.4% year-over-year to ¥ 94.5B ($851.6M).

Operating income increased 14.5% year-over-year to ¥16B ($144.5M).

Net sales projection for fiscal year 2019 is ¥96B ($865M)

In its financial report, Capcom singled out the success of Monster Hunter: World as a key contributor to the company’s growth. On the other hand, Capcom reported that sales of its primary competitive gaming release for the year, Marvel vs Capcom: Infinite, were “soft.” Despite the success of its story-driven IP and the relative struggles of its esports-focused release, Capcom emphasized the potential impact of esports on the company’s future.

Related Article: Ubisoft Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Earnings Report: Record Sales and Esports Engagement

Earlier this year, Capcom CEO Kenzo Tsujimoto released a statement to investors proclaiming 2018 as the company’s “Esports Year One.” Capcom’s financial release echoed this sentiment, stating that not only had esports grown in popularity in other regions like the United States, Europe, and China, but that were opportunities to “develop this new business domain in Japan, a region that trails other countries,” are increasing. Specifically, Capcom cited the success of Street Fighter V as an esports title both in Japan and abroad.

Looking forward to fiscal year 2019, Capcom intends to focus on growing and monetizing its esports business. The company is working to develop a dedicated esports division. In February, Capcom established the Capcom Esports Club as part of its Plaza Capcom arcade in Kichijoji, Japan, aiming to expand its presence into arcades throughout Japan later this year.

With no other competitive titles announced at this time, Capcom seems to have put all of its esports eggs in the Street Fighter basket. Marvel vs Capcom has been left off of the Capcom Pro Tour, Capcom’s professional circuit, and was not mentioned anywhere within Capcom’s esports-focused comments. Street Fighter V remains a leader in the fighting game esports scene, and Capcom recently announced sponsored tournaments for games in its Street Fighter 30th Anniversary collection.