Despite Resident Evil Requiem’s impressive financial achievement, crossing the $500 million mark according to Alinea Analytics’ recent estimates, the release of a new film in the franchise did not significantly drive an increase in game sales. The ninth instalment of this iconic horror series has become the fastest-selling Resident Evil game, though it still trails behind the Resident Evil 4 remake, which has earned over $600 million in three years.
Platform Success and Sales Figures
The PS5 version of Resident Evil Requiem has been the most popular, selling four million copies, 30% of which are physical despite the trend towards digital gaming. The game continues the series’ tradition of engaging players with its trademark terrifying environments and gameplay mechanics, a legacy dating back to the original PlayStation.
Film Impact and Market Strategies
The new Resident Evil film, directed by Zach Cregger, achieved a series-best opening weekend with global earnings exceeding $108 million. However, this cinematic success did not markedly boost Requiem’s game sales. Instead, Capcom’s pricing strategy, offering significant discounts across multiple games in the franchise shortly before the film’s release, played a more substantial role. The discounts led to Requiem generating 4% less daily revenue on the PS5, with daily earnings dropping from $284,000 to $271,000, highlighting that the demand increase was insufficient to offset the lower retail price.
Player Engagement Across the Franchise
Interestingly, the film’s premiere did result in an uptick in daily players for all Resident Evil games, with older titles seeing notable boosts. Resident Evil 2’s remake experienced a 48% surge in player numbers, benefiting from its compelling gameplay and the nostalgia of its Raccoon City setting. Meanwhile, Resident Evil 3’s remake saw a 25% rise in player activity.
Reporting based on coverage first published by eurogamer.net.