New claims from a trusted insider suggest that Resident Evil 9 began development as a large-scale open-world multiplayer game, a major departure from the series' traditional survival horror roots. According to Dusk Golem a longtime Resident Evil leaker the original concept featured Leon and Jill exploring a fictional island based on Singapore, before the project was rebooted following the release of Resident Evil Village.
While Capcom has yet to officially reveal Resident Evil 9, Dusk Golem's recent posts on X have cleared up false rumors and offered intriguing context on what the game could have been and what it may still become. Here is a look at the long thread full of all the details you need to know.
(1/6) So nearly every RE9 rumor I've seen over the years has been bullshit. The Native American Wendigo blood moon rumor? Bullshit. Goat Man with Jill in a Hospital? Bullshit.
— AestheticGamer aka Dusk Golem (@AestheticGamer1) May 22, 2025
Andi's the only person who's shared stuff which I can corrborate is true, some stuff I've been saying https://t.co/sd95wAGhZN
Resident Evil 9's Early Development History
According to the insider, development on RE9 began in early 2017. At the time, Resident Evil 7 had underperformed commercially, prompting Capcom to pivot toward a multiplayer-focused direction. The original concept envisioned RE9 as a massive open-world title running on the RE Engine, with online co-op elements and a setting heavily inspired by Southeast Asia.
However, once Resident Evil Village launched in 2021, Capcom rebooted RE9 entirely, scrapping the multiplayer vision. While most of the original concept was dropped, Leon Kennedy is still expected to return as a lead character in the current build of the game.
Dusk Golem Debunks Previous Rumors
New RESIDENT EVIL Movie Targeting ANORA's Mikey Madison For Lead Role
In their recent post, Dusk Golem also took time to debunk several widely circulated but false rumors, including:
- “Native American Wendigo Blood Moon” premise
- “Goat Man with Jill in a Hospital” storyline
Both were dismissed as completely fabricated.
What We Know So Far For RE9
Here’s a roundup of what Dusk Golem has revealed (and confirmed) about Resident Evil 9 and its development:
- Original Build (2017): Open-world multiplayer with Leon and Jill on a fictional island
- Engine: RE Engine, optimized for open-world environments
- Current Build: Heavily rebooted post-2021, but Leon likely remains the protagonist
- Reveal Window: “Almost undoubtedly” revealed in 2025, though timing depends on fiscal year planning
- Release Date Target: Capcom is aiming for 2026, after two internal delays
It’s still unclear whether Rose Winters, daughter of Ethan Winters from Village, will appear in RE9 or if the new game will pivot completely to a different storyline.
A New Resident Evil Movie is Also in the Works
Separate from the mainline series, it has also been announced that a new movie adaptation is currently in development. While few details are available, the director has expressed a desire to capture the tone and spirit of the games, perhaps distancing it from the critically panned live-action attempts of the past.
What are your thoughts on the insider claims? What do you think Resident Evil 9 will actually turn out to be? Let us know your answers in the comments section down below!
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