Resident Evil Requiem Was Originally an Online Open-World Game Before Capcom Changed Direction
Resident Evil Requiem, the highly anticipated new chapter of the iconic horror saga, could have been something very different.
In a new development diary video posted on Capcom’s official website, game director Koshi Nakanishi revealed that in the early stages of development, the team had experimented with both an open-world structure and an online multiplayer format. “We had some interesting concepts,” said Nakanishi (via VGC), “but in the end, we realized that it wasn’t what fans wanted to see or play.” This led to the decision to start from scratch and build a single-player experience that was more faithful to the spirit of the series.
The Shift Away from Multiplayer
The first rumors of a Resident Evil 9 multiplayer game emerged from a report by Dusk Golem, a well-known insider close to the saga, who revealed that a project had been in development since 2017, featuring iconic characters like Leon Kennedy and Jill Valentine.
This game was intended to represent a sharp break from the more horror-focused, first-person approach seen in Resident Evil VII: Biohazard and Resident Evil Village. However, it underwent a major reboot in 2021, shortly after the release of Resident Evil Village. Now, we know that these experimental ideas did not pan out, and Capcom has decided to focus on what fans love: intense single-player experiences with a strong narrative component.
Resident Evil Requiem was revealed at the Summer Game Fest 2025 and will be available on February 27, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
