Capcom has confirmed it explored the possibility of turning Resident Evil: Requiem into an open-world title with online multiplayer components before ultimately shifting direction.
In a developer diary video, Requiem director Koshi Nakanishi offered a glimpse into this earlier, scrapped version of the game, showcasing intense combat scenarios involving multiple protagonists.
Ultimately, Capcom decided to refocus on the franchise's survival horror origins, developers revealed. When it launches next year, Requiem will be a strictly single-player experience with no online functionality.
"This game is packed with content. Early in development, we were considering various gameplay systems," producer Masachika Kawata observed.
"You may have come across some of the speculation," Nakanishi added. "Ideas like an online-focused Resident Evil or an open-world Resident Evil—we dedicated time to prototyping these concepts.
"While we developed some intriguing ideas, we concluded they didn't align with what players expected from the series. So we returned to the core experience, resulting in Resident Evil: Requiem."
Below are several short scenes from the canceled multiplayer build of Requiem:
The cancelled Resident Evil 9 project pic.twitter.com/Vu7z2tlppQ
— Waleed (@Waleedx2007) June 27, 2025
Art director Tomonori Takano explained that Capcom intentionally designed the game's environments around urban settings to distinguish it from recent installments.
While Resident Evil 7, Resident Evil Village, and the Resident Evil 4 Remake primarily take place in remote locations, Requiem marks the return to Raccoon City.
"Earlier games frequently featured rural, nature-heavy surroundings," Takano commented. "This installment centers on metropolitan environments. Many sequences unfold within contemporary settings, including Raccoon City."
Although details about Requiem's urban backdrop and single-player structure are now confirmed, Capcom remains ambiguous about whether fan-favorite Leon S. Kennedy will appear alongside the announced protagonist, FBI agent Grace Ashcroft.
During yesterday's Capcom Spotlight 2025, Nakanishi remarked that Leon might not suit the horror tone—though he didn't entirely rule out the character's inclusion. Many believe Capcom has yet to reveal the game's more action-oriented segments, where Leon would naturally fit.
