The Upcoming Resident Evil Series Could Be Set in Japan and Delve Deeper into the Characters' Stories

In an interview conducted by Japanese broadcaster Risa Unai, two developers from Resident Evil Requiem, Producer Masato Kumazawa and Lead Game Designer Kenji Fukasawa, shared several intriguing insights about the future direction of the Resident Evil series. From the conversation, the possibility emerged that the series could one day be set in Japan, while also opening up greater space for the development of characters whose stories have not been extensively explored so far.

One of the key points from the interview was the presence of Spencer in Resident Evil Requiem. According to Kumazawa, Spencer's appearance is closely tied to the effort to uncover the truth behind the Raccoon City Incident, while also affirming Umbrella's role as the primary root of the major tragedy in the Resident Evil universe. He explained that the subtitle Requiem itself carries the meaning of settling past affairs, making Spencer's presence crucial for deepening the story foundation that has been built so far.

Kumazawa also touched on the timeline development of the Resident Evil series. He mentioned that there are no strict rules regarding character aging or the flow of time, as each title can adjust to the narrative needs it wants to portray. However, the development team still strives to maintain the consistency of the Resident Evil world while continuously seeking new approaches to keep the series from feeling monotonous. According to him, changes in perspective, story concepts, and player responses are essential ingredients for creating a fresh experience in each main series.

The most exciting part for fans was when Risa Unai asked about the possibility of Resident Evil being set in Japan. Kumazawa acknowledged that a Japanese setting is something that many fans have likely thought about, including himself and nearly the entire development team based in Japan. He did not rule out the possibility that this idea could be realized in the future, although it has not yet been used as the main setting in any game so far.

In addition to discussing the future of the story, the interview also highlighted the response to Resident Evil Requiem itself. Fukasawa mentioned that the game has received much praise, and the team wants to continue refining the elements that players enjoy. Meanwhile, Kumazawa added that there are still many stories to be told beyond the main characters that have already been introduced. He emphasized that Requiem is not a grand finale for the series, but rather part of a journey that will continue.

Kumazawa also revealed that although Resident Evil Requiem was released close to the series' 30th anniversary, the game was not initially designed as a special celebratory project. However, the return of Raccoon City as an iconic setting brought both pressure and high expectations from fans. On the other hand, he also shared a light-hearted story about a misstatement in a previous interview, which unintentionally sparked fan speculation about characters other than Grace.