Resident Evil at 30: how Capcom’s horror opus has survived and thrived

Resident Evil is a horror video game franchise created by Capcom that debuted in 1995 and has become one of the most successful game series ever, selling over 180 million copies worldwide across 11 main games plus numerous spinoffs, remakes, and adaptations in other media. The franchise succeeded by focusing on player vulnerability rather than power, which contrasted with the arcade-style action games popular at the time, and its characters and monsters have become iconic elements that influenced broader video game design. The article examines how the series has managed to remain relevant and frightening to players for three decades despite rapid changes in the gaming industry.