Resident Evil Outbreak Has Online Play Restored

I am Zombie_Professor, a veteran member of the Bring Back Resident Evil Outbreak Campaign. I am proud to celebrate with all of you this great news about the Resident Evil Outbreak server re-creation. Special thanks to The Fog and all his buddies who made it all possible. For complete details about how to play online check out: http://www.obsrv.org/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=545

The Outbreak server revival gives Outbreak fans a great place to gather and play online together. It is a heart-warming story of resilience and dedication. Diehard fans of a ten year old game triumphantly construct an online server and continue to enjoy it even though the official servers closed down over five years ago.

When the plug was pulled on the online servers, the excitement players experienced while playing Outbreak online came to an abrupt end. Many players came to the conclusion that Resident Evil Outbreak was finally dead. But our Bring Back Resident Evil Outbreak Campaign challenges that notion. Instead of giving up, we are urging all Outbreak fans to come together, play online and voice support for the series.

I am also pleased to report that our "Request For Resident Evil Outbreak File #3 Petition" has amassed over 9900 signatures of support from passionate Resident Evil Outbreak fans. With our target of 10,000 signatures within reach, the petition is sure to turn heads at Capcom headquarters. http://www.petitiononline.com/042690/petition.html

Our team is extremely excited to see more strong-willed survivors joining the online Outbreak server. I look forward to seeing all of you in the game.

Yay!
(Signed the petition, too).

Awesome, thanks Pwnerx! Hope to see you online soon, buddy.

I have successfully connected to the online Outbreak File 2 server. The online community is very friendly and the server is running smoothly. Zombie_P is my username. Join up for some scenarios with me and my friends and we will have a blast.

Awesome. I never got to play Outbreak online. And I probably won't cuz i don't have a way to play online.

Zombie_Professor wrote:

Awesome, thanks Pwnerx! Hope to see you online soon, buddy.

I have successfully connected to the online Outbreak File 2 server. The online community is very friendly and the server is running smoothly. Zombie_P is my username. Join up for some scenarios with me and my friends and we will have a blast.

I need the PS2 internet rig xD

Zombie_Professor wrote:

With our target of 10,000 signatures within reach, the petition is sure to turn heads at Capcom headquarters.

Not likely. A mere 10,000 buys wouldn't warrant the production cost. ORC falling short of expectations isn't going to help either.

Ghost Leader wrote:

Zombie_Professor wrote:

With our target of 10,000 signatures within reach, the petition is sure to turn heads at Capcom headquarters.

Not likely. A mere 10,000 buys wouldn't warrant the production cost. ORC falling short of expectations isn't going to help either.

Well, if they had money, they could release the 10,000 copies of Resident Evil Outbreak File 3, and depending on how fast they go, make 5,000 more, and continue from there. And if the number of copies sold was high enough, that could alter the possibility of RE7 being an action game to being a horror game again. IF they make Outbreak File 3 a horror game.

Friendly really? I've been told countless tales of people killing team members on purpose, and others acting like self entitled assholes on there...so no thanks I'll pass... And seriously after what the hell has happened on the 123 modding forums which is apparently something too do with members of your forum has made me realize just how retarded some of the resident evil community can be... -_-

PWNERX wrote:

Well, if they had money, they could release the 10,000 copies of Resident Evil Outbreak File 3, and depending on how fast they go, make 5,000 more, and continue from there. And if the number of copies sold was high enough, that could alter the possibility of RE7 being an action game to being a horror game again. IF they make Outbreak File 3 a horror game.

The main problem isn't the cost of the discs (if it was, they could get around it by making it digital anyway), it's that 10,000 won't even be enough to cover the wages of the people making the game, even if it had a small team.

^Precisely.

Look, don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with liking Outbreak or wanting another one to be made, but we're going on two console generations since the last one and the likelihood of a sequel to Outbreak 2 is getting smaller and smaller. There's also nothing wrong with being optimistic or proactive about it. But it's best not to get too optimistic, otherwise you'll be even more disappointed if it doesn't happen.

But then even if it does happen, there's also the chance that the game will end up absolutely sucking (Duke Nukem Forever, anyone?). This I know from personal experience with Golden Axe: Beast Rider and Assassin's Creed III, among a few other games.

As the former administrator of the Support Outbreak website, I am glad to share with everyone some facts regarding Resident Evil Outbreak.

- According to Capcom's sales figures: the original Outbreak game sold 1.45 million copies on the Playstation 2 earning its spot as number 39 on Capcom's platinum titles list. http://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/business/million.html

- Capcom continues to give fans access to the official Resident Evil Outbreak websites: http://www.capcom.com/reof2/main.html http://www.capcom.co.jp/biohazardoutbreak/file1/file01.html
http://www.capcom.co.jp/biohazardoutbreak/main.html

- Capcom is well aware that video game websites praised the dynamics of the game. IGN called Resident Evil Outbreak the “Best Action Game”, Gamers.com called it the “Best PS2 Game” and Gamepro awarded it an Editors Choice Award.

- Capcom rereleased Resident Evil Outbreak in their collection: Resident Evil The Essentials, which was released on September 11th 2007. The three games in this collection are Resident Evil Outbreak, Resident Evil Code Veronica X and Resident Evil 4. Capcom knew that these titles were essential Resident Evil games. All three games deserve respect for being Capcom platinum sellers.

- It is a well known fact that many members of Capcom's staff would love to see the the Outbreak series revived. Assistant producer of Resident Evil Operation Raccoon City, Mike Ross said in an interview with Playstation Magazine UK "that he was a big fan of Outbreak and even acknowledged that there was a huge support group on Capcom Unity." Capcom producer Rey Jiminez added "that he was also a big fan and added that Outbreak was ahead of its time." http://www.play-mag.co.uk/general/capcom-captivate-round-up/

- D.C. Douglas, the legendary voice actor for Wesker, voiced his support for Resident Evil Outbreak.
In his own words: "I thought I'd come by and throw my name onto your list of folks who want RE Outbreak back! I'd think Capcom would oblige since they know that the fans are what make their company thrive."  http://www.capcom-unity.com/resident_evil/go/forum/search?blogID=10047621&categoryID=7391&forumID=17231&threadID=18679115&terms=Douglas&searchLevel=thread&pg=4  

- Interestingly enough, Christian Svensson, Capcom's Vice President of Strategic Planning & Business Development has said:

"I know that there are some fans who want old Outbreak to come back or a new title in the series. Very vocal ones at that. It comes up in planning discussions from time to time but it hasn't yet made it over the hump. Maybe someday it will." ... "As Seth alluded to on the stream, there have been some extrodinary lengths some folks internally have gone to try and help those Outbreak stalwarts that unfortunately didn't come good. Unfortunately, I can't talk about those things but just know there are people internally, especially in our office, supporting your desires." http://www.capcom-unity.com/ask_capcom/go/thread/view/7371/27573921/resident-evil-outbreak-a-low-priority?pg=2

Ghost Leader wrote:

Duke Nukem Forever, anyone?

I actually liked that game...

Mass Distraction wrote:

Ghost Leader wrote:

Duke Nukem Forever, anyone?

I actually liked that game...

I liked TWD: Survival Instinct, but it was still a pretty subpar game. The point I was trying to make is that it was way over-hyped and everybody waiting those 10+ years for it got a subpar game that looked and played like it was hashed out in six months or less. People put Outbreak on a similarly high pedestal.

Ghost Leader wrote:

Mass Distraction wrote:

Ghost Leader wrote:

Duke Nukem Forever, anyone?

I actually liked that game...

I liked TWD: Survival Instinct, but it was still a pretty subpar game. The point I was trying to make is that it was way over-hyped and everybody waiting those 10+ years for it got a subpar game that looked and played like it was hashed out in six months or less. People put Outbreak on a similarly high pedestal.

Teh Spike says; while Teh Spike did enjoy both Outbreak titles very much, I can see what you are saying. Now I'm sure you are not trying to discredit how awesome and fun the Outbreak series is, and all of the detail and work put into those games, but they do seem a bit...I'm not sure how to describe it, but different from the games in the main series. Particularly gameplay wise.

Ghost Leader wrote:

Mass Distraction wrote:

Ghost Leader wrote:

Duke Nukem Forever, anyone?

I actually liked that game...

I liked TWD: Survival Instinct, but it was still a pretty subpar game. The point I was trying to make is that it was way over-hyped and everybody waiting those 10+ years for it got a subpar game that looked and played like it was hashed out in six months or less. People put Outbreak on a similarly high pedestal.

I wouldn't say I liked TWD: Survival Instinct, but it DEFINITELY has some decent aspects that other zombie games ignore - I think the stealth elements were there and I wish they were present in games like Dead Rising or even the latest Resident Evil games (let's not get into those though). I also liked how the enemies swarm and just come out of the woodworks when you do finally make loud noises which also adds to the experience. They paid attention with small details in the A.I. I think by having the zombies kinda sniff around for you if you got too close (I believe in the first Resident Evil, the zombies sniffed if you watched them closely, but it didn't alert them of your presence). One of my favorite features was being able to ONE HIT KILL with the KNIFE, which is something I hoped for in RE for the longest - I mean seriously, who stabs a zombie in the guts and expects it to go down XD. Also, IIRC, the zombies didn't go down unless they're brain was destroyed or if they were dismembered (A leg and an arm?)

As I type these lists of pros I'm actually finding joy in remembering the game, but with that being said, I just felt everything done would've been possible (graphics and all) on the 6th-Generation consoles (PS2, GameCube, XBOX, etc) so I expected more from a 2013 release. The game felt more like it was released in 2005.

Would type more, but surely this is the wrong topic for it, just had to comment on that XD - I'm new btw.

TheLevelBest wrote:

IIRC, the zombies didn't go down unless they're brain was destroyed or if they were dismembered (A leg and an arm?)

In the original RE? Naw, you could just shoot at their guts until they died. I think it was 4 or 5 shots from the handgun to the body until they died. Or were you talking about Survival Instinct? That I haven't played.

Welcome to the forums by the way. You should tell a bit about yourself in the introductions section

Yea, I was referring to Survival Instinct XD. It's not a bad game imo, but it seems dated - makes me feel like I'm playing a PS2 title.

Thanks for the welcome and I'll be sure to check out the introductions section

Average yearly wage for a game developer = $75,000.

If capcom put together a team of 10 people to work for 1 year on porting RE: outbreak 1 and 2 to the PSN network. It would cost Capcom a minimum of $750,000 not to mention publishing costs just to start the porting process.

+ You need to go through about 6 months of QA Testing (which can take a whole department. at EA just testing out a Nascar game where the player drove in circles for 500 laps took a department of about 10-30 people. We'll assume another 10 employees @ $25,000 for 6 months = $250,000

Publishing costs = $50,000 ? (includes localization and language translations)

Total = $1 million minimum (possibly $3 million)

Game will sell for $20 on PSN
Capcom wil earn $12 of profit off of that $20.
100,000 people need to buy the game @ $20 in order for Capcom to break even.

Given the fact that when RE:Outbreak 2 was new on the market it only sold 200,000 copies in North America. Selling an old game like Outbreak is going to be tough. Only the most die hard fans are going to buy it. And It's too risky.

Also. What about servers? Who will maintain the servers? Capcom will have to re-develop parts of the Outbreak games to a different online play solution. That would cost even more.

Friends, on behalf of the entire Bring Back Resident Evil Outbreak Campaign, I want to give you our heartfelt thanks for your support. The Outbreak games have some of the most loyal and diehard fans out there. Today we celebrate 10,000 signatures on our "Request for Resident Evil Outbreak File #3" petition. http://www.petitiononline.com/042690/petition.html

Our team has achieved great things by working together, that is what unity is all about. In the words of the Capcom Admin, "Stay enthusiastic! Keep making noise! Let Capcom know how important this is and how many other people agree with you."

Overwhelmingly, I have received positive feedback about our petition. Fans are growing more and more enthusiastic and are making noise. Our campaign is carrying a great deal of positive momentum right now. The petition numbers continue to climb upwards and Resident Evil Outbreak discussions across all gaming forums are hot topics. We are making great strides to show Capcom how much fans want Resident Evil Outbreak back.

Zombie_Professor wrote:

Friends, on behalf of the entire Bring Back Resident Evil Outbreak Campaign, I want to give you our heartfelt thanks for your support. The Outbreak games have some of the most loyal and diehard fans out there. Today we celebrate 10,000 signatures on our "Request for Resident Evil Outbreak File #3" petition.

Overwhelmingly, I have received positive feedback about our petition. Fans are growing more and more enthusiastic and are making noise. Our campaign is carrying a great deal of positive momentum right now. The petition numbers continue to climb upwards and Resident Evil Outbreak discussions across all gaming forums are hot topics. We are making great strides to show Capcom how much fans want Resident Evil Outbreak back.

Too bad it won't mean squat. Sorry to sound negative, but I'm simply being a realist here. Your petition, all its signatures, and all the "noise" you're making won't bring Outbreak 3 even close to a reality.

Quote :

In the words of the Capcom Admin, "Stay enthusiastic! Keep making noise! Let Capcom know how important this is and how many other people agree with you."

You realize he's just pandering to you, right?

I will always love the outbreak games! I will keep hope that they may make a return at some point, but i know it's a very small chance.  

EQOAnostalgia, it is nice to see strong-willed survivors like you whose support for Outbreak has never died.

Capcom has been known to give their fans what they want. If we are determined enough, we will succeed. It is worth fighting for the chance to play Outbreak online again with all of our friends.

Greetings I have signed the petition but its been said that the petition is from 07 right? Its just going to be hard to persuade capcom that way, I think we need a new and keep that petition alive too. That is why I made a new one

https://www.change.org/petitions/capcom-resident-evil-outbreak-file-3-or-a-port-of-the-two-re-outbreak-games

I think we need at least 50,000 signatures to start hoping for something.

TheLevelBest wrote:

Ghost Leader wrote:

Mass Distraction wrote:

Ghost Leader wrote:

Duke Nukem Forever, anyone?

I actually liked that game...

I liked TWD: Survival Instinct, but it was still a pretty subpar game. The point I was trying to make is that it was way over-hyped and everybody waiting those 10+ years for it got a subpar game that looked and played like it was hashed out in six months or less. People put Outbreak on a similarly high pedestal.

I wouldn't say I liked TWD: Survival Instinct, but it DEFINITELY has some decent aspects that other zombie games ignore - I think the stealth elements were there and I wish they were present in games like Dead Rising or even the latest Resident Evil games (let's not get into those though). I also liked how the enemies swarm and just come out of the woodworks when you do finally make loud noises which also adds to the experience. They paid attention with small details in the A.I. I think by having the zombies kinda sniff around for you if you got too close (I believe in the first Resident Evil, the zombies sniffed if you watched them closely, but it didn't alert them of your presence). One of my favorite features was being able to ONE HIT KILL with the KNIFE, which is something I hoped for in RE for the longest - I mean seriously, who stabs a zombie in the guts and expects it to go down XD. Also, IIRC, the zombies didn't go down unless they're brain was destroyed or if they were dismembered (A leg and an arm?)

As I type these lists of pros I'm actually finding joy in remembering the game, but with that being said, I just felt everything done would've been possible (graphics and all) on the 6th-Generation consoles (PS2, GameCube, XBOX, etc) so I expected more from a 2013 release. The game felt more like it was released in 2005.

Would type more, but surely this is the wrong topic for it, just had to comment on that XD - I'm new btw.

The beginning of Ada's chapter in RE6 has some stealth, if that's something you're interested in. Otherwise, just pop in MGS if you're in the mood for some stealth action!

Whether Capcom is bringing Outbreak back or not, in the last few weeks I've managed to soft mod mine and a friends PS2's, ordered Swapmagic, and have two Japanese copies of Outbreak File 1 on the way. Once I get these running online, we'll be playing online using the still up and running Japanese server.

Once I confirm all this works, would anyone be interested in playing? Man, a four man Outbreak team sounds so awesome right now...