Capcom seems to be walking a tightrope with Resident Evil 9.
The latest wave of leaks and insider reports suggest the game is not only nearing a full reveal at Summer Game Fest 2025 but could also be targeting a Q1 2026 release.
The timing would fall between January and March, giving it a chance to lead before GTA 6 drops. It seems like a good idea on paper to get attention while the release schedule is quiet, avoid competing with Rockstar’s big game, and start the franchise’s 30th anniversary well.
The early window could boost RE9’s visibility for a few months, yet it also puts Capcom in a risky position.
How Could Early Timing Work in Capcom’s Favor?
If Resident Evil 9 drops in Q1, it will have a clear path, at least until GTA 6 arrives in May.
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+ 5That kind of game doesn’t simply bring sales; it dominates all the talk. Coming out after might cause RE9 to be buried under Rockstar’s hype and loyal crowd.
Coming out first gives Capcom the opportunity to draw interest while the audience is still hungry for a big title.
That’s especially important in a year where most studios are holding off until later in the cycle just to avoid GTA’s shadow.
The schedule puts extra pressure on RE9 to launch soon, considering it’s been worked on since 2017 and revised multiple times.
What Has Changed About RE9’s Development?
At one point, it was reportedly going to be an open-world co-op game featuring Jill Valentine and set on a fictional Southeast Asian island.
click to enlarge+ 5Now, it’s said to be a more traditional, horror-focused single-player experience, with Leon Kennedy returning for what insiders are calling the end of his trilogy.
The current version is also rumored to introduce a new playable character meant to carry the torch forward alongside a more “witchy” gothic horror atmosphere that builds on the tone of Resident Evil Village but dials it in a darker direction.
Is Capcom Taking a Risk by Releasing So Soon?
Yes, the goal is obvious: this is reportedly the most expensive Resident Evil game to date, and it plans to rethink the series formula once again.
click to enlarge+ 5It’s borrowing tech from recent RE Engine advancements seen in Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Monster Hunter Wilds, and it's designed to blend large explorable zones with tight, atmospheric horror.
But that kind of scope doesn’t come without risk. Even though development began years ago, changes to the game’s direction, multiple delays, and the ongoing challenge of reinventing one of gaming’s most iconic series all suggest that Capcom needs to take its time.
Racing to release in Q1 risks a less polished launch, as the studio has experienced before.
What Financial or Market Challenges Could Impact RE9?
Fans are ready, but Capcom’s 2025–2026 financial forecast doesn’t show a big tentpole title, implying RE9 is either further away or that Capcom is playing it close to the vest.
click to enlarge+ 5Either way, if they do decide to pull the trigger on an early launch, they’ll be doing so at a time when many gamers may already be saving their money for GTA 6.
No matter how well RE9 performs, the massive presence of GTA might draw attention away from its potential success.
Could Resident Evil 9 Still Make an Impact?
Yes, there’s still a chance that an early RE9 release pays off, especially if the game reinvents the series as RE7 did.
click to enlarge+ 5If Capcom wraps up Leon’s story well while laying the groundwork for what’s next — it could stand strong even in a year full of big titles. But if it's anything less than excellent, it may find itself quickly forgotten in the tidal wave of releases coming later in 2026.
Capcom is clearly betting big on Resident Evil 9. Whether releasing it early helps them get ahead or ends up backfiring depends on one thing: how ready the game actually is when the curtain lifts. A head start only matters if what you’re showing is strong enough to keep people watching.
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