This is kiiiinda interesting.  So, according to Capcom the majority of Resident Evil fans are in their late 30s to 40s.  Ahem.  Let’s pause here for a moment.  The first Resident Evil title released in what, 1996?  That was 18 years ago, which would mean that the majority of gamers who picked up the first Resident Evil had to be at least 20-years-old to be considered to be in their “late” 30s today.  Damn, I was eight when I first played Resident Evil!  No wonder I was scarred. ( Can you humor me and tell me at what age you got into Resident Evil?) 

Soooo Capcom is worried that a percentage of these gamers, the ones in their 30s and 40s, are going to outgrow games altogether as they age which would mean bad news berries for Resident Evil.  SO WHAT DOES CAPCOM DO?! 

They…they, uh, advertise in fashion magazines. 

“The longevity of the “Resident Evil” title also comes with problems.  The main user group is now in their late-30s to 40s, and the average age is also going up as the series goes on with an increasing possibility that some percentage of the existing users will outgrow games altogether.  Therefore, there is a constant need to gain new users, and the creation of opportunities for exposure in fashion magazines was carried out as an example.  However, obviously game information is not carried by fashion magazines. 

Therefore, we have created opportunities for receiving coverage in fashion magazines by collaborating with fashion brands which are popular among young people.  We are also actively working on spreading name recognition among non-gamers through expansion in other industries, including the “Halloween Horror Night” event in alliance with Universal Studios Japan (USJ) and the opening of the “Resident Evil Café and Grill S.T.A.R.S.” (a “Resident Evil”-themed restaurant) in Shibuya PARCO, Tokyo.  These collaborative events are opportunities to be enjoyed by non-gamers as well, so it is important to plan them so that anyone can enjoy them and not aim them at a section of our core gamers.” 

Huh.  Okay, so I think it’s really cool that Capcom is branching out with the Resident Evil franchise and doing fun things and whatnot (anyone who knows me knows I love any and all things Resident Evil, hell, I flew to Universal Studios FOR the Resident Evil haunted house), but having a Resident Evil Cafe in Tokyo or a Haunted House isn’t going to convince gamers out ‘here in these western parts to purchase the next Resident Evil title.  The series is faltering because of the reputations of the games, and I can’t help but think these promotional shindigs aren’t going to carry enough weight to boost those sales numbers up as high as Capcom would like. 

If Capcom were to release ONE killer “OMG WE NAILED IT DUDEBROS!”  title with Resident Evil slapped on the cover methinks a lot would change.  I’m not going to kick a dead horse here, but Resident Evil as of late has tried to be something it’s not.  It’s not an action, Gears of War-esque third person shooter.  At it’s core, Resident Evil is survival horror, but that core is being covered up by crazy, unnecessary game mechanics in an attempt to appeal to a larger audience and…and…and I won’t kick a dead horse. 

Bottom line: Advertising to a new audience is swell.  But there’s a bigger issue here that should be addressed, and it’s the games.  THE GAMES!  The things that make us want to buy more of your products!  GIVE ME GREEN HERBS!  GIVE ME RED HERBS!  GIVE ME DOCUMENTS TO READ!  GIVE ME INTENSE, AGONIZING CORRIDORS WITH DEAFENING SILENCE!  GIVE ME VIRUSES!  GIVE ME LABORATORIES! 

Man, these were the good ol’ days. 

It sounds like Capcom is listening, though, so let’s keep our toes, fingers and other body parts crossed for the next installment. 

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I can’t remember the exact age, but I was young when I first got into Resident Evil.  I’m 22 now (unless I’m 40 and can’t remember aging so quickly).  The fashion magazine thing is just laughable. 

Brittney Brombacher

What game did you start with? 

Ryan

I think I started with 2!  I remember starting out on the street and being able to choose between characters. That would have put me at about 7 I believe. 

Anthony House

Code Veronica? 

Have you seen the Rez Evil restaurant in Japan?  Full of awesome. 

Brittney Brombacher

YOUNGIN’.  Code Veronica is probably my favorite RE! 

Ryan

It took me a while, but I figured out that it was, indeed, the first game (for me)!  I had to chat with my brother to get the memory of it all back. 

Ryan

Now I can’t remember if it was the 1st or 2nd!  Haha. 

Deidre Loiselle-Root

My first RE game was 5.  Bwahahaha.  But it was amazing and it made me want to experience all of the older stuff.  Like you mentioned the key to bringing in new fans is to bring back the original Resident Evil-esqe games and make them as terrific as 5 was.  As much as I liked 6 I also agree Capcom was trying to make the game into something it wasn’t.  They tried though, kudos to them, but it didn’t work time to start back at square one.