Resident Evil: Requiem Launch Countdown: Why PC Players Are Facing an 'Internet Lockdown'

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Resident Evil: Requiem Launch Countdown: Why PC Players Are Facing an 'Internet Lockdown'

February 25, 2026 — The survival horror event of the decade is almost here. Resident Evil: Requiem (RE9) officially launches on February 27. However, for PC players and anyone hoping for a pure first playthrough, today marks the start of a dangerous 48-hour "spoiler minefield." Between early retail copies and a staggered release schedule, here is everything you need to know to survive the launch.

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1. The Release Disparity: PC vs. Console

Capcom has confirmed a staggered launch that has left the Steam community frustrated. While console players (PS5, Xbox, Switch 2) get the game at midnight local time, the PC version follows a global unlock pattern.

  • New York (EST): 12:00 AM, Feb 27 (Console & PC)
  • Los Angeles (PST): 9:00 PM, Feb 26 (Console & PC)
  • London (GMT): 12:00 AM (Console) vs. 5:00 AM (PC)
  • Tokyo (JST): 12:00 AM (Console) vs. 2:00 PM (PC)

The Strategy: If you are on PC in Europe or Asia, you will be dodging spoilers for 5–14 hours while console players are already finishing the first act.

2. Spoiler Alert: Capcom Issues 'Internet Lockdown'

Capcom’s legal team is currently working overtime. Physical copies of the game have leaked in several regions, and full playthroughs are reportedly circulating on Discord and private subreddits. Capcom officially stated: "We kindly ask that you refrain from posting gameplay videos... to preserve the mystery and tension for all players."

How to protect yourself:

  • Mute keywords: "Requiem Ending," "Grace Ashcroft," "Leon Fate," and "RE9" on X/Twitter and YouTube.
  • Avoid "New & Trending" sections on Steam, as thumbnail spoilers are frequent.

3. PC Technical Controversy: The DRM Factor

Technical enthusiasts are keeping a close eye on the DRM (Digital Rights Management). While Requiem launches with Denuvo, there is significant backlash regarding Capcom's recent "DRM Swaps" in older titles like RE4 Remake, which saw a 40% CPU performance drop after switching to the Enigma Protector.

Launch Specs:

  • Install Size: 72.88 GB (Pre-load is LIVE as of Feb 25).
  • Minimum RAM: 16GB (8GB systems will struggle with asset streaming in the new open-zone Raccoon City ruins).

4. The Story: Leon and Grace’s Final Stand?

Set in the post-nuclear ruins of Raccoon City, Requiem follows Leon S. Kennedy and new protagonist Grace Ashcroft (daughter of RE Outbreak's Alyssa Ashcroft). The dual-protagonist system allows players to switch perspectives, blending Leon's high-octane action with Grace's investigative, slow-burn horror.

Ready for Pre-load?

If you pre-ordered the digital version, you can begin the 73GB download **right now** on all platforms. Ensure your drivers are updated—NVIDIA and AMD are expected to drop "Game Ready" drivers within the next 24 hours specifically for this title.