Resident Evil Requiem Producer Says Fans Get Frustrated with CAPCOM Due to Rumors

During last week’s Tokyo Game Show 2025, Resident Evil Requiem producer Masata Kumazawa addressed the challenges CAPCOM faces with fan expectations, particularly when fueled by speculation and leaks. In an interview with The Gamer, Kumazawa explained that fans often become frustrated with the developers due to rumors or theories that CAPCOM itself never confirmed.

According to Kumazawa, one of the biggest challenges the team encounters is how speculation spreads within the community, often solidifying into perceived promises.

“Sometimes I talk to people and they act as if various speculation and rumours are just already a confirmed thing, and then they start talking on that basis. I would like everyone to remember, let’s calm down a bit – what we’ve shown you so far is everything we can say. People get frustrated with us, because even though we didn’t promise things, the rumours and theories were such that they were widely believed.”

Much of this speculation stems from long-time CAPCOM leaker Dusk Golem, with one of the most persistent rumors being that Resident Evil Requiem will feature the return of Leon Kennedy. CAPCOM, however, has never confirmed Leon’s involvement.

Another hot topic is the hooded figure seen in the game’s early trailers. Fans were convinced it would be a dramatic return for a beloved character. Kumazawa, however, officially dispelled this theory.

“Everyone is convinced that the hooded figure has to be a reveal of a returning cast member, and there is speculation that it ‘must be this person or must be that person’. But we don’t always want to just lean on surprise comebacks like these. The hooded person is a new character, we will confirm that much. In this case, it’s a newly created character for this storyline, so it’s a bit of a previously undisclosed detail, but hopefully it contextualises how we’re approaching the game’s story.”

This confirmation highlights CAPCOM’s intent to expand the lore with fresh characters instead of relying solely on fan-favorite returns for shock value.

Players won’t have to wait long to see what’s real and what’s rumor. Resident Evil Requiem is set to launch on February 27, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S|X.

CAPCOM seems determined to strike a balance between honoring the legacy of the series and building new storylines that keep the franchise evolving.

What do you think about Kumazawa’s clarification—should CAPCOM focus on new characters and stories, or continue bringing back iconic figures like Leon Kennedy?