Reactions to Capcom’s reveal of the Resident Evil 2 remake were largely positive, ranging from effusive to optimistically squeamish. Publishers never know how fans will react until they see it for themselves, though, so Capcom was understandably nervous before showing it off.
“We had discussions of whether we could make a game that was everything for everyone,” Capcom Europe COO Stuart Turner told GamesIndustry.biz. “For those guys who want tank controls and want fixed cameras… can we do that? But the world has moved on and these players have changed. And if we did [introduce old school mechanics], these fans might play it and actually decide it’s not what they wanted after all.”
EMEA marketing director Antoine Molant said those lingering questions over how fans would adapt to change were still hanging over their heads when time for the debut came.
“That was probably the main worry, or question mark, that we had,” Molant said. “We knew there were expectations around the game, and we knew it looked great and would be a good game. But around the point of the tank controls and fixed cameras, we were worried that the fanbase would be divided. But, although there might have been some initial dissenting voices, the reaction was overwhelmingly positive.”
Turner added that the company is looking for financial success, obviously, but wants to balance those concerns with the artistic ones. As an example, he cited the radical departure of Resident Evil 7.
“While we have shareholders to appease, it’s not just about commercial performance,” Turner said. “There is an artistic element that always comes in where we know this is the right way. And while if we compare RE7 to RE6 the absolute numbers are not the same, in terms of the profitability… it’s completely fine. It ticked all of our boxes internally. It was really well received. And in some respects, getting some very good review scores counts as much for Capcom as a game that sells millions and millions and millions. We’d prefer a game that got a 9 and sold less, than got a 6 but sold more.”
Resident Evil 2 is coming on January 25, 2019. Check out our pre-order guide for more details.