Resident Evil Requiem director Koshi Nakanishi and producer Masato Kumazawa stated that Capcom has no plans to retire iconic characters such as Leon S. Kennedy, Chris Redfield, and Jill Valentine. In a post-mortem interview, they emphasized the enduring appeal of these mainstays. The game, celebrating the series' 30th anniversary, has sold over 7 million copies in two months.
Resident Evil Requiem, the latest entry in Capcom's long-running horror series, features returning veteran Leon S. Kennedy grappling with a mysterious infection amid a return to a present-day Raccoon City overrun by zombies. The game balances intense horror sequences with Grace Ashcroft, a new FBI agent protagonist, and Leon's action-oriented sections. Nakanishi described Leon's parts as a 'pressure valve release' for Grace's scarier moments, gradually introducing his signature humor to maintain tone balance. The team focused on uncanny zombies that retain human-like behaviors, enhancing the horror through unpredictability and tension pacing, as Kumazawa noted, 'It can be scarier in scenes where there aren't any zombies yet.'In an interview with Eurogamer published May 4, Nakanishi affirmed Capcom's stance on series icons: 'We don’t feel the need to replace [its most recognizable faces] with younger characters… we don’t really think of it in those terms.' He added, 'Leon is really appealing in his current form. And who knows, we could bring him back when he’s 70, and I’m sure he’ll still be a great character.' This counters expectations that Requiem might mark the end for aging heroes like Leon, now pushing 50.Kumazawa praised fan backlash to Nvidia's DLSS 5 showcase on March 16, which redesigned Grace's appearance. 'The fact a lot of players commented they really liked the original design of Grace and didn’t want to see it changed was a positive,' he said. 'It meant we got the design right [and] points to the fact that Grace quickly established herself as a fan favorite.' Requiem was not initially planned as a 30th anniversary title but evolved into one, incorporating subtle legacy references without forcing character reunions.The game has achieved massive success, becoming the fastest-selling in series history with over 7 million copies sold in two months. Nakanishi highlighted Grace's emotional relatability as key to her popularity, helping attract new players alongside the dedicated fanbase.