Resident Evil 9: The Next Evolution in Survival Horror
The Resident Evil franchise continues to dominate the world of survival horror, and fans are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the next installment — Resident Evil 9. After the massive success of Resident Evil Village, Capcom seems to be gearing up for another chilling experience. From potential storylines to speculated titles like Resident Evil 9: Apocalypse, here’s everything you need to know about the much-anticipated game.
What Is Resident Evil 9?
Resident Evil 9 is expected to be the next mainline entry in Capcom’s legendary horror series. As the ninth major title, it's likely to build upon the narrative of the previous games, particularly Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and Resident Evil Village, which introduced Ethan Winters and a new storyline outside of the classic Raccoon City saga.
A New Chapter in Horror Gaming
Resident Evil 9 may take the franchise into new territory, both narratively and geographically. Rumors suggest it could introduce fresh characters, eerie locations, and a darker, more supernatural tone. With the working title reportedly being Resident Evil 9: Apocalypse, fans are buzzing with theories about what “apocalypse” might hint at in terms of gameplay and plot.
Resident Evil 9 Release Date: What We Know
One of the most asked questions online is: When is the Resident Evil 9 release date?
As of now, Capcom has not officially announced a release date for Resident Evil 9. However, various insider leaks and industry speculation suggest that the game is currently in development and may release as early as late 2025 or early 2026. Given the typical development cycle of major Resident Evil titles, this timeline makes sense — Resident Evil Village was released in 2021, and Capcom often works on a 4-5 year cycle between mainline games.
Early Development Rumors
According to some reliable industry sources, Resident Evil 9 has been in development since at least 2018. These early reports, combined with Capcom’s consistent push for annual releases (including remakes and spin-offs), hint that the next major installment is closer than we think.
Resident Evil 9: Apocalypse – Is This the Final Title?
Many fans believe the upcoming title will be called Resident Evil 9: Apocalypse, based on leaks from credible sources and internal Capcom documentation. While the title hasn’t been confirmed officially, it aligns with the thematic evolution of the series — from viruses and bioterrorism to more apocalyptic and supernatural threats.
What Could “Apocalypse” Mean?
The word “Apocalypse” implies a cataclysmic event or the end of the world — a fitting direction if the game plans to scale up from the isolated horrors of Resident Evil Village. This could involve:
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A global outbreak of a new bioweapon
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The fall of major cities
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Supernatural enemies influenced by viruses
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A darker, more psychological tone
The title may also symbolize the conclusion of the storyline that began with Resident Evil 7, possibly wrapping up the Ethan Winters arc — or introducing a brand-new protagonist.
Expected Gameplay and Features
While no official gameplay footage of Resident Evil 9 has been released, fans and insiders have speculated about several potential features.
First-Person or Third-Person?
Resident Evil 7 and Village used a first-person perspective, which significantly increased the horror element. Some rumors suggest Resident Evil 9 will continue this trend, while others say it may return to a third-person view like the remakes of Resident Evil 2 and 4. A hybrid system could be possible, giving players the option to switch perspectives.
Open World and Exploration
Another exciting rumor is the potential for open-world exploration. Resident Evil Village introduced semi-open areas with exploration, and Capcom may expand on this by making Resident Evil 9 a fully open-world game, possibly set in a remote village or crumbling city overtaken by bio-mutants.
AI Improvements and Enemy Variety
Capcom is expected to improve enemy AI and introduce more diverse enemies, including new types of mutated creatures, smarter enemies, and possibly even supernatural foes—especially if “Apocalypse” involves elements beyond science.
Will Familiar Faces Return?
With each new Resident Evil installment, fans eagerly hope for the return of iconic characters like Leon S. Kennedy, Chris Redfield, or Jill Valentine. While Resident Evil 9 might introduce a new lead, some leaks have hinted that Chris Redfield may play a supporting role, continuing from his appearance in Village.
Ethan Winters: Will He Return?
Spoiler alert for Resident Evil Village — Ethan’s fate was left ambiguous. While many believe his story ended in Village, Resident Evil 9 may surprise us with flashbacks, new revelations, or even his return.
Resident Evil 9 Will Redefine Horror Again
Though Capcom has kept things under wraps, it’s clear that Resident Evil 9 is going to be one of the most talked-about and anticipated horror games of the coming years. Whether it ends up being called Resident Evil 9: Apocalypse or something else entirely, the franchise’s legacy ensures that fans are in for a terrifying and thrilling ride.
Stay tuned as we await more updates, trailers, and an official Resident Evil 9 release date.
Mavericks face a sticky Kyrie Irving problem they may never solve
The Dallas Mavericks' 2024-25 season crumbled beneath them when Kyrie Irving tore his ACL on March 3 against the Sacramento Kings, and the shockwaves of this injury will radiate into the 2025-26 season for Dallas. The Mavericks will be without Irving for an indefinite period of time to begin the season, as he has refrained from giving an exact timetable for his return, and even if he does return at the end of next season, Dallas is poised for a tough situation when it comes to how they manage him and his injury.
Assuming Irving returns at some point after the All-Star break, the Mavericks will be in an all-out sprint down the final stretch of the season to secure a good playoff seed. With Dallas's lack of guard depth, they could be forced to heavily rely upon Irving right away, and this is exactly what they need to stay away from.
The 2025-26 end-of-season stretch will look quite different from their final stretch in the 2023-24 season, which ultimately propelled them all the way to the NBA Finals, and Mavs fans shouldn't expect them to be in a position to play catch-up if they fall way behind in the standings.
Mavericks' Kyrie Irving injury battle will continue even once he's healthy
2024 was different because they added P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford to a stacked roster, and while they will be adding Irving to a formidable roster in 2026 when he returns, Jason Kidd won't be able to just throw him in the fire like he did with Washington and Gafford. He will be coming off one of the most devastating injuries that an athlete can suffer, and after he signed a three-year deal with Dallas this offseason, they need to be as careful as possible.
Irving has already made it clear that he will take as much time as he needs to rehab rather than rushing back, which is the obvious right move, but it may be hard for him to get to 100 percent before the NBA Playoffs begin.
If Irving were to return right after the All-Star break, Dallas would have only 27 games until the regular season ends and the postseason begins. This could end up being plenty of time for Irving to get back to his normal self if he returns at this time, but any additional missed time after that would put him and the Mavs in a complicated situation.
Irving is going to undoubtedly be on a minutes restriction once he returns, and this could end up lasting multiple weeks depending on how his body responds. He is known for taking his time with some injuries, and even though this is a necessary precaution at this point in his career, the Mavs are going to have to walk a fine line of playing him the right amount of minutes while also not pushing him too hard.
The Mavericks playing Irving too much or pushing him too hard after he returns could lead to another injury, and that would sink their season immediately. While Irving's initial ACL tear had nothing to do with overexertion, reinjury is a completely different ball game, and the Mavs are going to have to play their cards right to ensure that they have good title chances next year, as well as the future.
Kidd and company are going to have to put a major focus on managing Irving's minutes conservatively, and this is going to be one of the coaching staff's biggest challenges of the season.
Everyone knows that Irving is one of the most skilled offensive players in the NBA when fully healthy, and only time will tell if he is able to get to that point next season. Irving returning right before the playoffs could lead to his minutes restriction stretching into the postseason, and for Dallas to have a chance at making a run, they are going to need him to be at his best.
