Resident Evil Requiem Writer Teases DLC Focused on Series Villain Oswell Spencer
In short
Haris Orkin, a writer on Resident Evil Requiem, said in an interview that he is working on the game's DLC and that it will deepen players' understanding of series antagonist Oswell E. Spencer. He added that he “probably shouldn't say that,” and Capcom has not announced a release date or full details for the expansion. Capcom had already confirmed story DLC was coming after Requiem's February release, and the game had sold over 7 million copies by April.
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Haris Orkin, a writer on Resident Evil Requiem, said he is working on the game's downloadable content and that it will expand how players understand Oswell E. Spencer, one of the series' central antagonists. “I'm working on the DLC for Resident Evil Requiem right now,” Orkin said in an interview. “We're working hand-in-hand.” He said the base game already has an arc for Spencer, “and then in the DLC you will understand it even further,” before adding, “I probably shouldn't say that, but yeah.” [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The documents differ on where the interview took place. IGN and Polygon say Orkin spoke at Meadowlark Comic Con, while GameSpot and Polygon attribute the remarks to the Distance Nerding podcast. The documents do not reconcile the two accounts. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Orkin also described his approach to writing villains, saying he sees every villain as the hero of their own story, and he discussed Grace, an FBI analyst in the game. “I decided to put her on the spectrum,” he said. “She's an analyst. She's really an expert at figuring out clues, but she's not great at dealing with people.” [ 1 , 2 ]
Spencer's role in Requiem differs from earlier games, in which he was portrayed as an unequivocally villainous founder of the Umbrella Corporation. GameSpot reports that in Requiem, Spencer adopted a baby girl named Grace in 2001 and developed the antiviral Elpis to eliminate Progenitor-based viral weapons as part of an effort to atone. Polygon notes an inconsistency with Resident Evil 5's Lost in Nightmares DLC, where the last sighting of Spencer alive shows him unrepentant in events that occur after Requiem's flashbacks. [ 2 , 3 ]
Capcom had already confirmed that Requiem would eventually receive story DLC, without sharing details. IGN reports that director Koshi Nakanishi confirmed plans for a major story expansion in March, and that producer Masato Kumazawa later teased a potential Resident Evil title. Polygon says the Spencer tease would support rumors that players return to the Spencer Mansion, and that it may say something about an eventual Resident Evil 5 remake, though GameSpot states it is unknown whether Capcom plans one. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Orkin announced his two-and-a-half-year collaboration with Capcom in February, the same month Requiem released, according to IGN. The game received an 89 Metascore, IGN reported. By April it had sold over 7 million copies, with 5 million sold in the first five days of release. [ 1 ]
Why it matters
The DLC would extend the story of one of the Resident Evil series' central villains, whose portrayal in Requiem differs from earlier games, and outlets connect it to speculation about further remakes in the franchise. For now the details come from a writer's interview rather than an official announcement, so the timing and content remain unconfirmed.
Key facts
- Requiem writer Haris Orkin said he is working on DLC for the game and that “We're working hand-in-hand.” [ 1 ]
- Orkin said the DLC will let players understand Spencer's arc “even further,” then added he “probably shouldn't say that.” [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Capcom has confirmed a story expansion for Resident Evil Requiem but has not given a release date or details. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Director Koshi Nakanishi confirmed plans for a major story expansion in March, according to IGN. [ 1 ]
- Resident Evil Requiem released in February and received an 89 Metascore; by April it had sold over 7 million copies, 5 million of them in the first five days. [ 1 ]
- In Requiem, Spencer is portrayed as regretful, in contrast with his depiction in earlier games. [ 2 , 3 ]
- GameSpot reports that in Requiem Spencer adopted a baby girl named Grace in 2001 and developed the antiviral Elpis to eliminate Progenitor-based viral weapons. [ 2 ]
- Polygon says the DLC tease would support rumors that players return to the Spencer Mansion, and notes an inconsistency with Spencer's portrayal in Resident Evil 5's Lost in Nightmares DLC. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Orkin said he is working on Resident Evil Requiem's DLC and that it will expand understanding of Oswell E. Spencer's arc. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Orkin said he “probably shouldn't say that.” [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Capcom has confirmed that story DLC for Resident Evil Requiem is planned, without announcing a date or content. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The release date and full content of the Resident Evil Requiem DLC. GameSpot states it has not been revealed when the DLC will be out or what it is about.
- Whether the DLC will feature a return to the Spencer Mansion. Polygon describes this as a rumor that the writer's comments would support, not a confirmed detail.
- Whether Capcom plans a Resident Evil 5 remake. GameSpot says it is unknown, and Polygon frames it only as a possibility.
- Whether Orkin's comments reflect final, approved plans. Orkin himself said he probably should not have spoken about the DLC; the documents do not quote Capcom responding.
- Where the interview took place. IGN and Polygon place it at Meadowlark Comic Con, while GameSpot and Polygon attribute it to the Distance Nerding podcast; the documents do not reconcile the two.