- Primary Subject: Resident Evil Requiem [Mainline Entry #9]
- Key Update: The success of Resident Evil Requiem underscores a growing industry divide where players demand new IPs but consistently favor the financial and mechanical safety of established franchises.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: March 19, 2026
- Quick Answer: Gamers prefer established franchises like Resident Evil because they offer familiar comfort and guaranteed quality, making expensive $70 new IPs a significant financial risk.
Resident Evil Requiem is one of the best games to come out this year, but it’s also the ninth game in the Resident Evil franchise. I say that loosely because while it is the ninth installment in the mainline series, there's dozens of Resident Evil games out there.
While the franchise’s longevity is deserved, you have to wonder if there’s ever going to be any more space for new franchises to grow in this industry. People have been begging for new IPs in gaming in the wake of multiple remakes and remasters, but you have to wonder which of them would play these new IPs.
For developers and producers, franchises are among the industry's most powerful marketing tools. Franchises as storied as Resident Evil and Call of Duty can act as a seal of approval for most gaming products, promising the same polished experience that players had in previous installments. Getting a new IP off the ground requires tons more marketing costs because you have to reintroduce and sell the concept and quality of your game from the ground up. Everyone’s sure to buy a game with PlayStation All-Stars regular Kratos on the cover, but not everyone’s going to want to invest in a game like Exoprimal with newcomers on the cover.
Then there are times where developers get lazy with their franchises and treat it like it’s just a sticker you slap on to get more numbers. Taking a look at DmC Devil May Cry, the game’s so-called reboot that was released in 2013, it was a completely different game from its predecessors. So different that many, including me, speculate that the game was meant to be something completely different, and the Devil May Cry branding was just slapped on there to raise sales. It reminds me of a time when the folks at Capcom failed at making a Resident Evil game, but instead of just slapping the Resident Evil label on it and calling it a day, they decided to make something completely new.
And thus, Devil May Cry was born. Those were the days.
Before I go blaming everything on the developers, I want to also point a finger at the players. The players who claim they want new video games, but don’t even bat an eye when it comes to special events like Steam’s Next Fest, where new IPs are being introduced. Thankfully, these players aren’t a majority since new IPs do see moderate success, but my point still stands. Although I may be pointing fingers, I also understand the appeal of playing IPs that have already been established. We eat these franchises up for the same reason we love burgers, fries, and any sweet or savory food that you like: because it brings us comfort.
There’s comfort to familiarity, and not many people are open to playing something new when it’s presented to them. The fighting game genre has seen a few new IPs like Skullgirls or the upcoming Invincible Vs. fighting game, but a majority of fighting players will either avoid it completely or go back to their usual main fighting games. That’s because not everyone can be bothered to relearn new mechanics, meet new characters, or understand a whole different world. That’s why most games follow the “spiritual successor” line of marketing, where they make their game in the image of old classics. Familiarity brings comfort, and comfort brings in more sales.
New IPs are a gamble for both the player and the developer, and that’s just stating the obvious. The reason why most developers hesitate when releasing new IPs is because of the cost associated with it. Triple-A developers are expected to release triple-A games, and that’s an expectation that they, nor their stockholders, have a hard time managing. Which is why mid-range developers are often the ones who introduce IPs that reach the mainstream. A few select favorites like Reanimal and Romeo Is a Dead Man come to mind when it comes to new and exciting IPs, and thankfully, that list is still growing.
But at the same time, players are also seeing video games as a gamble these days. Video game prices just aren’t what they’re supposed to be, skyrocketing to around $70-$80 per game, which is a big ask when you’re selling a video game franchise that most players just aren’t aware of. Not only are video games expensive from a monetary standpoint, but they’re also seen as time investments. Sure, there may be some gamers out there that can shrug off the $70 price tag of a new IP, but most of the players would also rather spend their limited time and money playing through something they know they’re gonna love.
So while IPs like Resident Evil or Call of Duty may continue to be beaten like a dead horse to much success, let’s just be thankful they’re not complete rehashes. I’m talking about you, 2K. Step up.
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