Capcom has revealed a fascinating secret about the early days of resident Evil requiem, the highly anticipated next main entry in the iconic survival horror franchise. Development initially explored a drastically different path, starting life as an online game concept, complete with potential open-world elements. However, studio leadership ultimately pivoted the project back to its roots, recognizing that this online direction wasn’t aligned with fan desires for the series.
This significant shift offers unique insight into Capcom’s development process and their responsiveness to community expectations. It highlights the challenges of evolving a beloved franchise while staying true to its core identity. The final version of Resident Evil Requiem promises a return to intense, single-player horror, a genre the series helped define.
Unearthing Resident Evil Requiem’s Abandoned Online Roots
The journey of Resident Evil Requiem, known internally during early stages as RE9, began around 2017. Initial concepts explored a format vastly different from the traditional single-player experiences the series is known for. Developers experimented with ideas centered around an online game, potentially incorporating open-world mechanics.
This early iteration was reportedly envisioned as the “opposite” of the first-person Resident Evil 7, which successfully reignited the franchise’s survival horror focus. Rumors from series insiders suggested that veteran protagonists Leon S. Kennedy and possibly Jill Valentine were considered for this initial online concept.
Why Capcom Walked Away From the Online Vision
Speaking in a developer diary, Resident Evil Requiem Director Koshi Nakanishi confirmed these early experiments. He acknowledged the time spent testing online and open-world concepts. While some “interesting concepts” emerged, the crucial realization came when they determined these directions were simply “not what fans wanted to see or play.”
This led to a significant decision: abandoning the online game entirely. The project underwent what has been described as a “pretty heavy reboot” around 2021, roughly when Resident Evil Village was released. This pivot allowed the team to return to the drawing board and craft the single-player horror experience that is now Resident Evil Requiem. Director Nakanishi also shed light on the decision to drop Leon S. Kennedy from the protagonist role in the final version, stating that a character with Leon’s combat prowess is a “bad match for horror” because they wouldn’t react realistically to sudden, terrifying threats. This focus on realistic fear highlights the studio’s commitment to the survival horror genre.
The pivot away from an online model isn’t entirely surprising given Capcom’s mixed track record with multiplayer Resident Evil titles. While games like the original Outbreak have a cult following, more recent attempts like Resident Evil Re:Verse, Resistance, and Operation Raccoon City have struggled to find widespread, lasting success compared to the main single-player entries.
Embracing Pure Survival Horror: The New Direction
With the online concept shelved, Resident Evil Requiem solidified its identity as a “single-player offline game.” This return to form emphasizes intense, curated horror experiences over multiplayer interaction or expansive open environments. The focus shifted to crafting a compelling narrative and atmosphere for a solo player.
The game introduces a brand-new protagonist: Grace Ashcroft. She is an FBI analyst with a personal connection to the series’ past, revealed to be the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft, a playable character from Resident Evil Outbreak.
Director Nakanishi noted that Grace is intentionally designed with little to no combat experience at the start. This deliberate choice allows players to witness her vulnerable state and experience her growth throughout the game. Her journey from an “introverted” analyst to a survivor is intended to resonate deeply with the horror themes, as her lack of combat skills makes her reactions to terrifying situations more relatable and enhances the sense of danger.
The Goal: Cultivating “Addictive Fear”
Capcom is aiming to push the boundaries of fear in Resident Evil Requiem. Director Nakanishi stated their intention to take the emphasis on fear established in Resident Evil 7 “a step further.” The goal is to create what he terms “addictive fear.”
This concept means designing experiences that are genuinely scary but also compelling enough to make players want to continue. Curiosity about the unfolding story, a desire to overcome terrifying challenges, and the satisfaction gained from learning from mistakes and surviving are key components of this design philosophy. Players will feel scared but be driven by a powerful urge to explore the environment and confront the horrors within.
A Blend of Perspectives and Classic Horror Feel
Adding a modern twist to the traditional formula, Resident Evil Requiem will offer players the flexibility to switch between first-person and third-person camera perspectives. This feature, successfully integrated into Resident Evil Village via post-launch content, allows players to choose their preferred way to experience the horror.
Early previews of the game indicate a strong start for this new direction. Impressions describe the opening sections, potentially set in a “gothic hospital,” feeling very much like the first-person experiences of Resident Evil 7 and Village. Navigating dimly lit corridors with flickering lights casting unsettling shadows reportedly delivers on the promise of traditional survival horror.
Setting the Stage: Raccoon City’s Lingering Scars
The narrative of Resident Evil Requiem returns to a location steeped in franchise history: Raccoon City. However, the game is set 30 years after the city’s devastating bombing in the events of Resident Evil 3. Grace Ashcroft arrives as an FBI analyst investigating a perplexing series of mysterious deaths occurring within the scarred metropolis. This setting provides a fresh angle on a familiar, tragic location, exploring the long-term consequences of the biohazards that ravaged it decades prior.
Looking Ahead: Release Details and Growing Anticipation
Resident Evil Requiem is officially slated for release on February 27, 2026. It will launch simultaneously across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC platforms.
The game was formally announced at The Game Awards and recently featured in the Capcom Spotlight Showcase, where new gameplay footage was revealed. Initial hands-off impressions from press previews have been positive, describing the game as getting off to a “strong start.” Capcom itself describes Resident Evil Requiem as representing a “bold shift for the franchise,” not in terms of genre, but in its focused return to pure, single-player survival horror and its innovative approach to character and fear. The reveal of its unexpected online origins only amplifies the anticipation for the final, refined product.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the initial concept for Resident Evil Requiem before it became a single-player game?
Capcom originally explored concepts for Resident Evil Requiem (RE9) starting around 2017. These early ideas centered on developing the game as an online experience, potentially including open-world elements. Insiders suggested it might have featured veteran characters like Leon and Jill and was designed as the “opposite” of Resident Evil 7‘s first-person horror.
Why did Capcom change Resident Evil Requiem from an online game to a single-player title?
Director Koshi Nakanishi explained that while they experimented with online concepts, they ultimately realized these directions “weren’t what fans wanted to see or play.” Recognizing that the core audience preferred the traditional single-player survival horror format, Capcom made the decision to scrap the online version and reboot the project around 2021 to focus on a pure, offline horror experience.
Who is the protagonist in the final version of Resident Evil Requiem and where is it set?
The protagonist of Resident Evil Requiem is a new character named Grace Ashcroft, an FBI analyst. She is the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft from Resident Evil Outbreak. The game is set in Raccoon City, but takes place 30 years after the city was bombed during the events of Resident Evil 3. Grace is investigating a series of mysterious deaths occurring there.
