Resident Evil Game May Be Set in Japan, Producer Hints

A future Resident Evil game might be set in Japan. This is a big change for a series that has mostly used American and European settings.
By Newsroom | Video Games, Japan |

The Resident Evil series, long a staple of visceral survival horror, may be contemplating a significant geographical shift, with producer Masato Kumazawa hinting at the possibility of a future installment set in Japan. This marks a notable consideration for a franchise that, despite its Japanese origins, has predominantly explored settings in America, Europe, and Africa.

Kumazawa stated that "every member [of the team] has given it some thought," indicating a shared interest within the development circle for setting a future game in the series' homeland.== This notion surfaces despite the recent release of Resident Evil Requiem, suggesting a forward-looking perspective from the production team. The producer also touched on the flexible aging of characters within the series and reassured fans that Requiem is not an endpoint for the franchise.

Resident Evil Requiem producer suggests the legendary horror series could finally visit Japan in the future - "I think every member [of the team] has given it some thought" - 1

The prospect of a Japan-set Resident Evil has long been a point of discussion among fans. While the series has visited fictionalized locales in China and settings in Eastern Europe and West Africa, its actual home country remains an unexplored frontier in the main game narratives. This potential pivot could leverage the familiarity of the setting for the development team, offering a unique "home advantage" in crafting future horror scenarios.

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Resident Evil Requiem producer suggests the legendary horror series could finally visit Japan in the future - "I think every member [of the team] has given it some thought" - 2

Uncharted Territory

The Resident Evil franchise has consistently used its environments to amplify its terrifying narratives. From the sprawling mansions of its early entries to the rural villages of Spain and the plague-ridden areas of America, location has been a critical element in building immersion. The introduction of a first-person perspective in titles like Resident Evil 7: Biohazard further underscored the impact of setting on player experience.

Resident Evil Requiem producer suggests the legendary horror series could finally visit Japan in the future - "I think every member [of the team] has given it some thought" - 3

While Resident Evil Requiem has recently expanded the series' lore, Kumazawa suggested there are "still many things we'd like to do," including exploring stories of characters not featured in the latest release. He also affirmed a commitment to preserving the series' core elements while venturing into new narrative and geographical territories.

Resident Evil Requiem producer suggests the legendary horror series could finally visit Japan in the future - "I think every member [of the team] has given it some thought" - 4

The timeline for new mainline Resident Evil games is typically measured in years, with fans also anticipating potential remakes of earlier titles like Resident Evil 0 and Resident Evil Code: Veronica. The discussion around a Japan-based setting adds another layer to the speculation surrounding the franchise's future trajectory.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will the next Resident Evil game be set in Japan?
Producer Masato Kumazawa said the team has thought about setting a future Resident Evil game in Japan. This would be a new setting for the series, which has mostly been in America and Europe.
Q: What did the producer say about the Resident Evil series' future?
Masato Kumazawa said that the team wants to do more with the Resident Evil series. He also said that characters can age differently in the games and that Resident Evil Requiem is not the end of the series.
Q: Has Resident Evil ever been set in Japan before?
No, the main Resident Evil games have not been set in Japan. The series started in Japan, but the games have mostly taken place in America, Europe, and Africa.
Q: What else is happening with the Resident Evil franchise?
Fans are also waiting for possible remakes of older games like Resident Evil 0 and Resident Evil Code: Veronica. The idea of a Japan setting adds to the excitement about what's next.