If the performance of the downloadable version of a title is any indication of how it will be received by the consumers once it officially hits the retail stores, then Capcom, as early as now, starts counting their chicks even before the eggs hatch.

That's because since Lost Planet: Extreme Condition's release in the Xbox Live just a couple of weeks ago, it has already been downloaded one million times by the global Xbox community. According to their numbers, 30,000 hours have already been spent by players worldwide locked in intense combat against those giant bugs in Lost Planet.

Said Hiroshi Tobisawa, Capcom president for Europe, "[This] is a great testament to the quality of Lost Planet. This latest demo has completely energized the Xbox community, giving them something to look forward to in the New Year, when the next big hit Xbox 360 title hits retail."

Smug. But hey, you can't really blame the guy if he turns out rather cocky and confident at this point with the future performance of the title. After all, the numbers do tell a lot. And the reviews, so far, have been nothing but raving. Apart from that, it isn't really surprising that gamers would be drawn dramatically to the demo, especially when you know that Capcom really lends out their listening ear and actually takes into serious consideration your comments and suggestions for the improvement of the game.

Now, that's mutual commitment.

Game comes out January next year.

Capcom today confirmed that the Leipzig Games Convention will mark the global debut for the multiplayer mode of Lost Planet, the action shooter for the Xbox 360. Showing in Capcom’s dedicated Lost Planet stand, visitors will be able to participate in highly intense four vs four team battles as they struggle not only against the opposing force, but the harsh conditions of the game’s ice-bound world. Leipzig Games Convention will showcase just one of the numerous multiplayer maps and modes that will compliment Lost Planet’s gripping single player campaign mode at its release in early 2007.

Interest in Lost Planet has been extremely high since the game’s debut in playable form at this year’s E3 and a demo being made available for download from the Xbox Live Marketplace. Hiroshi Tobisawa, President of Capcom Europe, commented: “Over 400,000 Xbox 360 owners have already downloaded the single player demo from Marketplace showing that Lost Planet is already a highly anticipated title. The multiplayer mode shows Capcom’s commitment to take full advantage of the Xbox Live service and deliver an absorbing multiplayer experience to its three million subscribers.” Having played the demo of Lost Planet I can't wait to find out how multiplayer will work with the game and if it is half as good as the single player campaign so far we'll all be in for a treat come 2007.