Charting a New Path for Resident Evil

With the 30th anniversary of the Resident Evil franchise underway, executive producer Jun Takeuchi has shed light on Capcom's long-term vision. The company is currently operating on a dual-track development strategy: the numbered entries drive the core narrative forward, while the ongoing remake series invites fans to rediscover the past. Since the successful relaunch of Resident Evil 2 in 2019, Capcom has steadily updated its catalog, with Code: Veronica next in line for a modern reimagining.


The Impending Convergence

The central question facing developers is what happens when the remake project finally catches up to the timeline of the newer, numbered titles. According to Takeuchi, this transition has been part of their planning since the development of Resident Evil Village. By reintroducing iconic elements—such as Umbrella, the Spencer legacy, and Raccoon City—the studio has been subtly building toward a unified crossover era.


«The current Resident Evil series is being developed along two tracks: the numbered titles allow players to experience the ongoing story of the series, while the remake series allows them to experience the past. Someday, the remake series will catch up with the era of the numbered titles, and we are already thinking about what we will do when that happens,» says Takeuchi.

Looking Ahead: Redemption or Reiteration?

If Capcom continues its pattern of releasing a remake every two years, the studio has roughly a dozen years of production ahead of it. Potential candidates for future overhauls include:

  • Resident Evil 0
  • Resident Evil (potentially a second remake)
  • Resident Evil: Revelations and Revelations 2
  • The divisive entries, Resident Evil 5 and Resident Evil 6

While the prospect of revisiting Resident Evil 5 and 6 is inevitable, these titles will require significant structural adjustments to modernize their gameplay and narrative appeal. Balancing fan nostalgia with the need for genuine innovation remains the key challenge for the development team.


Beyond the Remake Era

Ultimately, while remakes provide a consistent stream of content and satisfying callbacks for long-time fans, the future of the franchise likely hinges on Capcom's ability to introduce fresh plotlines and characters. As Resident Evil continues to evolve, there is significant anticipation for the studio to move beyond revisiting its history and instead lean into the new creative directions hinted at by recent entries, ensuring the franchise remains as compelling as ever in the decades to come.