There is good news from the Japanese gaming giant Capcom. According to the company, the Resident Evil 4 Remake, released in March last year, has managed to sell 8 million copies in just over a year and a half. The company shared this exciting news on its social media account along with a special anime-style illustration.
Resident Evil 4 Remake Brings Joy to Capcom
It is not surprising that the Resident Evil series, one of the most recognized names in horror games, has achieved this success. Indeed, the second game of the series, Resident Evil 2 Remake, which was re-released in 2019, reached 13.9 million sales over five years, successfully maintaining the title of the best-selling game in the series.
Capcom’s success has initiated a remake trend in the Japanese gaming world. Konami’s recently released Silent Hill 2 Remake has received high praise from players, while Square Enix’s Final Fantasy VII Remake, released in 2020, sold 7 million copies by last September. However, sales figures for the second installment of the trilogy, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, have not yet been disclosed. The company’s layoffs in May raised concerns within the industry.
Recently, PlayStation’s increased focus on remakes has sparked debates in the gaming world. Since 2013, The Last of Us has been remade twice, and the recent announcement of the remake of 2017’s Horizon: Zero Dawn has come under scrutiny. This month’s release of Until Dawn’s PS5 version has added a new dimension to these discussions.
Shawn Layden, the former president of Sony Interactive Entertainment, stated this week that creativity in the world of big-budget games has officially collapsed. Layden cited the uncontrolled rise in game development costs as the primary reason for this situation.
Experts suggest that the low risk and guaranteed profit of remakes have led studios to update old successful games instead of pursuing new projects. This situation raises questions about the future of the gaming industry, while also offering new-generation players the chance to experience classic titles with modern graphics, presenting another aspect of the discussion.