The Spencer Mansion Prequel Is Coming Back: Everything We Know About the Resident Evil 0 Remake
Just when you thought Capcom’s remake train might be slowing down, new leaks have emerged that all but confirm a full remake of Resident Evil 0 is in the works. The 2002 GameCube classic, which serves as a direct prequel to the original Resident Evil, is reportedly getting the full modern treatment. Details from multiple sources have painted a surprisingly clear picture of the project, from its development codename to major gameplay changes and an expanded plot.
Project “Chamber” and the Team Behind It
According to the leaks, the remake is being developed under the codename “Chamber,” a clear nod to one of the game’s protagonists, S.T.A.R.S. Bravo Team medic Rebecca Chambers. Development reportedly began in 2023 at M2, but leakers suggest that Capcom’s own internal team, Dev 1 (the masterminds behind the other successful RE remakes), has since taken over the project.
Performance and motion capture work allegedly started in 2024 at Beyond Capture Studios. This is a significant detail, as it’s the same studio Capcom has partnered with for recent hits like the Resident Evil 4 remake and Street Fighter 6, lending major credibility to the rumors.
An Expanded Story and New Faces
Like previous remakes, Capcom isn’t just giving the game a graphical facelift. The story is set to be expanded. One of the most specific leaks involves the introduction of a new character: the train conductor. In the original game, the Ecliptic Express train is already a scene of carnage when you arrive. In the remake, it sounds like we’ll see the disaster unfold. The conductor will reportedly trick Rebecca, locking her in a room with zombies to save himself. This new character is said to reappear later in the game, interacting with another mysterious figure, hinting at a deeper conspiracy.
In terms of casting, the biggest name to surface is Jon McLaren, who voiced Star-Lord in the acclaimed Guardians of the Galaxy video game. His resume briefly listed a lead role in an “Upcoming AAA Video Game” codenamed “Project Chamber.” The assumption is that he will be playing escaped convict and co-protagonist, Billy Coen.
Online Co-op and a Distant Release Date
One of the most exciting new gameplay features is the rumored inclusion of online cooperative gameplay. The original game’s core mechanic was the “Zapping System,” allowing players to switch between Rebecca and Billy on the fly. A full-blown online co-op mode would be a natural and welcome evolution of this system for the remake.
Now for the bad news: don’t expect to play it anytime soon. While the game was initially rumored to be planned for a 2024 release, the development shift and expanded scope have apparently pushed the timeline way back. Prominent Resident Evil leaker Dusk Golem suggests that Capcom is now targeting a 2028 release. This would place it after the rumored remake of Resident Evil – Code: Veronica, which is itself predicted to launch in 2027.
Conclusion
While we must take all this with a grain of salt until Capcom makes an official announcement, the pieces fit together very convincingly. The codename, the mocap studio, the casting links, and the planned story expansions all point to a real and ambitious project. A modern remake of Resident Evil 0 with online co-op is a fantastic prospect, but it looks like we’re in for a very long wait before we can hop aboard that doomed train with Rebecca and Billy again.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the Resident Evil 0 Remake officially confirmed?
No, Capcom has not officially confirmed the project. All the current information comes from industry leaks and rumors, although the evidence is strong.
2. What is the rumored release date?
The most recent leaks point to a 2028 release window, following the release of a rumored Resident Evil – Code: Veronica remake in 2027.
3. Will the Resident Evil 0 Remake have co-op?
Leaks suggest that the game will feature online cooperative gameplay, expanding on the original’s character-swapping “Zapping System.”
4. Will the story be different from the original?
Yes, the remake is expected to expand the story. One specific leak mentions the introduction of a new character, a train conductor, who plays a new role in the game’s opening sequence.
5. Who is rumored to be playing Billy Coen?
Jon McLaren, the voice actor for Star-Lord in the Guardians of the Galaxy game, is rumored to be playing Billy Coen after the project’s codename appeared on his resume.
6. What was the original Resident Evil 0?
Resident Evil 0 was a survival horror game released in 2002 for the Nintendo GameCube. It is a prequel to the first Resident Evil, telling the story of the S.T.A.R.S. Bravo Team’s ordeal before the events at the Spencer Mansion.