Before the official reveal of Resident Evil Requiem at this year’s Summer Game Fest, rumors had swirled around the next installment of the iconic survival-horror franchise. The most intriguing of these rumors suggested that Capcom was venturing into uncharted territory with an open-world approach. 
Fans were curious about how the traditionally linear Resident Evil series might evolve into a more expansive, free-roaming experience. But the truth behind these rumors is far more than just idle speculation.
In a recently unveiled extended version of the Resident Evil Requiem Creator’s Message video, director Koshi Nakanishi confirmed that Resident Evil 9 was initially planned as an open-world game. In fact, Capcom spent a significant amount of time experimenting with the concept before deciding to take the game in a different direction.
“You might have heard some of the rumors,” Nakanishi said. “Things like an online Resident Evil or an open-world Resident Evil, which we spent some time experimenting with. But in the end, although we had some interesting concepts, we realized that it wasn’t what fans wanted to see or play. So we went back to the drawing board and created what led to Resident Evil Requiem.” With this statement, it becomes clear that Resident Evil 9 almost took a very different path before Capcom decided to return to the series’ core roots.
Producer Masachika Kawata further elaborated on the shift, emphasizing that Resident Evil Requiem is “an offline single-player game,” a decision that resonates strongly with fans of the series. In an era where online and multiplayer elements are often forced into traditionally single-player franchises, it’s refreshing to see Capcom acknowledge the importance of staying true to what the fans want. This shift of focus mirrors other well-known cases in gaming, such as Dragon Age, where a misguided attempt to push a live service model was quickly rethought too late in development.
The behind-the-scenes journey of Resident Evil Requiem, with its open-world experiment and eventual return to the franchise’s signature single-player experience, offers a hopeful outlook for fans eagerly awaiting the next installment. As Capcom continues its impressive streak of successful releases, we can trust that this decision will pay off, promising an unforgettable experience for long-time players.