Table of Contents
First of all, let’s answer the most important question: Why is Resident Evil Called Biohazard? It is a question that fans, mainly the newcomers, keep asking and that’s rather understandable. You pick up a copy of the game in Japan and, bada boom, the title is Biohazard. But in the West? It’s Resident Evil. What the heck is this? It’s time to figure out how come these two different monikers, which for some unhealthy reasons seem to be mostly spelled out in a less known language, are as famous and as engaging as the games themselves.
Introduction: Why is Resident Evil Called Biohazard?
From the word go, let it just be said that the game we currently know as Resident Evil was originally planned … In Japan it has actually started life under the title Biohazard. Yep, enclosing the word ‘bio’ matter, the horrid, the bio resonance’s absolutely lethal sense of encroaching biological weapons came through. And let’s be honest – Biohazard steals the show. Quite to the theme, would you say? You’re up against some nasty corporate powers with nasty viruses, horrible monsters, and a fight for your life. I mean, could they have picked a more fitting title?
Though and it would be for this reason that the time comes that the game strikes audience outside Japan. All of a sudden, Biohazard is not going to cut it in the West. Why? Well, as it would happen, there is already a heavy metal band in America called Biohazard. Not to mention, similar titled film is in existence. Therefore, legally speaking, Capcom met a brick wall- hard. They had to think of something else.
On the Topic of the Genre Title – Why ‘Resident Evil’ in the West?
Now think of the capcom’s us brainstorming sessions. They have a masterpiece of a horror video-game in their hands, however, at this stage they must come up with a label that will capture the sensation of growing fear. Not to mention that it would help avoid being sued and be dissimilar to something else. Lovely, isn’t it? This is how the name Resident Evil came to be.
However, this begs the question; why Resident Evil? It’s very random. There’s nothing in there that screams “biological horror” is there? Here’s the thing though: Capcom’s team assumed that a majority of the game transpires in an eerie and remote mansion. What was inside? That’s what they were hoping to capture. Thus Resident Evil was born.
Does it work as successfully as it was in the introductory title of the game ltd biohazard? That we will have to agree to disagree upon. For a start, it most certainly sticks. And that’s half the battle when you are christening a game that is about to upend the survival horror genre for good.
Legal Trouble: How Did They Solve ‘Biohazard’ When That Wasn’t An Option
This is where it becomes even more fun. Like I said before, moving freely and easily, in the U.S. Capcom could not use Biohazard because other companies had similar registered trademarks. You had the heavy metal band Biohazard rocking the airwaves, and there was literally even a film with that title. How do you account for the legal problems that would have arisen had Capcom endeavored to match with such? It was not just dangerous. It was out of the question.
Thus, they had to shift their focus . Quick. And that legal pickle that they found themselves in resulted in Resident Evil. It would perhaps not be their first choice, but you have to give credit where it is due – it does kind of work. There is an extra layer of mystery about the idea of evil goodness living in a haunted mansion where people go exploring.
Creative Brainstorming: How Positions the Evolution of ‘Resident Evil’?
Now, let us dwell into a little bit of the process of creativity. Once Capcom understood that the name Biohazard could not be used in America, they quickly began brainstorming for something new. Picture it: A room full of creative minds, and all wearing their thinking cap and throwing out name ideas. Others awful. Others laughable. In the end, however, it was Resident Evil that took the prize. It was short, it was easy to understand and pronounce and it also had some of the scary element of the game to it.
But look how different it would be had they decided to go with something else. For instance, what would the destiny of the game have been if its name was ‘Zombie Mansion’ or ‘Virus House’? Yes, right. Doesn’t have the same muscle, does it?
Residents Evil’s Heritage and the Influence of Biohazard on Its Title
All legal mess that followed in the western market aside, Biohazard remained unchanged as the title in Japan. There is a reason that the Japanese version of the name gives a sense of nostalgia. In Japan, Biohazard refers to the biological and horror concepts that are central to the game. It isn’t about haunted houses and zombies fighting. It’s about the wider concepts of bioterrorism and international disaster and corporate greed.
And let’s face it, Biohazard must sound so much better, right? You know what you are about to face next – it is evil but not for evil’s sake; it is a bio-political nightmare Management on a biological level at its highest degree of catastrophe.
In the end, though, correct me if I am wrong, both versions has its merits as well. Resident Evil evokes that spirit of Gothic horror whilst Biohazard captures the more global and intense aspects of biological threat. It is a veritable sword blade. And in a way, the franchise gets to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Conclusion: A Strategic Move or a Missed Opportunity?
So, was the name change an effective tactic? Well, honest I must say it was. Sure, we can argue that Biohazard is the better name – it packs a lot more energy and captures the fundamental ideas of the game more effectively. But Resident Evil held its own appeal, and I guess its name in the end became iconic in its own right. Sometimes restrictions can be the mother of invention. And in this situation, that restriction rather resulted in a name that has come to be as legendary as the game.
Would the franchise have been different if it was known worldwide as Bio hazard? Possibly so. But we don’t know, and disappointment is not apart of any of this, and that is a good thing.
FAQ’s on Why is Resident Evil Called Biohazard?
What caused the change of name from *Biohazard* to *Resident Evil* in the West?
According to Capcom, it was necessary to put the name Oklahoma on the title due to some legal issues. In the U.S. there were already other entities like a band and a movie who had the name Bio-Hazar. Therefore, the game could not be under that heading either. Thus, they went for resident evil instead.
Was *Resident Evil* ever going to have a different name as well?
Yes! It was in the preliminary brainstorming stage that several forms emerged. Some were quite far-fetched others of course were crazy. However, Resident Evil won because it represented the mood of the game especially the scary mansion harboring monsters.
Is it in the best interest of the residents who invade the house and the name *Resident Evil?*
The name captures conveniently the house where the ‘evil’ lies most of the first quarters is in the house. This underlined the life of a haunted house, which was the whole point around the game in its early stages.
How different is gameplay in *Resident Evil* from the *Biohazard* version, if at all?
No, it s game play that remains the same irrespective of the terminology used. Only the title changes. Be it Resident Evil or Biohazard, one grabs the same back to back action game.
How does the change of the name affect the story if at all?
Not at all. The story remains the same across the borders of regions. The last name has course changed due to marketing and legal factors regarding the Western release. The story, characters, and history of the game remain the same regardless of the cover title.
