Resident Evil (Biohazard)

Resident Evil, known in Japan as Biohazard, is a seminal media franchise created by Shinji Mikami and Tokuro Fujiwara. Since its debut in 1996, it has become one of the most successful and influential series in the survival horror genre, expanding from video games into films, novels, and merchandise.

The series was developed and published by Capcom, a major Japanese video game developer. While the creative direction and core development predominantly take place at Capcom's headquarters in Osaka, Japan, the franchise's global reach involves localization and distribution subsidiaries across North America, Europe, and Asia.

Capcom remains the ultimate owner and developer of the intellectual property. The brand's longevity is attributed to its ability to reinvent itself, transitioning from fixed-camera exploration to action-oriented gameplay and later returning to its horror roots with first-person perspectives and high-fidelity remakes using the proprietary RE Engine.