Resident Evil 9 is officially in development, as confirmed by Capcom, with Kōshi Nakanishi, the director of Resident Evil 7, leading the project. However, there is currently no official release window announced for the game32.
Speculation suggests that fans may have to wait until 2026 for its release. Industry insider Dusk Golem has indicated that the game might not be released until then, pointing out that development has faced delays16. While some rumors hinted at a potential release in 2025, the consensus among various sources leans towards a later date due to ongoing development challenges and the possibility of a remake of Resident Evil Zero being prioritized for an earlier release124.
In terms of gameplay and narrative direction, there are intriguing rumors suggesting that Resident Evil 9 may adopt an open-world format, a significant shift for the series known for its linear gameplay48. Additionally, reports indicate that Leon S. Kennedy, a long-time fan-favorite character, is expected to be the protagonist6.
As of now, fans will need to stay tuned for further announcements from Capcom regarding official details and updates on Resident Evil 9.