John-ShepardResident Evil is an iconic name in the world of video games, despite some long-time fans saying the IP has taken a downward turn.
In a long, detailed feature posted at Capcom's Investor Relations page , the publisher talks about why the acclaimed, enduring survival/horror series remains popular.
They talk about several factors that have helped keep the franchise relevant and successful. First on the list is the "elaborate settings and world" that keep players riveted, and then comes the necessity for "attractive" characters. Capcom believes players are more interested in recurring characters:
"The main characters have made many appearances spanning all the titles and get older and more mature as the series goes on. A character who was a rookie police officer when he debuted is a member of an organization under the direct control of the president in the latest game, and a powerless young girl has matured into a U.S. agent. Rather than fading away over the 17 years, they have become even deeper characters. This character appeal has also helped to win firm fans."
It also helps that Capcom swaps out creative talent for each new installment, which means that there's a different development team and set of producers for each entry. Some may argue that this hampers a cohesive vision, but the publisher sees it as a big benefit to the franchise's freshness. "Each creator adds their own touch to the strong Resident Evil identity, constantly creating a new Resident Evil just like a relay," they said.
That's all well and good, but many fans aren't too happy after Resident Evil: Raccoon City and Resident Evil 6 . In our estimation, one just plain sucked while the other was, at the very least, an interesting blend of various elements . The latter is still highly controversial.