Capcom is set to release Resident Evil games on an annual basis, with remakes playing a key role in maintaining that schedule, according to producer Masachika Kawata. In an interview with Game Informer, Kawata explained that the decision to produce multiple remakes stems from the challenge of creating new mainline entries every year.
Annual Release Strategy
Kawata stated, 'One of the reasons for creating remakes is producing a new entry in the Resident Evil series every year would be quite an undertaking and a difficult task. So, being able to revisit older games and remake them helps Capcom meet that goal of releasing a Resident Evil title each year, but it also allows the team to continually challenge themselves and hone their craft.'
The franchise has seen consistent success, with the latest mainline title, Resident Evil Requiem, becoming the fastest-selling game in the series. Additionally, 2023's Resident Evil 4 remake is the best-selling remake of the PlayStation 5 generation.
Remakes Fund New IP
Kawata also highlighted that remakes help finance new intellectual properties like Pragmata. 'That's not to say the remakes are any less important. In fact, they're just as important as the mainline titles. Capcom is lucky enough to have found this cycle that can continue to provide us with the financial resources to create things like new entries in the Resident Evil series and completely new IP like Pragmata. So there is that relationship there,' he added.
Between 2019 and 2023, Capcom released a new Resident Evil game each year, including the multiplayer spin-off Resident Evil Re: Verse in 2022. After a two-year gap, Resident Evil Requiem launched in 2026, and Resident Evil Veronica is scheduled for 2027.
Future Remakes and DLC
If Capcom continues its yearly release pattern, rumoured remakes of Resident Evil Zero and Resident Evil 1 could arrive in 2028 and 2029, respectively. This could lead to the next mainline game in 2030, though the five-year gap between Resident Evil Village (2021) and Requiem suggests that timeline may be tight.
Regarding spin-offs, Kawata stated that the team is fully focused on mainline titles and remakes. 'Maybe there are a lot of people out there who would like to see more spin-off titles or such, but honestly, the team is giving everything it has right now, working on things like our new entries like Requiem or remakes. So honestly, at the moment, that's where our efforts [are] being focused. We are so focused on pouring our energy into that, I don't think there's a whole lot left right now for a spin-off,' he said.
Insider Dusk Golem reported that Resident Evil Requiem story DLC is in development for a late 2027 release, and Resident Evil Veronica DLC is expected in 2028, over a year after the game's launch. This suggests Capcom may count DLC as part of its annual releases.
Resident Evil Movie and Future Outlook
Beyond games, the franchise continues to expand with a new Resident Evil movie directed by Zach Cregger, set for release on September 18, 2026. As Capcom relies heavily on remakes, questions arise about what will happen when the well of older titles dries up, and whether lesser entries like Resident Evil 6 will eventually be remade.
