The Resident Evil series is experiencing a modern heyday. The franchise, which has been at the forefront of survival horror for nearly 30 years, entered a new era with the release of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard in 2017. The title transformed the classic series into a modern juggernaut, offering a first-person perspective, modern horror elements, and VR support while introducing fans to a new source of infection, the Megamycete. The success of Resident Evil 7 led to an incredible sequel, Resident Evil Village, and the remakes of three classic titles. Resident Evil's winning streak has fans eagerly anticipating the announcement of its next mainline entry, Resident Evil 9. Luckily, history suggests that a Resident Evil 9 reveal is just around the corner.
Resident Evil made its debut in 1996, when the original game, titled Biohazard in its native Japan, was released for the PlayStation. The title was many young gamers' introduction to the survival horror genre, and its campy dialogue and live-action opening sequence only made it more endearing. Over the last three decades, the series experimented with different genres, weapon peripherals, VR, and multiplayer, culminating in its modern iteration as a first-person atmospheric horror series. Resident Evil 9 is expected to continue this trend while moving beyond the narrative that revitalized the series.
Capcom's Resident Evil Reveals Suggest A Clear Pattern
Following the release of Resident Evil 4 in 2005, developer Capcom hastily revealed its sequel, Resident Evil 5, barely six months later. The series' original trilogy saw entries released annually, and it appeared its next era would do the same. However, Capcom went back and made major changes to the title, following backlash to the first reveal and insider information, which led to its second reveal in 2007. Since then, Capcom has held to a specific pattern for revealing and releasing its Resident Evil titles, with a reveal for mainline titles occurring roughly every 42 months, depending on event schedules and delays.
The reveal of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard started another trend, as the title and its sequel were both announced at Sony presentations. Capcom absolutely shocked fans in attendance when it debuted its Resident Evil 7 reveal trailer at Sony's E3 2016 Press Conference, announcing full PSVR support. Four years later, Capcom sent those same shockwaves across the internet by surprise-announcing Resident Evil Village during Sony's PS5 Reveal Event. Using these trends, fans have speculated when and where Resident Evil 9 will be revealed. However, there is one more trend that may pinpoint when that reveal will happen, and this one narrows it down almost to the day.
Resident Evil 7 and Village Reveals Share a Very Specific Characteristic
By analyzing the reveals of both Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village, along with Capcom's tendency to announce a mainline title roughly every three and a half years, fans can seemingly predict a window of time when Resident Evil 9 will likely debut. However, there is one additional factor that could be utilized to predict, very specifically, when the next mainline Resident Evil title will be revealed. Resident Evil 7 was revealed on June 13, 2016, and Resident Evil Village was revealed on June 11, 2020. With these dates, Capcom presents an even clearer pattern as to when fans can expect an announcement for Resident Evil 9.
Capcom's pattern suggests that a Resident Evil 9 reveal could come as soon as Summer Games Fest 2023, especially when combined with rumors that have circulated since Resident Evil Village's release. Summer Game Fest 2023 would provide a three-year gap between reveals, and both Sony and Capcom are confirmed to be attending. Additionally, Summer Game Fest 2023 begins on June 8, placing it within the same week as Capcom's Resident Evil 7 and Village reveal dates. Until Game Fest begins, fans wait patiently for any sign hinting at Resident Evil 9's involvement, but there is also a chance that the game will see its public debut at the Summer Game Fest next year, marking four years between itself and Resident Evil Village.