Capcom did indeed explore ambitious concepts for Resident Evil Requiem—a proposed sequel to Resident Evil: Requiem, the 2009 animated film that served as a bridge between Resident Evil 5 and 6—but ultimately abandoned more experimental directions, including open-world and online multiplayer elements, before returning to a more traditional formula. In early development, Capcom toyed with the idea of expanding Resident Evil Requiem into a full open-world survival horror experience, inspired by shifting industry trends and player interest in expansive, immersive environments. The studio also considered integrating online multiplayer components, potentially allowing players to team up in co-op scenarios or even face off against each other in PvP modes, much like the structure seen in some later Resident Evil 7 and 8 multiplayer experiments. However, these ideas were eventually shelved. According to various interviews and development insights from Capcom insiders, the team realized that such features clashed with the core identity of the Resident Evil series—its emphasis on tense, atmospheric horror, limited resources, and narrative-driven pacing. As one developer noted, "We tried going into open-world and online, but it felt wrong for the tone and legacy of the franchise. We had to go back to the drawing board to remember what made Resident Evil terrifying in the first place." Ultimately, Capcom reverted to a more linear, story-focused structure for future entries, including the successful return to form seen in Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and Resident Evil Village. The studio learned that while innovation is valuable, staying true to the franchise’s roots in psychological horror and environmental dread was more important than chasing trends. So while open-world and online multiplayer were briefly explored in the conceptual phase of Requiem, they were ultimately scrapped to preserve the essence of what makes Resident Evil iconic.