Resident Evil remakes ‘are just as important as the mainline entries,’ says RE9 producer

Capcom’s passion for remakes is well known, and the studio’s recent reboots of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4 have arguably become its most celebrated titles, breathing new life into the long‑running series.

In a candid interview with Vice, Resident Evil Requiem producer Masachika Kawata confirmed that remakes hold equal weight to original entries and are pivotal for Capcom’s ambition to establish a yearly Resident Evil release cadence.

Kawata explained that reimagining older games is a practical solution to the logistical challenges of producing brand‑new titles each year, allowing the studio to meet its annual release target while simultaneously pushing its creative boundaries.

He also stressed that this approach does not diminish the significance of new entries; both remakes and original installments are regarded as equally vital to the franchise’s continued success.

Capcom is using remakes as a savvy financial strategy, channeling the proceeds into new Resident Evil titles and fresh IPs like Pragmata, says Kawata. Yet this focus leaves developers with scant room for spin‑offs. The company’s entire agenda now centers on remakes and new mainline entries—a cycle that Kawata claims Capcom is fortunate to have discovered.

“While many fans may wish for more spin‑offs, the team is dedicating all its energy to current projects such as Requiem and the upcoming remakes,” Kawata explained.

With a roughly four‑to‑five‑year interval between mainline releases—2017, 2021, and 2026—Capcom’s schedule suggests that a brand‑new Resident Evil title may not surface until the next decade.