Resident Evil 6 stars Chris Redfield and Leon Kennedy, an unnamed source reveals (Updated with confirmation and a trailer!)

Okay everyone, time to break out those salt-shakers. It’s rumor-doubting time!

The word from an unnamed source at Capcom speaking to VentureBeat is that development on Resident Evil 6 is “well underway” and that the story will feature an adventure led by returning players Chris Redfield and Leon Kennedy. It seems that Ada Wong will also be returning, though how she fits into the game is unclear. Also note: the VentureBeat source is never quoted directly, so the above quote and those below are all in reference to VB’s paraphrasing of the news.

The source also confirmed a few other nuggets about RE6. Development duties for the upcoming game have not been handed over to a Western developer, as had previously been speculated. The same internal Japanese team behind previous Resident Evil games is once again taking point. It also sounds like the gameplay will see some tweaks, largely informed by feedback received from players following the release of Resident Evil 5. Here’s what VentureBeat had to say:

“The development team is aiming for a cross between the action/horror blend of Resident Evil 4, largely considered to be the best in the series and one of the greatest games ever made, and the far more action-oriented Resident Evil 5, which was met with a mixed-but-mostly-positive reaction.”

Capcom replied to VB’s request for comment with a straightforward response: “Capcom has made no announcements.” More and more evidence is pointing to the possibility that the publisher WILL be making an announcement soon, but until that happens, what do you make of this latest potential news on the next major Resident Evil game?

Update: Not long after this article was published, Capcom made it official and sent out a press release confirming the arrival of Resident Evil 6 on November 20, 2012.  The press release also confirmed a bit of the plot, and soon after a trailer was released.  According to the press release, the plot will feature Leon Kennedy and Chris Redfield:

It has been ten years since the Raccoon City incident and the President of the United States has decided to reveal the truth behind what took place in the belief that it will curb the current resurgence in bioterrorist activity. Due to be by the President’s side is his personal friend and Raccoon City survivor, Leon S. Kennedy, but when the venue suffers a bioterrorist attack, Leon is forced to face a President transformed beyond recognition and make his hardest ever decision. At the same time, Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance member Chris Redfield arrives in China, itself under threat of a bioterrorist attack.  With no country safe from these attacks and the ensuing outbreaks, the entire world’s population is united by a common fear that there is no hope left.

In a first for the franchise, Resident Evil 6 sees series favorites Leon and Chris come together to face this unprecedented threat. They will be joined by new characters, each with their own unique perspective and involvement, in this relentless dramatic horror experience enacted on a global scale.