Resident Evil 9: Requiem launches February 27, 2026, and the internet can’t stop leaking footage, screenshots, and rumors about what Capcom has planned. The problem is that half of these leaks are fake, manufactured by fans desperate for Leon Kennedy confirmation or trying to farm engagement on social media. Even Capcom’s producer has stepped in to call out fabricated images, warning fans to be careful about what they believe. With only months until launch, here’s what we actually know versus what’s complete fiction.
Capcom Calls Out Fake Leon Leaks
Producer Masato Takano recently addressed the flood of fake leaks circulating online, specifically targeting images claiming to show Leon S. Kennedy in Requiem. “There has been a photo lately of Leon with an eyepatch going around, but that is completely fake,” Takano stated in an interview. The infamous eyepatch Leon screenshot originated from 4chan, spread to Reddit, and was treated as legitimate by numerous content creators before being debunked.
The fake leak epidemic has gotten so bad that Capcom felt compelled to issue official statements. According to community member Mooney Database, who’s been tracking Resident Evil leaks for years, “It’s very easy to edit an internet page to make it look like a screenshot and claim the company fixed it. There’s a lot of malice in what the crowd is doing, inventing Leon leaks all the time. This is playing with fans’ expectations.”
Despite the fake images, credible insiders like Dusk Golem maintain that Leon does appear in Requiem, but Capcom hasn’t officially confirmed his involvement. The studio seems content letting fans speculate while systematically shooting down fabricated evidence. This creates a frustrating situation where legitimate information gets drowned out by manufactured hype and fake screenshots designed to go viral on social media.
What Footage Has Actually Leaked
The first legitimate screenshots for Resident Evil Requiem appeared online in June 2025, showing protagonist Grace Ashcroft, enemies, and various environments. These images came from a 30-minute press demo that Capcom showed behind closed doors at an industry event. The leak revealed that the game runs on RE Engine and supports both first-person and third-person perspectives, a detail that Steam accidentally confirmed when it briefly tagged the game with “FPS” before removing it.
Gamescom 2025 in August provided the next major footage drop. Capcom premiered an extended trailer during Opening Night Live showcasing Grace Ashcroft’s dark past, including flashback sequences involving her mother Alyssa’s investigation and murder. Journalists who played the hands-on demo reported that a large stalking enemy pursues Grace throughout the hotel, appearing on different vertical levels and dropping from ceilings to create unpredictable terror.
According to Dusk Golem, most footage shown publicly only covers the first 30-45 minutes of gameplay. To put that in perspective, it’s equivalent to Resident Evil Village only showing Ethan’s house, the dark forest path, and a few Village clips. Capcom is deliberately holding back the majority of Requiem’s content, which explains why trailers keep recycling similar scenes and environments. Fans expecting major new reveals before launch might be disappointed unless The Game Awards delivers something substantial.
The Dynamic Injury System
One of the most exciting leaked features is Requiem’s dynamic injury system, which carries damage into cutscenes in real-time. For example, if Grace gets bitten on the shoulder during gameplay, blood will slowly spread through her shirt during subsequent cinematics. This isn’t scripted – injuries are unique to each player’s experience based on when and how they take damage.
Leaker Resident_Bio shared comparison images showing the same cutscene with different injury states. In one version, Grace appears relatively clean because she hadn’t been bitten recently. In another, her shoulder is bloodied because the player got bit right before the scene triggered. This creates continuity between gameplay and story moments while adding horrifying realism to Grace’s deteriorating condition as the nightmare progresses.
Capcom actually tested this technology in the Resident Evil 2 Remake, where Leon and Claire sustained injuries reflected in cutscenes, though not as dynamically as what Requiem offers. The new system represents a significant evolution, making RE9 potentially the most realistic entry in the franchise. Given that gore and visceral horror are core to Resident Evil’s identity, seeing Grace’s injuries accumulate and persist throughout her ordeal adds a layer of consequence missing from previous games.
First Person vs Third Person
Leaked information suggests Requiem will switch between first-person and third-person perspectives depending on context. First-person seems designed for claustrophobic horror moments inside buildings where fear and tension are the focus. Third-person handles action sequences and exploration, particularly outdoor environments where players need better spatial awareness.
The press demo showcased both perspectives, with Grace walking around opening doors and turning on lights in first-person, then encountering combat situations that may shift to third-person. This approach mirrors Resident Evil Village’s Gold Edition, which allowed players to select their preferred camera angle. However, Requiem might enforce perspective changes at specific moments for maximum impact rather than giving full player control throughout.
Some fans worry this perspective shifting will feel jarring or disorienting, especially if Capcom forces changes during intense sequences. Others argue that using the right camera angle for each situation creates better overall pacing – first-person for intimate horror, third-person for explosive action. Given Capcom’s track record with RE7, RE8, and the recent remakes, they’ve earned trust that this design choice serves the experience rather than gimmicking for novelty’s sake.
Leon’s Actual Role
While Capcom hasn’t officially confirmed Leon S. Kennedy appears in Requiem, leaks from credible sources strongly suggest he’s playable. Dusk Golem claims Leon will be clean-shaven with greying hair, wearing a black jacket, and looking “more rugged” than previous appearances. His sections reportedly take place in 2020 when he’s 42-43 years old, featuring action-oriented gameplay in larger open areas with vehicle traversal similar to RE4’s boat segments.
The most popular theory is that Leon is tasked with locating Grace after she goes missing during her investigation. This positions him as a supporting character rather than co-protagonist, which makes sense given Capcom’s insistence that Requiem is Grace’s story. Leon’s veteran experience would contrast perfectly with Grace’s terrified rookie persona, showing the difference between someone with decades of bio-terror combat versus an FBI analyst thrown into a nightmare.
Producer Takano’s comments about Leon being revealed “at the right time” suggest Capcom plans an official announcement soon, possibly at The Game Awards on December 11. A trailer showcasing Leon’s return and his gameplay would generate massive hype heading into Requiem’s February launch, especially after months of speculation and fake leaks. Until then, fans should treat any Leon screenshots or footage with extreme skepticism unless it comes from official Capcom channels.
What We Know About the Story
Grace Ashcroft is an FBI technical analyst investigating mysterious deaths at the Wrenwood Hotel in the ruins of Raccoon City, approximately 30 years after the nuclear destruction. Her mother Alyssa Ashcroft – a journalist from Resident Evil Outbreak who testified against Umbrella – was murdered at this same location eight years before the game’s events. Grace is searching for answers about her mother’s death while uncovering a conspiracy involving sentient infected creatures hunting her.
Leaks suggest these stalker enemies are actually Outbreak survivors who escaped Raccoon City but were later infected and turned into bioweapons. Characters like George Hamilton, Yoko Suzuki, and others who survived the original outbreak may now hunt Grace through the hotel. This would create tragic emotional stakes, turning heroes from a previous game into monsters that Grace must either evade or potentially kill.
The game’s subtitle “Requiem” refers to a funeral mass or composition honoring the dead, strongly implying this game serves as a memorial to characters and events from Resident Evil’s history. Capcom has confirmed that Requiem will feature cameos from previous protagonists, though they haven’t specified who beyond teasing surprises for longtime fans. Expect references to Outbreak, the original Raccoon City incident, and connections to Umbrella’s legacy.
Graphics and Technical Details
Resident Evil Requiem runs on the latest version of RE Engine with significant upgrades to character models, lighting, and environmental detail. Game director Daichi Takano emphasized the technical achievement of Grace’s hair rendering using Strand-based technology. “There’s a moment where light shines through her hair, and when you see the light passing through the strands, I believe you can see that it was a visual success,” he explained in an interview.
The game targets high performance on PC, with Capcom expressing strong confidence in the platform’s capabilities. This suggests they’re taking PC optimization seriously after some previous RE Engine games launched with performance issues. Console versions will obviously prioritize visual fidelity and smooth framerates on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S hardware.
Environmental destruction and interactive elements seem more advanced than previous entries. The Gamescom demo showcased Grace using a lighter while being chased, with dynamic lighting casting realistic shadows through her hair and illuminating environments in real-time. Small details like this add immersion and demonstrate Capcom’s commitment to pushing RE Engine’s technical capabilities with each new release.
What to Expect at Launch
Resident Evil Requiem launches February 27, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Pre-orders are available now with various editions offering bonuses like cosmetic outfits and weapon packs. Capcom typically releases demos for mainline Resident Evil games a few weeks before launch, so expect a public demo in late January or early February 2026.
The Game Awards on December 11, 2025, represents the last major opportunity for Capcom to drop a significant trailer or officially reveal Leon’s involvement. After that, the marketing cycle will likely shift toward demos, final trailers, and launch preparation. Whether Capcom uses TGA to make a splash or continues holding information back until closer to release remains to be seen.
FAQs
Is the leaked Leon footage real?
Most Leon screenshots circulating online are fake, including the infamous eyepatch image. Producer Masato Takano explicitly called that image “completely fake.” However, credible insiders maintain Leon does appear in the game, just not officially confirmed yet.
Does Resident Evil 9 have first-person and third-person modes?
Yes. Leaked press demo footage showed both perspectives. The game reportedly switches between first-person for horror-focused moments and third-person for action and exploration, similar to how RE Village Gold Edition offered perspective options.
What is the dynamic injury system?
Injuries Grace sustains during gameplay carry over into cutscenes in real-time. If she gets bitten, blood spreads through her clothing during cinematics. These injuries are unique to each player based on when and how they take damage, not scripted events.
When does Resident Evil Requiem release?
February 27, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. A public demo will likely release in late January or early February 2026 based on Capcom’s typical release patterns.
Who is Grace Ashcroft?
Grace Ashcroft is the main protagonist – an FBI technical analyst investigating deaths at the Wrenwood Hotel in Raccoon City. She’s the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft from Resident Evil Outbreak, whose murder eight years ago drives Grace’s investigation.
How much of the game has been shown?
According to Dusk Golem, all publicly shown footage only covers the first 30-45 minutes of gameplay. Capcom is deliberately holding back most of Requiem’s content until closer to launch.
Will Leon S. Kennedy be playable?
Not officially confirmed, but credible leaks suggest yes. Leon reportedly appears as a secondary playable character tasked with finding Grace after she goes missing, with more action-oriented gameplay compared to Grace’s survival horror sections.
Are Outbreak survivors in the game?
Leaks suggest survivors from Resident Evil Outbreak became infected and now hunt Grace as sentient bioweapons. Characters like George Hamilton and Yoko Suzuki may appear as enemies, creating tragic emotional stakes for longtime fans.
How can I tell if a leak is real?
Be skeptical of anything not from official Capcom channels or extremely credible insiders like Dusk Golem. If something looks too good to be true (like Leon with an eyepatch), it probably is. Wait for Capcom confirmation before believing viral screenshots.
Conclusion
Resident Evil 9: Requiem has become a minefield of real leaks mixed with fabricated nonsense designed to exploit fan desperation for information. While legitimate details have emerged about dynamic injuries, dual perspectives, and Grace’s terrifying journey through Raccoon City’s ruins, the flood of fake Leon screenshots and manufactured hype makes it nearly impossible to separate fact from fiction without official confirmation. Capcom’s decision to hold back most of the game’s content until closer to launch makes sense from a marketing perspective, but it creates a vacuum that gets filled with misinformation. With The Game Awards approaching and launch only months away, hopefully we’ll soon get official answers about Leon, the Outbreak connections, and what horrors actually await in the Wrenwood Hotel. Until then, trust nothing that doesn’t come from Capcom directly – the internet has proven it can’t be trusted when it comes to this game.