Resident Evil 9 has undergone a complex and evolving development journey since it first began production in 2017. Initially envisioned as an open-world multiplayer game, the project was meant to be a stark contrast to Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, which was underperforming at the time. CAPCOM sought to pivot from the focused, claustrophobic horror of Resident Evil 7 by creating a game that was the complete opposite featuring Leon Kennedy and Jill Valentine as protagonists on a fictional island inspired by Singapore. However, this direction didn’t last. Following the success of Resident Evil Village in 2021, the game’s development was rebooted, with most of its original multiplayer and open-world elements being scrapped. Despite the overhaul, some aspects of the original concept remain, including Leon as the lead character.
As it stands, Resident Evil 9 is still being developed and is reportedly shaping up to be a refined single-player horror experience that may retain traces of its earlier large-scale ambitions. The game is expected to be revealed in 2025, with a planned release in 2026. This extended timeline reflects CAPCOM’s intent to reinvent the series once again, much like it did with previous successful entries such as Resident Evil 7 and the Resident Evil 2 Remake.
In addition to updates on Resident Evil 9, well-known leaker Dusk Golem shared that the Resident Evil Zero remake has undergone significant changes in the past six months and is likely to be revealed soon. Meanwhile, Resident Evil Revelations 3, which surfaced during the major CAPCOM leak a few years ago, was officially canceled in 2022. While little concrete information is available, anticipation is high for the next installment in the iconic survival horror franchise, especially with several major gaming events approaching.