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[Dusk Golem]

Resident Evil series producer Masachika Kawata was interviewed by Game Informer to answer questions they thought fans might want to know about RE7 and how it's a split from the series it comes from.

GI: Considering how much of a departure the game is both aesthetically and narratively (from what we've seen), why name it Resident Evil 7 instead of calling it a reboot? Do you consider this game to be a reboot for the franchise from a gameplay perspective?

MK: If you look at just the gameplay that's been shown so far, you may think of it as a reboot at first, but the story and narrative have shaped up to fit the series as a numbered title. It is still a Resident Evil title, which draws on the series' roots of horror, exploration, puzzles, and combat while offering something new. Rather than playing it safe and sticking with what we're used to, we strived to create something new that would impact players in a different way with a more immersive, personal experience. We wanted to create a game that really pushes survival horror to the forefront and focus on what makes a game scary, while still being a fun and entertaining experience from a gameplay perspective.


GI: So far all the teasers and demos we've seen haven't been from the actual game, causing confusion from fans about how the game will play. Why has there been so much secrecy about the game and why did you choose to present it this way?

MK:In order to fully enjoy a horror title, we don't think it's good to release too much information beforehand. What's hidden in the darkness? Who are the enemies? How do I escape? These are questions we would prefer to leave unanswered before the player experiences the game, so that they can uncover things on their own. As a result, we understand some fans have questions about the contents of the game, but we assure you that we're ready to deliver a Resident Evil horror experience of the utmost quality.


GI: The series has been going in a more action-oriented direction, why did you feel now was the time to shift back to horror?

MK: We had three consecutive Resident Evil titles filled with action, and we figured this would be a good time to switch gears and challenge ourselves to do something new. The past few titles have increased to a grander scale, and as we approached the 20th anniversary and evaluated the series' legacy and roots, we were inspired to create something more personal this time around. What better way to celebrate the franchise than to return to its roots in survival horror and take it in a new direction with an immersive, terrifying experience.

GI: Will we see a return to the campiness that the first four games were known for? Or is this a more serious title?

MK: We're pretty focused on embracing the aspect of "horror." However, at the end of the day, it's still a video game designed for entertainment, so we made sure to include scenarios that will pull your emotions in all sorts of directions.


GI: Why the transition to a first-person view?

MK: When we decided on the direction of focusing on horror, we thought that having a first-person perspective would be the most effective way to fully immerse the player in the experience. By making the player the main character, we believe they'll be able to have a more personal connection to what's going on and experience survival horror like never before.


GI: Did the team pick up any best practices from The Umbrella Chronicles regarding the first-person camera and horror?

MK:They are similar in terms of both having a first-person camera perspective, but they're fundamentally two different types of games: one is on-rail shooting where the focus is shooting action that's presented to you in a way where you experience it as it comes to you. RE 7 on the other hand is a more immersive campaign where you, the player, becomes the protagonist and must experience everything for yourself with more control over your interaction with the surroundings. So, although they both use first-person camera views, they're intended to achieve different purposes.


GI: What prompted the switch to a Western writer as opposed to a Japanese one?

MK: The base script was still written by our Japanese script writer actually, but we also wanted to have an English native's perspective to have a final check in making sure the story worked for the West.


GI: What were some of the team's inspirations for this title?

MK: The team certainly looked at a wide range of all kinds of horror, including movies, books, and games. We don't want to spoil anything, and there wasn't necessarily one key influence per se. However, one of the strongest influences we can say for this game was actually the original Resident Evil games themselves and wanting to stay true to the franchise, so players are bound to pick up subtle nods and elements throughout the game.

GI: How much has the game being fully compatible with PSVR affected the design?

MK: The core game content is the same. However, we definitely took measures to maximize player comfort when playing in VR. For example, we changed the player's movement speed. We spent a fair amount of time even at the conceptual stage, trying to figure out how to make things work as best as possible in VR.


GI: Any misconceptions about the game that you'd like to clear up?

MK: At first glance, it may not seem like it, but this title will offer plenty of familiar aspects of Resident Evil, from fighting against different creatures to tense, atmospheric exploration and solving various puzzles. As mentioned previously, there are even some subtle nods throughout the game that we hope fans will enjoy discovering as they play

More at the link.

Mostly about the identity of RE7, but this comes up so often in discussion about the game I thought this new interview waranted discussion. What do you think RE7 will turn out to be? In spirit with the rest of the series? Not your style of RE7? Has potential, have issues with it? Let's talk about RE7 and its identity as we know it now a month before release.

Spill your brains below.

 

[AkelisRain]

Sounds good, I'll will be interested to play come January.

 

[giancarlo123x]

This is the game I'm looking forward to most next year, game is going to make me shit myself in vr.

 

[Sora the Cat]

That actually makes sense, just as RE4 wasn't a reboot either.

 

[Resonance]

GI: What prompted the switch to a Western writer as opposed to a Japanese one?

MK: The base script was still written by our Japanese script writer actually, but we also wanted to have an English native's perspective to have a final check in making sure the story worked for the West.

Looks like the writing will still have those Japanese elements at it's core, like the previous installments. Which is a good thing

 

[Crankshaft]

Sounds like the standard, "our game is neat. Please be interested" response Producers always give.

 

[wanderingprostheyltite]

Day 0

There currently any good pre-order prices for PC version?

 

[Dusk Golem]

Day 0

There currently any good pre-order prices for PC version?

GMG has a 10% winter sale coupon and VIP discount so you can pre-order the game for $40-something (and the Deluxe Edition, which is game+Season Pass, for $60 or so).

GMG timed code is: SALE10

 

[Son Of Sparda]

I think RE7 will be a good horror game, but won't be the kind of RE that I want. I would've been okay with either classic or modern over the shoulder RE games. But this? I'm not sure.

I've tried to like it but everything about it is just... uninteresting.

I havent been keeping up with this game but are RE fans actually excited for it?

RE fans have vastly different tastes. There are some people like me who have zero interest in it and then there are fans who are 100% on board.

 

[Bronetta]

I havent been keeping up with this game but are RE fans actually excited for it?

 

[TheSpoiler]

I havent been keeping up with this game but are RE fans actually excited for it?

Plenty are. Some don't like it, though. It's a bit divisive.

 

[Se_7_eN]

So damn excited for this!

Going in blind (Other than the demo), can't wait

 

[leroidys]

Sounds like the standard, "our game is neat. Please be interested" response Producers always give.

How so? He's answering the questions in detail.

 

[legacyzero]

God I can't wait. Was so ready for RE to do something different. RE6 was the epitome of shit.

 

[AAMARMO]

Is it me but I don't want Resident Evil Lore to turn like Metal Gear Solid wise.

 

[dragonflys545]

Wish they added in third person view too...

 

[kunonabi]

I'm hoping it turns out well since this exactly the kind of shakeup the series needs. That said, the demo and the first-person perspective pretty much torpedoes the game for me personally. I'll probably just watch my brother play through it.

 

[Yamibito]

I havent been keeping up with this game but are RE fans actually excited for it?

Mixed reaction it looks like. I've been a huge fan of the series but I never kept up with the spinoffs, mostly because they didn't interest me much. Thought Resident Evil 6 was the worst mainline entry by far and proof that they couldn't take their current formula any further, which is why I'm super excited about this new one. Injecting fresh blood into the series while digging deep into its roots so much that it harkens back to Sweet Home and the original Resident Evil with its intimate setting and puzzle solving, I think it's the coolest way to bring the original formula into the modern era. What Resident Evil means to people is hard to pinpoint because it's so different for each individual, but to me Resident Evil is about providing a cool-ass horror experience, and RE7 looks to be doubling down on the horror to the point it's actually scary again for the first time in two decades.

Most fans seem to be writing it off, though. Maybe it's the fact it's not the exact same thing as the original trilogy or it's just not the slick action of the last three, but whatever it is people seem apprehensive because it's "borrowing" from a few games, as if the first three never did that, or something. I don't know, the negative reaction confuses me unless people literally just like 4, 5, and 6. To me, Resident Evil 6 was not Resident Evil, mostly because it was just bad and I associate the name of the series with quality.

 

[Razgriz-Specter]

Still not feeling it at all as a hardcore fan.
Honestly it turns me off so much it made me completely change my opinion on Resident Evil Zero in my recent playthrough.

 

[Astral Dog]

God Bless Resident Evil 7

 

[DVCY201]

Wish they added in third person view too...

Ditto. I'm worried that the first person view will be too disorientating. I found it claustrophobic in the demo, hopefully even just camera options will be present

 

[Shredderi]

I still kinda think that their reason to go this route is because they don't have the cash to do a huge production RE like before, so they did this and presented it as wanting to go back to the roots. I know that's super cynical of me, but if it ends up being for the better then all the better. Right now, I'm not sure though. I really need to see a spoilery review that tells me if it becomes more interesting midway through or something.

 

[Renekton]

I havent been keeping up with this game but are RE fans actually excited for it?

Not very.

Then again continuing RE6 style or regressing to RE2 is franchise death anyways.

 

[Skellybroski88]

I cannot wait for RE7. The third person horror game is such an outdated concept, and it blows my mind that so many people are outraged with a much needed change to the Resident Evil franchise.

 

[wanderingprostheyltite]

GMG has a 10% winter sale coupon and VIP discount so you can pre-order the game for $40-something (and the Deluxe Edition, which is game+Season Pass, for $60 or so).

GMG timed code is: SALE10

Thanks!

 

[Pennywise]

God I can't wait. Was so ready for RE to do something different. RE6 was the epitome of shit.

Yup. Can't wait for it.
5 and especially 6 ran everything into the ground. Everything was so damn over the top.

Can't wait to see a proper new approach and finally we move away from all those characters that have been overused for 58373 titles. It was about time they changed something, while finding their own pillars of identity. Looks great and the previews sounded pretty great.

 

[Astral Dog]

Is it me but I don't want Resident Evil Lore to turn like Metal Gear Solid wise.

Too late my friend.you should check the RE6 cutscenes

 

[AquaWateria]

Just wished there were a third person option.

 

[Razgriz-Specter]

I still kinda think that their reason to go this route is because they don't have the cash to do a huge production RE like before, so they did this and presented it as wanting to go back to the roots. I know that's super cynical of me, but if it ends up being for the better then all the better. Right now, I'm not sure though. I really need to see a spoilery review that tells me if it becomes more interesting midway through or something.

Wouldn't surprise me, 6's budget was had to be one of the most ridiculous game budgets ever.
Revelations 2 as amazing as it was looked cheap as hell.
Umbrella Corps was an aborted abomination that actually had potential.
Even the cg movie has a lesser company making it this time.

 

[Astral Dog]

I still kinda think that their reason to go this route is because they don't have the cash to do a huge production RE like before, so they did this and presented it as wanting to go back to the roots. I know that's super cynical of me, but if it ends up being for the better then all the better. Right now, I'm not sure though. I really need to see a spoilery review that tells me if it becomes more interesting midway through or something.

Yes thats obviously a reason, RE6 was mighty expensive and not so well recieved, you have to give credit to Capcom for taking this risk though, totally new direction for the series. and while the game wont have the bombastic action of RE6 they developed a totally new engine for realistic graphics @ 60fps

 

[Razgriz-Specter]

they developed a totally new engine for realistic graphics @ 60fps

And yet 6 looks more impressive for the most part, especially the PS4 port.

 

[Stallion Dan]

I havent been keeping up with this game but are RE fans actually excited for it?

Very divided.

Myself for example had bought every RE game ever on release, own some games in the series 10+ times, have cosplayed, spent god knows on merch, books, have unreleased betas and more...

...I got zero hype for this and think it's gonna be awful.

 

[Astral Dog]

Wouldn't surprise me, 6's budget was had to be one of the most ridiculous game budgets ever.
Revelations 2 as amazing as it was looked cheap as hell.
Umbrella Corps was an aborted abomination that actually had potential.
Even the cg movie has a lesser company making it this time.

Just imagine in other reality we would have got a true sequel to RE6 shootier, bigger,flashier, with more explosions and totally new graphics wank.

 

[Chaos2Frozen]

I havent been keeping up with this game but are RE fans actually excited for it?

Waiting for the next horror action installment.

(Yes I know about Daymare)

 

[RustyNails]

First Person = no buy. Sorry.

 

[kirblar]

God I can't wait. Was so ready for RE to do something different. RE6 was the epitome of shit.

Yeah, after RE6, something that's not in the RE4/5/6 vein makes a lot of people very happy.

 

[Astral Dog]

And yet 6 looks more impressive for the most part, especially the PS4 port.

, I think the final game will look far better than the Demo, wich is supposedly very old running on an early REngine version , the trailers look better at least.

Its very interesting tech

 

[Animator]

First Person = no buy. Sorry.

Your loss. Day 0 for me. Game will be amazing.

 

[Adam_802]

I've never played a RE game, and I have pretty much zero interest in the franchise.


Ill be buying RE7 day 1 based on what ive seen. Just saying.

 

[ethomaz]

Looks great.

I think this game will surprise everybody with 90+ meta and the first GOTY content in 2017.

 

[Wanderer5]

GMG has a 10% winter sale coupon and VIP discount so you can pre-order the game for $40-something (and the Deluxe Edition, which is game+Season Pass, for $60 or so).

GMG timed code is: SALE10

How much longer is the coupon going to be around? I probably dive in for the standard edition later this week there.

 

[Piichan]

My most anticipated game of 2017. It's the main reason I bought a PSVR.

 

[EricB]

I havent been keeping up with this game but are RE fans actually excited for it?

I have been playing RE games since purchasing the big box PS1 version on release back in 1996. Fell off the boat a bit after 4 (which was ok, but didn't really do it for me in the way RE 1 & 2 did). I played, but was very disappointed with 5, and never even bothered with 6.

After playing the VR demo of this game, I will be purchasing it day one.

 

[Lulubop]

And yet 6 looks more impressive for the most part, especially the PS4 port.

No lol

RE6 is one of the most inconsistent looking AAA games ever.

This might not be the best looking game ever, but it looks damn good, is consistent and is 60 fps on console.

 

[Pennywise]

Just imagine in other reality we would have got a true sequel to RE6 shootier, bigger,flashier, with more explosions and totally new graphics wank.

People should have already showed them the middle finger after they gave us a Wesker clearly influenced by certain Hollywood movies in Code Veronica. This was already shit and nearly ruined the game..Can't believe they further elevated this piss poor narrative and villain even further with RE5.

That's what I really like about the interview as contrast.
RE5 + 6 clearly showed that to much influence from other games or movies started these patchwork games. Someone just thought "oh this sold well, we should include similar segments into RE".
That's just not gonna work. Playing the franchise and seeing what's part of their own identity is important.

 

[Sesha]

For me, RE4 was the last game in the series I loved. While RE5 did some good updates to the controls and combat, RE6 has a really innovative and unique combat system, and both games shine in the side modes, I really hate the campaigns. They were poorly designed compared to RE4 and just not fun for me. I also dislike that RE6 squandered the "Avengers" potential of its premise. We should have had Jill and Claire tagging along with Chris and Leon, instead of getting the second class protagonist stamp and being relegated to the sub-sequel limbo that is Revelations. I also didn't care for the lackluster controls and gunplay of the Revelations games. They suffer from the curse that lower budget side-games and spin-offs always suffer from.

For all the complaints about RE4 "ruining the franchise", I don't agree. Capcom could have switched up the gameplay once again. Future games didn't have to be like 4. Remember, 4 didn't sell all that well initially. At least the campaigns wouldn't have been so disappointing compared to RE4 that way. All of the tonal and thematic issues were already there in CV and 0. Nothing got better with later games. Plot-wise, although RE4 skipped the promised final confrontation with Umbrella, they could have not killed off Spencer unceremoniously in 5, or done something with the viruses Wesker had been gathering (the C-Virus wasn't Wesker's doing). They could have done cool things with Jill, Claire, and Rebecca instead of just Revelations and silly movies.
So I don't agree with the notion that RE4 "ruined the franchise". It wasn't going anywhere good fast anyway, in large part thanks to Capcom frantically milking the series after the successes of RE and RE2. The sales and acclaim got the series back on the radar. Unfortunately, Inafune and corporate petulance had driven the stars of RE, Mikami and Kamiya, away from Capcom (although Mikami's stubborness had seemingly hurt his standing within the company), which left the series without its top minds.

So the last 11 years of RE have done nothing for me. They might as well start over like they have with RE7. While there's things I like about it, I have a number of concerns. My biggest concern is the controls and gunplay, the latter because the Revelations director Koushi Nakanishi is directing this. The gunplay in that game is a piece of soggy toast compared to the absolute delights that are RE4 and 5 in that area.

Whether or not RE7 will make me care about the franchise again, or if I'll move my hopes over to RE2 Remake, I'll know in a month or so.

 

[Mechazawa]

Just imagine in other reality we would have got a true sequel to RE6 shootier, bigger,flashier, with more explosions and totally new graphics wank.

Stop, I can only get so erect.

 

[Stallion Dan]

That's what I really like about the interview as contrast.
RE5 + 6 clearly showed that to much influence from other games or movies started these patchwork games. Someone just thought "oh this sold well, we should include similar segments into RE".
That's just not gonna work. Playing the franchise and seeing what's part of their own identity is important.

But it clearly just copying what other popular horror games are doing, based on everything they have shown.

 

[Movalpolos]

I'm ready and I'm confident this new direction will be worth it. 3rd person RE games will still exist as well.

 

[RSB]

GI: Considering how much of a departure the game is both aesthetically and narratively (from what we've seen), why name it Resident Evil 7 instead of calling it a reboot? Do you consider this game to be a reboot for the franchise from a gameplay perspective?

MK: If you look at just the gameplay that's been shown so far, you may think of it as a reboot at first, but the story and narrative have shaped up to fit the series as a numbered title. It is still a Resident Evil title, which draws on the series' roots of horror, exploration, puzzles, and combat while offering something new. Rather than playing it safe and sticking with what we're used to, we strived to create something new that would impact players in a different way with a more immersive, personal experience. We wanted to create a game that really pushes survival horror to the forefront and focus on what makes a game scary, while still being a fun and entertaining experience from a gameplay perspective.

Something new? LOL.

RE4 was doing something new (no other game played like it back then) RE7 is just following what many other games have been doing these past few years (and going the first person horror route also makes it very easy for them to capitalize on VR, which I'm sure was their goal)

Very divided.

Myself for example had bought every RE game ever on release, own some games in the series 10+ times, have cosplayed, spent god knows on merch, books, have unreleased betas and more...

...I got zero hype for this and think it's gonna be awful.

Same. I love both styles (classic and action) but everything I've seen and played about this "new" style they are trying with RE7 seems terrible. Definitely not the path I want this franchise to follow (and that's why I'm not gonna buy it)