During Summer Game Fest 2026, Capcom shocked fans of the Resident Evil franchise by finally revealing that it is, in fact, working on a remake of Resident Evil – Code: Veronica, now simply being called Resident Evil Veronica. Following the reveal, Scott and I were treated to a more intimate look at the game, featuring none other than Yoshiaki Hirabayashi, who has been attached to the Resident Evil series for quite some time and is the director of Resident Evil Veronica.
Following the reveal of Resident Evil Veronica, Hirabayashi took the stage for an extensive Q&A session, answering many of the biggest questions fans have had since the game’s announcement. Hirabayashi offered plenty of insight into Capcom’s approach to the remake.
I’ve transcribed this event using the notes I took during the session.
Resident Evil Veronica Is A Mainline Resident Evil In Capcom’s Eyes
Before taking questions, Hirabayashi explained why Capcom chose to remake Code: Veronica now. According to him, the development team has always viewed the original Code: Veronica as a story that is every bit as important as a numbered Resident Evil game. While Leon’s journey continued through Resident Evil 4, Claire’s story after the Raccoon City Incident has largely been left untouched.
However, Capcom wanted to change that. Code: Veronica bridges the stories of Claire Redfield, Chris Redfield, and Albert Wesker, making it a crucial chapter in the Resident Evil timeline despite never carrying a number.
Resident Evil Veronica Is Third-Person
One of the first questions answered was whether the remake would be first-person or third-person. Hirabayashi confirmed that Resident Evil Veronica is a third-person game. And while he said that, I kind of wondered if Capcom will go back on that at a later date, but for now, third-person is what it is.
Claire Isn’t Suddenly An Action Hero
Another topic that came up was how the remake balances survival horror with the more action-oriented gameplay seen in Resident Evil 4. Hirabayashi reminded fans that Code: Veronica takes place only about three months after the Raccoon City Incident.
Claire has survived one nightmare and has received training from Chris throughout her life, but she hasn’t suddenly become a government agent or highly trained operative. Instead, players should expect a capable but still vulnerable Claire who must once again survive overwhelming odds.
He also explained that Claire’s gameplay should feel like an evolution of what players experienced in Resident Evil 2 Remake, while incorporating lessons learned from Resident Evil 4 Remake. Rather than making Claire play exactly like Leon, the goal is to create a new gameplay style that fits her own abilities and personality.
The Resident Evil 2 And 4 Remake Teams Are Leading Development
Hirabayashi confirmed that the core development team behind Resident Evil Veronica consists of the same developers responsible for Resident Evil 2 Remake and Resident Evil 4 Remake. He also revealed that members of the team working on Resident Evil Requiem have contributed to the project, allowing the remake to benefit from the latest technology, design philosophies, and quality-of-life improvements developed across recent Resident Evil games.
Interestingly, Hirabayashi also noted that while the original Code: Veronica was developed by an external partner studio (Nextech /Nex Entertainment), Capcom still had staff involved with that project. Although very few, if any, of those original developers remain on the remake, members who worked alongside them and understood the game’s original vision are helping guide development.
Capcom Is Rebuilding, Not Simply Copying
When asked whether parts of the original game would be cut or streamlined, Hirabayashi understandably avoided giving direct answers. However, he explained that the team begins by identifying the moments fans remember most from the original game before discussing what new mechanics or ideas are necessary to deliver a modern survival horror experience.
Rather than simply recreating every scene exactly as it originally appeared, Capcom is rebuilding the experience while respecting what players loved about the original.
Quality Of Life Improvements Are A Major Focus
One fan specifically asked about some of the original game’s more frustrating mechanics. While Hirabayashi declined to reveal specific gameplay changes, he confirmed that the remake is benefiting from everything Capcom has learned through developing Resident Evil 2 Remake, Resident Evil 4 Remake, and Resident Evil Requiem.
That includes usability improvements and modern quality-of-life features that the studio believes players now expect from the series.
Steve Burnside Will Receive The Modern Remake Treatment
Steve Burnside’s reputation among fans also came up during the session, to which Hirabayashi laughed and admitted that he personally likes the original Steve while acknowledging that not everyone shares that opinion.
He jokingly claimed he didn’t even know whether Steve appears in the remake, drawing laughter from the audience, before adding that every remake in the series has focused on expanding its characters with greater personality, stronger motivations, and more believable drama. If Steve returns, players should expect a much deeper interpretation than they saw in the original release.
No, The V Does Not Mean Resident Evil 5
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the session came when a fan asked whether dropping “Code” from the title and emphasizing the large V was meant to imply Resident Evil 5.
I noticed Hirabayashi’s face as he answered that question immediately and stated, “The V does not signify five.” Instead, he explained that Capcom wanted to preserve the importance of the original Code: Veronica name while adopting the naming philosophy used by more recent Resident Evil games. Those titles emphasize a single defining word that represents the game’s central theme.
For this remake, that word is “Veronica.”
At the same time, Hirabayashi reiterated that Capcom considers Code: Veronica to occupy the same position in the series as a numbered Resident Evil title. The new name is intended to reinforce that importance, not hint at Resident Evil 5.
The Original Game Probably Won’t Be Included
One fan suggested making the original Code: Veronica unlockable within the remake. Hirabayashi quickly answered “No” before laughing and admitting it was actually a good idea. He then promised to pass the suggestion along to the development team.
Whether anything comes from that remains to be seen, but it was one of the lighter moments during the Q&A.
Resident Evil Veronica Still Has Plenty Of Mysteries
While Capcom answered many of the community’s biggest questions, the studio also made it clear that much remains under wraps. Specific gameplay systems, quality-of-life improvements, story changes, and exactly how the remake reimagines some of the original game’s most memorable moments are being saved for future reveals.
That concluded our Q&A session. And while there were still plenty of questions to ask, one thing is abundantly clear: Capcom isn’t treating Resident Evil Veronica as a side story. Internally, the studio sees it as one of the franchise’s most important chapters, and it’s being rebuilt with the same care and attention given to the numbered entries in the series.
Resident Evil Veronica is currently in development for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam, and Switch 2.
