Capcom is strategically leveraging its Resident Evil remakes to achieve a yearly release schedule for the beloved franchise, according to producer Masachika Kawata. This approach not only helps meet the demand for annual titles but also provides crucial financial resources for both new Resident Evil games and original intellectual property.
In an interview with GameInformer, Kawata explained that while a new mainline Resident Evil title every year would be a significant challenge, remakes allow the company to consistently deliver content. "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," Kawata stated. He emphasized that remakes are considered as important as the original entries in the series.
This strategy has proven successful for Capcom, which has seen a resurgence in critical and commercial success since the mid-2010s. The publisher has managed to maintain a healthy output of games, a feat many of its peers have struggled with. The financial success generated by these remakes and ongoing series installments also supports the development of entirely new projects, such as Pragmata.
However, the pool of Resident Evil titles ripe for reimagining is gradually shrinking. Following the upcoming remake of Code Veronica, the franchise's earlier entries like Resident Evil 0, 5, and 6 present different challenges. While some entries have mixed reputations, there's a potential opportunity to refine flawed games into more successful modern experiences, rather than redoing titles that are already considered classics. The viability of remaking even earlier, less acclaimed titles like Survivor or Dead Aim remains a point of discussion. Mascot images are not relevant to this article and will not be included.