Capcom held a live webcast for Megaman's 22nd Anniversary yesterday, in which viewers were able to ask Keiji Inafune about his plans for the series. The following is from a IGN summary of the online event:
 

He was asked about the possibility of returning to the Mega Man X series doing 16-Bit style graphics. Inafune said he'd consider it if he had the time, but also added he's looking to do something different with the famous Blue Bomber. 

"I love the series and I'd love to make a game like that, but you have no idea how busy I am," Inafune said. "I'm glad the fans love the X series, but I think before I make a return to that series, I want to do something completely different with Mega Man." 


"Once I have the time, then maybe I can think about another Mega Man X game," he added. 


As for returning to 16-bit graphic style, Inafune said the return to 8-bit with Mega Man 9 and 10 allowed him to do what he always wanted to do with the graphics, adding, "8-Bit is where Mega Man was born." But Inafune said maybe sometime in the future he'll look at going 16-bit. 


He was later asked about developing a 2D Mega Man title with the same level of detail as VanillaWare's Muramasa and Odin Sphere titles. "That's a good idea, cause the graphics in those games are good, but as a designer and creator, if I did copy that style, it would be imitating, he said. 


"It's not proper manners to steal." 


He was also asked about a new Mega Man Legends 3 and Mega Man Powered Up 2. Inafune said "If Ben Judd produces it, we can have a Mega Man Legends 3," he said jokingly (we think). Judd was the producer for both the latest Bionic Commando: Rearmed and Bionic Commando. 


As for another 'Powered Up' title, Inafune hinted we'll see a sequel. "We liked doing the games, there's a very strong possibility you'll see another 'Powered Up' game," he said. 


Lastly, Inafune was asked about 3D Mega Man titles. He said its tough to make the jump to 3D with the series because so much of its design is based in a 2D playing field, and added its hard to fine tune to that type of gameplay. 

I thought Megaman X was suppose to be lame... at least according to someone else.

I wonder if they will ever decide to bridge the gap between the Megaman and Megaman X series? The suspense is killing me!!!

" I wonder if they will ever decide to bridge the gap between the Megaman and Megaman X series? The suspense is killing me!!! "

That defiantly got my hopes up a bit for a Legends 3. By far my favorite Mega Man series and would love to see it continued. I don't think they have aged well so a new one would be interesting.

" That defiantly got my hopes up a bit for a Legends 3. By far my favorite Mega Man series and would love to see it continued. I don't think they have aged well so a new one would be interesting. "

" @Godwind: Source?  "

if they don' t make megaman x9 NOW they are seriously missing the opportunity to fully realize the original style of the game with 3D graphics.... they tried with x7 & x8 [hell i enjoyed them both, beat the shit out of them HARD] but the attempt still felt kinda... empty.. maybe it's the campyness of sci-fi anime storylines... they need to take megaman to a dark place.... people's emotions need to get involved here.  megaman is probably my favorite game character ever but he's certainly lost his appeal to me over the years as i went from being a little girl to a woman.  i want a megaman for the new grown-up me.  i want a megaman story to break my heart... kill everyone!!!!! haha i'm so morbid n_n; 
 
linky you totally knew i'd respond to this lol

" if they don' t make megaman x9 NOW they are seriously missing the opportunity to fully realize the original style of the game with 3D graphics.... they tried with x7 & x8 [hell i enjoyed them both, beat the shit out of them HARD] but the attempt still felt kinda... empty.. maybe it's the campyness of sci-fi anime storylines... they need to take megaman to a dark place.... people's emotions need to get involved here.  megaman is probably my favorite game character ever but he's certainly lost his appeal to me over the years as i went from being a little girl to a woman.  i want a megaman for the new grown-up me.  i want a megaman story to break my heart... kill everyone!!!!! haha i'm so morbid n_n;  linky you totally knew i'd respond to this lol "