Capcom's Devil May Cry originated as a Resident Evil project

The iconic action game series Devil May Cry was originally conceived as a Resident Evil title. Developed by Hideki Kamiya and released 25 years ago, the project began in 1999 as a planned sequel to Resident Evil.

During development, the team moved away from the survival-horror roots of the franchise by implementing a dynamic camera system to facilitate more stylish, fast-paced combat. The aesthetic also shifted from gritty zombie themes toward a Gothic style, with developers traveling to the United Kingdom and Spain to photograph architectural details for inspiration.

Recognizing that the project had strayed too far from the Resident Evil formula, producer Shinji Mikami allowed the team to develop the concept as a standalone franchise. This decision resulted in the debut of the character Dante and the establishment of a major hack-and-slash series.