GameStop accidentally spoiled a major Resident Evil 9: Requiem surprise on December 6, 2025, when their product page for the Deluxe Edition listed DLC content specifically for Rosemary Winters. The listing mentioned “3 exclusive outfits for Rosemary Winters” alongside a visor skin for the character, strongly suggesting Rose will be playable in some capacity. GameStop quickly scrubbed the listing after fans archived the page and spread it across social media, but the cat was already out of the bag.
Who Is Rose Winters
Rosemary Winters is the daughter of Ethan Winters, the protagonist of Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village. Born with mysterious powers inherited from her father’s mold infection, Rose grew up as a teenager dealing with the trauma of her father’s death and her own supernatural abilities. She first appeared as a playable character in the Shadows of Rose DLC for Resident Evil Village, which launched in October 2023 as part of the Gold Edition.
In Shadows of Rose, players control a 16-year-old Rose who enters a nightmarish consciousness realm to find a Purifying Crystal that might remove her cursed powers. The DLC introduced Rose’s psychic abilities, which let her freeze and destroy enemies using her mold-based powers. Her story was meant to conclude the Winters family saga that began with Resident Evil 7, making her appearance in Resident Evil 9 somewhat unexpected given director Koshi Nakanishi’s emphasis on Grace Ashcroft as the new lead.
What This Means for RE9
The GameStop listing specifically mentioned these Rose-related items were part of an expansion pass separate from the standard Deluxe Edition bonuses. This suggests Rose’s content might be DLC or a separate scenario mode rather than part of the main campaign. Reddit users who archived the original listing noted the description emphasized the main game focuses on Grace Ashcroft investigating the Wrenwood Hotel near the ruins of Raccoon City, while Rose’s involvement appears to be additional content.
This wouldn’t be the first time Capcom added playable character scenarios as post-launch content. Resident Evil 7 got the Not A Hero and End of Zoe DLC episodes. Resident Evil Village included the Shadows of Rose expansion. Resident Evil 2 Remake offered The Ghost Survivors mode with alternate characters. Following this pattern, Rose could headline her own standalone story that connects to but doesn’t interfere with Grace’s main narrative.
The Leon Kennedy Factor
Before this leak, most fan speculation centered on Leon S. Kennedy as the rumored second playable character. Multiple leaks throughout 2025 suggested Leon would return for Resident Evil 9, which made sense given the game’s connection to Raccoon City. Leon was one of the two protagonists in Resident Evil 2, which took place during the 1998 Raccoon City incident. His absence from the franchise’s modern storylines made him a prime candidate for a comeback.
| Character | Role | Connection to Story |
|---|---|---|
| Grace Ashcroft | Main Protagonist | FBI analyst investigating Wrenwood Hotel |
| Rosemary Winters | Playable in DLC/Scenario | Winters family saga continuation |
| Alyssa Ashcroft | Grace’s Mother (deceased) | Raccoon City Outbreak survivor from 1998 |
| Leon Kennedy | Rumored but unconfirmed | Raccoon City survivor, fan favorite |
Director Koshi Nakanishi sent a private message to Resident Evil ambassadors in June 2025 emphasizing that Grace Ashcroft is the “brand new lead character” and will “take centre stage” in the story. He specifically mentioned the game would have “fresh twists and surprises,” which now appears to reference Rose rather than Leon. However, some fans still believe Leon could appear in a smaller role or cameo given the Raccoon City setting.
What We Know About RE9
Resident Evil 9: Requiem (stylized as Re9uiem) launches on February 27, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2. The game stars Grace Ashcroft, an FBI technical analyst and daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft, a survivor from the Raccoon City Outbreak. Grace is described as an introverted bookworm who lacks combat proficiency compared to previous protagonists like Leon or Jill Valentine, suggesting a more vulnerable and investigative gameplay approach.
The story takes place approximately 30 years after Raccoon City’s destruction in 1998. Grace is investigating mysterious deaths at the Wrenwood Hotel, which is somehow connected to her mother Alyssa’s death eight years earlier. The game returns to third-person survival horror with an emphasis on puzzles, exploration, and resource management. Capcom revealed the game at Summer Game Fest 2025, and preorders for standard and deluxe editions went live in October 2025.
The Deluxe Edition Contents
Before GameStop removed the Rose-related details, the archived listing showed the Deluxe Edition included an expansion pass with Rose’s content separate from the base Deluxe Kit. The standard Deluxe Kit contains five character costumes, several weapon skins, two visual filters, two charms, a Raccoon City Classic audio option, and bonus Letters from 1998 files. The expansion pass apparently adds the three Rose outfits and visor skin on top of these items.
The current GameStop listing, after being scrubbed, only mentions the base Deluxe Edition content without any reference to Rosemary Winters or expansion pass content. This rapid change confirms the original listing was either posted prematurely or included information Capcom hadn’t authorized for public release yet. Retailers receiving product information ahead of official announcements and accidentally posting it early is a common source of gaming leaks.
FAQs
Is Rose Winters definitely playable in Resident Evil 9?
While not officially confirmed by Capcom, the GameStop product listing strongly suggests Rose will be playable in some capacity, likely as DLC or a separate scenario mode rather than in the main campaign. GameStop’s listing specifically mentioned exclusive outfits for Rosemary Winters and a visor skin, which only makes sense if she’s a playable character.
When does Resident Evil 9 Requiem release?
Resident Evil 9: Requiem launches on February 27, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC via Steam, and Nintendo Switch 2. Capcom announced the release date during the game’s reveal at Summer Game Fest 2025 in June.
Who is Grace Ashcroft?
Grace Ashcroft is an FBI technical analyst and the main protagonist of Resident Evil 9. She’s the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft, an investigative reporter who survived the 1998 Raccoon City Outbreak. Grace is described as an introverted bookworm who lacks combat skills, making her a more vulnerable protagonist compared to series veterans like Leon Kennedy or Jill Valentine.
Will Leon Kennedy be in Resident Evil 9?
Leon Kennedy has not been officially confirmed for Resident Evil 9 despite persistent rumors throughout 2025. Director Koshi Nakanishi emphasized Grace Ashcroft as the main character in messages to Resident Evil ambassadors. However, given the game’s connection to Raccoon City where Leon’s story began, some fans still expect him to appear in a supporting role or cameo.
What is the Shadows of Rose DLC?
Shadows of Rose is a DLC expansion for Resident Evil Village that launched in October 2023 as part of the Gold Edition. It features a teenage Rosemary Winters 16 years after the main game, exploring a nightmarish consciousness realm to find a crystal that might remove her cursed powers. The DLC introduced Rose’s psychic abilities and was positioned as the conclusion to the Winters family saga.
Is Resident Evil 9 connected to previous games?
Yes, Resident Evil 9 has strong connections to the original games. The story takes place near the ruins of Raccoon City approximately 30 years after its 1998 destruction. Grace Ashcroft’s mother Alyssa survived the Raccoon City Outbreak. The game appears to bridge the classic era with modern storylines, similar to how Resident Evil Village connected to Resident Evil 7.
What platforms will RE9 be available on?
Resident Evil 9: Requiem will release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC (Steam), and Nintendo Switch 2. There are no announced plans for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, or the original Nintendo Switch, making this a current-generation exclusive title.
Has Capcom commented on the GameStop leak?
Capcom has not issued any official statement about the GameStop leak as of December 7, 2025. The company typically doesn’t comment on leaks or rumors, preferring to announce information through official channels. GameStop quickly removed the Rose-related content from their listing after it spread across social media, suggesting the information was published prematurely.
What Happens Next
Capcom will likely address Rose’s involvement officially within the next few months, either at The Game Awards 2025 on December 11 or through a dedicated Resident Evil showcase in early 2026. The company has already confirmed they’ll show new Resident Evil 9 footage at The Game Awards, making it the perfect venue to announce expansion pass content and Rose’s playable scenario.
The timing of this leak also raises questions about Capcom’s post-launch content strategy. If Rose is indeed DLC rather than part of the base game, will it launch alongside the main game on February 27, 2026, or arrive months later as a separate release? The Shadows of Rose DLC didn’t launch until over two years after Resident Evil Village’s initial release. However, announcing expansion pass content before launch suggests Capcom might have a more aggressive DLC rollout planned this time around.