The highly anticipated Resident Evil Requiem, Capcom’s first major AAA game of 2026, was distributed almost ten days before its official release. Result: a massive wave of spoilers invaded social networks, triggering the anger of Hideki Kamiya, emblematic figure of the saga.
As players anxiously awaited their return to a devastated Raccoon City, some were able to get their hands on physical copies early. On February 21, 2026, Kamiya reacted publicly on X with particularly virulent remarks against those responsible for the leaks.
Resident Evil Requiem distributed 10 days too early
This type of incident is not unprecedented in the industry. Sometimes stores ship physical copies before the official date. But in the case of Resident Evil Requiem, the gap is significant: around ten days.
For a title presented as the first major AAA blockbuster of 2026, the stakes were colossal. Capcom had orchestrated massive communication around the return to Raccoon City, the emblematic setting of the franchise.
Soon, social media was flooded with screenshots, plot revelations and key storyline details. A situation which greatly annoyed part of the community and especially one of the historic creators of the license.
Hideki Kamiya reacts violently to spoilers
Hideki Kamiya, known for directing Resident Evil 2, Devil May Cry and Bayonetta, shared a particularly harsh message on February 21, 2026. He said in particular: “I remember Bio2, the final twist was completely revealed by a weekly photo magazine, right?… For your own personal satisfaction, you trample on the feelings of the players who were impatiently awaiting it, and those of the creators who poured their heart and soul into making it – a heinous act that destroys the happiness of all and deserves a thousand deaths… May you be cursed and never play video games again…”
A precedent that dates back to Resident Evil 2
When Resident Evil 2 was released in the late 1990s, the final twist had already been revealed before players could discover it for themselves. Kamiya evokes this episode to illustrate an old frustration. According to him, the premature disclosure of key elements affects not only the fans, but also the teams who devoted years to the design of the game. Resident Evil Requiem marks the return of an iconic universe in a ravaged Raccoon City, and the anticipation around this new opus is particularly high.
A wave of spoilers difficult to contain
With the early distribution of physical copies, the revelations spread at high speed. Social platforms have been flooded with content detailing the story, the characters and certain key moments. For players wishing to discover the adventure without being spoiled, the period preceding the official release promises to be delicate. The situation revives the debate on the management of physical releases and the control of embargoes in the video game industry.