After another major success with Resident Evil Requiem, Capcom revealed the possibility of setting a future Resident Evil game in Japan.
In an interview with Futaman magazine, producer Masato Kumazawa was asked about the future of the series, especially where and when upcoming games could take place.
Kumazawa first explained that, even though Leon Kennedy is older in Requiem, Capcom does not follow strict rules when it comes to the Resident Evil timeline. It can be assumed this gives the team more freedom when deciding the setting and time period for each entry.
We only started portraying characters aging with Resident Evil 4. In fact, we’ve even done things like moving the timeline backward between Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3, so we don’t follow any set rules. That said, we do adjust the timeline based on the assessment that present-day stories help players feel more immersed. The timeline also changes depending on the characters and story we want to portray in each title.
When talking about future settings, Kumazawa revealed that the idea of setting a Resident Evil game in Japan was discussed inside Capcom. He said:
I think a Japanese setting is something every Japanese Resident Evil fan has though about, and I’ve also considered it myself. Since the development team is primarily based in Japan, I think every member has given it some thought. While Japan hasn’t appeared as a game setting so far, it might make an appearance at some point in the future.
No matter what Capcom decides for Resident Evil 10 or any future entry, the company wants to find the right balance between tradition and innovation. Kumazawa added:
We won’t compromise the core elements of the series, such as the characters and the events that unfold, and we’ll continue to preserve what the series holds dear. However, if we keep releasing the same kind of game over and over, players will eventually get bored, so we’d like to keep taking on new challenges moving forward
Currently, there aren’t many details about the next mainline title in the Resident Evil series, considering Resident Evil Requiem just launched this year. Fans will have to wait and see whether a Japanese setting eventually becomes a reality for the franchise.
[Source]
