With Resident Evil 9: Requiem set to release in February 2026, fans are already looking ahead to what comes next for the franchise. Capcom confirmed back in late 2023 that more remakes are indeed on the way, but with RE9 being their main focus, all we can really go on are leaks and rumors from various sources. The latest information suggests that two highly anticipated remakes are currently in development: Resident Evil Code Veronica and Resident Evil Zero, though both projects appear to have faced some development challenges.
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The Source: Dusk Golem’s Track Record
Before diving into the specific rumors, it’s important to acknowledge that most of this information comes from insider Dusk Golem (also known as AestheticGamer), a leaker with a notoriously mixed track record. While he has been correct about some Resident Evil details over the years, he’s also gotten quite a bit wrong, leading many in the community to approach his claims with skepticism. However, given the lack of official information from Capcom, these rumors represent the most substantial information we have about future remakes.
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Resident Evil Zero Remake: Development Troubles
According to Dusk Golem’s recent claims, Resident Evil Zero remake has encountered significant development issues. The leaker reported that the game “recently got delayed, citing some form of development reboot that occurred late last year in 2024.” This suggests that whatever progress had been made on the project was deemed unsatisfactory, forcing the development team to start over or make major changes to their approach.
Development Team Details
Dusk maintained that both K2 and M2 – the teams responsible for Resident Evil 4 remake’s Separate Ways DLC – were working on the Zero remake. This collaboration makes sense given both teams’ experience with the RE Engine and their proven ability to handle classic Resident Evil content with modern sensibilities.
Limited Information Available
Unfortunately, beyond these development troubles, very little specific information has emerged about what the Zero remake might entail. The original Resident Evil Zero was notable for its partner-swapping mechanic between Rebecca Chambers and Billy Coen, its prequel story set before the events of the first game, and its challenging difficulty. How these elements would be adapted for modern audiences remains unclear.
Code Veronica Remake: The Most Requested Entry
Resident Evil Code Veronica remake appears to be in much better shape, according to the same sources. This makes sense, as Code Veronica is widely considered the most requested remake among fans, having been skipped over when Capcom moved from the RE3 remake to RE4 remake.
Strong Development Progress
Dusk reported that “development on the Code Veronica remake is going exceptionally well. So well in fact that this remake is apparently ahead of Capcom’s internal schedule, remarking that the team behind the Code Veronica remake is very confident in the work that they are making.”
This positive development news contrasts sharply with the reported troubles surrounding the Zero remake, suggesting that Code Veronica might see release significantly earlier than originally planned.
Development Team Leadership
Mainline Treatment
In another tweet, Dusk emphasized the scope of the project: “For what it’s worth, from what I’ve heard a few times now actually, Code Veronica Remake not only is being handled by a lot of the same people as RE:2 & RE:4, but it’s being treated as a big budget mainline Resident Evil game in every way”.
He also revealed the development timeline: “Code Veronica Remake has been in development since 2022, around 3 years of dev now. Code Veronica Remake is ahead of schedule due to a very smooth dev cycle though”.
Potential Announcement Timeline
Dusk suggested that Code Veronica remake could be announced sometime in 2026 as part of Resident Evil’s 30th anniversary celebration, coinciding with RE9’s release. This timing would make strategic sense for Capcom, allowing them to maintain franchise momentum after RE9’s launch while capitalizing on the anniversary celebration.
Rumored Gameplay and Story Changes for Code Veronica
The most intriguing aspect of the Code Veronica remake rumors involves specific gameplay and story modifications that could significantly alter the original experience.
Wesker Boss Fight Addition
One of the most significant rumored changes involves Albert Wesker’s role in the game. According to Dusk, “instead of a cutscene playing out depicting Albert Wesker’s fight with Chris Redfield, the remake will instead have Chris face off against Wesker in a boss fight.”
This change would be substantial, as the original Code Veronica featured Wesker’s confrontation with Chris primarily through cutscenes. Making this encounter playable could provide a satisfying gameplay moment similar to Leon’s knife battle with Jack Krauser in RE4 remake, replacing what were originally Quick Time Event-heavy sequences with full player control.
Chris vs. Alexia Fight Removal
Interestingly, the same source claims that “Chris no longer fights Alexia here, which implies that this fight is seemingly going to be absent from the game or perhaps was replaced with Wesker’s boss fight.” This would be a surprising change, as Alexia Ashford serves as one of Code Veronica’s primary antagonists. However, it’s possible that this fight could be relocated to another character (perhaps Claire) or restructured in ways that weren’t clear from the leaked information.
Expanded HCF Role
The rumors suggest that Wesker will play a much larger role in the remake, “due in large part to the HCF, standing for Hive or Host Capture Force, which will serve as a main plot point in the remake.” The HCF (Hunk’s Capture Force) was Wesker’s special operations unit, and expanding their role could provide better setup for future games, particularly if Capcom eventually decides to remake Resident Evil 5.
Getting a better understanding of this highly trained group of soldiers and their relationship to Wesker could add depth to the overall narrative while providing more context for Wesker’s activities between Code Veronica and RE5.
Steve Burnside Personality Overhaul
One of the most welcome rumored changes involves Steve Burnside, a character who has been widely criticized for his annoying personality and cringe-worthy dialogue in the original game. According to Dusk, “Steve Burnside is also slated to get a personality overhaul. Steve Burnside is going to be a bit more palatable here and less cringey at times while still keeping some of his quirky traits intact.”
This change could significantly improve the game’s reception, as Steve’s character was often cited as one of Code Veronica’s weakest elements. Maintaining his core personality while making him more likeable would be a delicate balance, but one that could pay off substantially.
Semi-Open World Rockfort Island
Perhaps the most ambitious rumored change involves the game’s structure. Dusk claims that “Rockfort Island will become a semi-open world area, adding greater exploration and freedom to this eerie setting.” This would represent a significant departure from the original’s highly linear progression through the island facility.
Such a change could make traversing Rockfort Island more immersive and potentially less frustrating than the original’s sometimes confusing layout. However, it would also represent a major structural overhaul that could fundamentally change how the game feels to play.
Release Timeline Expectations
Despite the positive development news surrounding Code Veronica, both remakes are still years away from release. Even with Code Veronica allegedly ahead of schedule, Dusk maintained that either remake could release in 2027, with the other following in 2028.
This timeline makes sense given Capcom’s apparent strategy of spacing out their major Resident Evil releases. With RE9 launching in February 2026, having the next remake arrive in 2027 would provide adequate time for RE9 to have its moment while maintaining regular franchise releases.
Other Potential Remakes: What’s Not in Development
Interestingly, the same source claims that certain other rumored remakes are not currently in development. Specifically, Dusk reported that there is “no Resident Evil 5 remake in development at the moment,” and that “the much rumored Resident Evil 1 re-remake is not in development as far as he knew.”
This information, if accurate, suggests that Capcom is focusing their remake efforts on the games that haven’t received modern treatment rather than revisiting titles that have already been updated (like RE1) or moving forward to entries that might require more complex handling (like RE5’s controversial elements).
The Importance of Skepticism
While these rumors paint an exciting picture of the franchise’s future, it’s crucial to remember that none of this information has been officially confirmed by Capcom. Dusk Golem’s track record includes both accurate predictions and significant misses, and the gaming industry is notorious for projects changing direction, being cancelled, or evolving substantially during development.
The reported development reboot for Zero remake demonstrates how fluid these projects can be. What seems certain today might be completely different by the time these games actually release – if they release at all.
What This Means for Resident Evil’s Future
Assuming even some of these rumors prove accurate, they suggest that Capcom is committed to continuing the remake series while making substantial improvements to address known issues with the original games. The rumored changes to Steve Burnside and the structural modifications to Rockfort Island show a willingness to make bold alterations rather than simply updating graphics and controls.
This approach could result in remakes that feel genuinely fresh while honoring the original games’ core appeal. However, it also carries the risk of alienating fans who prefer faithful recreations over reimaginings.
Looking Ahead: The Remake Strategy
The focus on Code Veronica and Zero makes strategic sense for Capcom. Both games represent significant gaps in the modern Resident Evil catalog—important entries that newcomers can’t easily experience in updated form. Code Veronica, in particular, contains crucial story elements involving the Ashford family and Claire’s character development that are referenced throughout the series.
By modernizing these games, Capcom can provide complete access to the franchise’s history while potentially improving on elements that didn’t age well. The rumored timeline also suggests a sustainable release schedule that could keep the franchise active for years to come.
Conclusion: Patience and Cautious Optimism
While these rumors provide tantalizing glimpses of what might be coming next for Resident Evil remakes, fans would be wise to approach them with cautious optimism. The development troubles surrounding Zero remake serve as a reminder that game development is unpredictable, and even well-sourced rumors can prove inaccurate.
What seems clear is that Capcom recognizes the value of their remake strategy and intends to continue it beyond the current generation of releases. Whether that means we’ll see the specific changes rumored for Code Veronica and Zero remains to be seen, but the prospect of experiencing these classic games with modern technology and design sensibilities is exciting regardless of the exact details.
For now, fans can look forward to RE9 in February 2026 while keeping an eye out for official announcements about future remakes. If the rumors prove true, the late 2020s could be an incredibly exciting time for Resident Evil fans, with both new entries and modernized classics providing plenty of survival horror content to enjoy.
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