In 2022, Capcom confirmed that it had explored the idea of developing an open-world, online Resident Evil game before ultimately scrapping the project. The concept was part of a broader initiative to expand the beloved survival horror franchise into new formats, particularly leveraging the growing popularity of online multiplayer and open-world experiences seen in games like The Last of Us Part II, Horizon Zero Dawn, and Red Dead Redemption 2.
According to interviews with Capcom's leadership, including producer Jun Takeuchi and producer and director of Resident Evil Village, Capcom was interested in creating a more expansive, persistent world for Resident Evil, possibly featuring co-op or competitive multiplayer elements, where players could explore vast environments, scavenge resources, and face off against terrifying enemies in a shared online space.
However, despite initial excitement and concept development, the project was eventually abandoned. Capcom cited a desire to stay true to the core identity of Resident Evil—a franchise built on tension, atmosphere, and story-driven horror—as a key reason for shelving the open-world direction. The team felt that the open-world format, while appealing for other genres, might dilute the franchise’s signature pacing and fear-based gameplay.
Instead, Capcom has since focused on refining and expanding the Resident Evil experience through more traditional, narrative-driven entries such as Resident Evil Village and Resident Evil 4 Remake, as well as exploring new formats like Resident Evil 7: Biohazard’s immersive first-person horror.
The scrapped project remains a notable "what-if" in Resident Evil lore, illustrating how even iconic franchises must balance innovation with preserving their foundational DNA. Capcom has since hinted at future experiments—such as the Resident Evil Re:Verse spin-off, which offers multiplayer action—but the idea of a full-scale open-world Resident Evil online game remains on hold, at least for now.
Mar 30,2026