In a recent Capcom celebration video, fans noticed what appears to be a subtle yet intentional hint for the eagerly awaited Resident Evil 9. The video, which thanks players for helping the Resident Evil 4 remake reach an impressive 10 million copies sold, may have included more than just a heartfelt message.

Spotted by well-known Resident Evil insider Dusk Golem, the video features wooden signs scattered throughout the village. While at first glance they seem like simple set decorations, their placement and design appear to form the Roman numeral “IX” when viewed horizontally. Fans believe this is a clear hint that Resident Evil 9 is on the way. The most prominent example shows up at the very end of the video, near a “Thank You for Playing” sign next to the RE4 logo, where the wooden framing unmistakably forms “IX”.

This potential tease aligns with rumors that have circulated for months. Dusk Golem previously claimed that Resident Evil 9 would be a major reinvention of the series, similar to the groundbreaking shifts seen with Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 7 Biohazard. According to him, the game will not simply reuse the formula of Village or the remakes but will try bold, new ideas. That is part of why it is reportedly taking longer to develop. It is rumored to be set on an island inspired by Singapore and could arrive as soon as 2025 or 2026.

While Capcom has confirmed that a new Resident Evil game is in development, they have yet to officially announce it as Resident Evil 9. As always, until Capcom makes a formal announcement, fans are advised to take these hints with caution. Still, the timing and the visual hints are hard to ignore, and the excitement is building.

The Resident Evil franchise, first launched in 1996, remains one of the most influential and best-selling horror game series in history. Along with the tease, Capcom revealed that more than 15 million people have played Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil 2 Remake. The number of players in Resident Evil Village is over 11 million, while the number of players in Resident Evil 3 Remake is over 10 million.

Resident Evil 3 (Photo: Capcom)

Aside from Resident Evil 9, rumors claim Capcom is also working on remakes of Resident Evil Zero and Resident Evil Code: Veronica X, both highly requested by fans. Meanwhile, a new Resident Evil movie, directed by Barbarian’s Zach Cregger, is set to premiere in 2026.

Whether it is the next game or the next movie, it is clear that Resident Evil has a lot of exciting developments ahead. If the rumors are true, Resident Evil 9 could introduce a new direction for the series, possibly with an open-world design and significant gameplay changes. Fans are eagerly awaiting official confirmation, and with so many hints dropping, it feels like only a matter of time before Capcom finally unveils what is next for this iconic survival horror franchise.