A leak from reputable insider AestheticGamer (Dusk Golem) has shed light on a scrapped version of Resident Evil 9, revealing that Capcom originally planned to create an open-world multiplayer experience starring fan-favorite characters Leon S. Kennedy and Jill Valentine. The ambitious project, set on a fictional island inspired by Singapore, has since been canceled as the game’s direction shifted significantly during development.
The Original Vision for Resident Evil 9
According to Dusk Golem — known for his accurate Resident Evil leaks — the early version of Resident Evil 9 was intended to be “the opposite” of Resident Evil 7. At the time, RE7 had underperformed at launch, prompting Capcom to explore a more co-op-driven, open-world concept. This led to the idea of having two iconic characters, Leon and Jill, team up in a shared multiplayer horror setting.
The game was said to allow multiple players to explore the island simultaneously, blending traditional survival horror with modern open-world gameplay mechanics, including real-time events and team-based objectives.
Why the Concept Was Abandoned
However, as Resident Evil 7 gained momentum and eventually became one of the best-selling titles in the franchise, Capcom’s confidence in its single-player formula returned. This resurgence prompted the company to pivot Resident Evil 9 back to a more focused, narrative-driven experience, abandoning the multiplayer project altogether.
The multiplayer concept, along with the Leon-Jill dynamic, was scrapped — though according to Dusk Golem, Leon is still set to be the main protagonist in the current iteration of Resident Evil 9.
No Official Announcement — Yet
Capcom has yet to officially announce Resident Evil 9, but the franchise’s consistent success makes its reveal inevitable. In the meantime, speculation continues to swirl, with many fans eager to see what direction Capcom ultimately takes.
Despite rumors, it now seems clear that the much-hyped Leon and Jill co-op concept belonged to a scrapped version of the game, and is unlikely to appear in the final release.
While the idea of a Leon and Jill multiplayer survival horror game on a tropical island sounds exciting, Capcom’s decision to stick with what works may ultimately be the right call. Still, this glimpse into what could have been shows that the developer isn’t afraid to take creative risks — even if those ideas don’t make it to the final product.
Stay tuned as we await Capcom’s official announcement for Resident Evil 9 — and possibly, a deeper look at Leon’s next terrifying journey.