For more than a decade, Capcom has refreshed the early entries of the Resident Evil franchise, delivering acclaimed revamps of Resident Evil 23 and 4. The studio’s veteran executive producer Jun Takeuchi recently disclosed that the company is already looking ahead to the point where these revamped titles will intersect with the newer, numbered installments. His comments appeared in a special anniversary publication celebrating thirty years of the series, and they shed light on a long-term strategy that has been quietly taking shape since the release of Resident Evil Village.
Two parallel tracks that will eventually merge
Takeuchi explained that Capcom presently operates on a “dual-track” model. One track delivers fresh narrative chapters—titles such as Resident Evil 7Village and the upcoming Requiem—while the other revisits the franchise’s origins through remakes. He warned that this bifurcation cannot last indefinitely: “Someday, the remake series will catch up with the era of the numbered titles, and we are already thinking about what we will do when that happens.” The developer’s preparation includes re-introducing legacy elements like the Umbrella Corporation and the Spencer family, as well as resurrecting Raccoon City in future narratives.
Resident Evil 7 as the series’ turning point
According to Takeuchi, Resident Evil 7 represents a pivotal moment because it coincided with the first wave of successful remakes. The game’s developers initially inserted classic references as pure fan service but the overwhelmingly positive reaction from the community prompted Capcom to treat those callbacks as narrative bridges rather than mere Easter eggs. This shift led to a more intentional weaving of past and present in Village and the upcoming Requiem laying groundwork for the eventual crossover of the two development tracks.
What lies ahead for the remaining numbered titles
The remake pipeline already includes a refreshed Code Veronica slated for release next year, and speculation points to a Resident Evil 0 remake in 2028. A remake of the original Resident Evil (often referred to as Resident Evil 1) is also being considered. After those projects, the only main-line entries that have not yet received a modern treatment are Resident Evil 5 and Resident Evil 6. Both games present unique challenges: RE5’s African setting and partner character Sheva Alomar have attracted criticism, while RE6 received the lowest Metacritic scores of any numbered title. Takeuchi’s remarks imply that Capcom may eventually tackle these entries, either as traditional remakes or as re-imagined experiences that address past controversies.
In addition to revisiting older chapters, Capcom appears ready to recycle elements from the remake line in future original titles. The reappearance of familiar locations, corporations, and characters is not accidental; it is part of a broader design philosophy that aims to create a seamless narrative tapestry once the two tracks converge. This approach also serves a practical purpose: after three decades of storytelling, many long-time fans struggle to recall early plot points without a modern entry to re-experience them.
While the exact timeline for this convergence remains uncertain, the studio has signaled that the groundwork is already in place. The next major release, the Code Veronica remake, will likely serve as a final bridge before the franchise reaches the point where new and old stories occupy the same chronological space. After that, Capcom will face a strategic decision—whether to continue producing fresh remakes, to begin revisiting its own revamped titles, or to explore entirely new directions within the Resident Evil universe.
For now, players can look forward to the upcoming releases and keep an eye on subtle callbacks that hint at Capcom’s long-term vision. As the studio’s own words suggest, the merger of the two tracks is not a distant fantasy but a carefully engineered milestone that will shape the future of one of gaming’s longest-running horror franchises.
