Capcom is planning to bring AI into the development process behind Resident Evil and its other games, according to a statement from a senior developer at the company. Programmer Satoshi Ishida made the comments during Capcom Open Conference RE: 2026, a tech conference where the firm showcases progress on its RE Engine.
Ishida described the REX Project, which aims to evolve the RE Engine “for the next generation.” Many of the improvements he detailed were not AI-related, focusing instead on data formatting and memory management. But he also said that “successfully integrating AI technology into development workflows has become an essential condition for streamlining future development.”
Key Lines From Ishida
The core of his remarks came in two lines. Ishida said the company’s goal is “a future where we create games together with AI.” He also noted that AI integration has become “an essential condition for streamlining future development.”
These comments drew attention because they suggest Capcom is moving toward AI involvement in its workflows, even as the company has publicly stated it will not use generative AI to create game content. That distinction matters.
The REX Project
The REX Project is the name Ishida gave to the effort to evolve the RE Engine. It is meant to prepare the engine for the next generation of games.
Ishida’s presentation mixed non-AI improvements with the workflow comments. Data formatting and memory management were among the non-AI areas he covered. Those changes are routine engineering work, not the kind of creative disruption that worries players who care about the handcrafted feel of Capcom’s games.
The presentation was reported first by GameBiz and translated by IGN.
Capcom’s Public Position
As of March 2026, Capcom told investors it did not plan to use generative AI to create content for its games. That statement came directly from the company to its investors.
Resident Evil Requiem was one of the games used in Nvidia DLSS 5’s reveal.
What This Means For Players
Capcom’s current games, including Resident Evil Requiem, were built without generative AI. The company’s public position has been consistent: it will not use generative AI to create game content.
But the workflow comments suggest a shift in how the company thinks about development. Ishida framed AI integration as a necessary condition for streamlining future development. That is a significant change in posture.
The hand-crafted feel of Capcom’s games is part of what makes them special. Players who value that craft will watch closely to see how AI fits into the process.
Timeline Of Announcements
| Date | Announcement |
|---|---|
| March 2026 | Capcom tells investors it does not plan to use generative AI to create game content |
| RE: 2026 | Ishida presents the REX Project and discusses AI-integrated workflows |
The timeline shows a clear sequence. First the company promises no generative AI content. Then a developer talks about AI as a development tool. The gap between those two positions is where the unease lives.
What To Watch
The next few years will show whether Capcom’s plans hold. The company has already said it will not use generative AI to create game content. Whether it can integrate AI into workflows without changing that promise remains to be seen.
Players who care about the hand-crafted feel of Capcom’s games have reason to be anxious. The company’s games are built with careful attention to detail, and that feel is part of what makes them stand out.
The path forward is not yet clear. But the direction is set, and the industry is watching.
See the video the story is built around at Polygon.
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