The Future of AAA Mobile Game Development: Insights from Resident Evil Village on iOS

Playing Resident Evil Village on an iPad Pro is a remarkable experience, with the game running natively on the device and boasting visuals on par with its console counterparts. The recent port of the game to iOS is a significant achievement, especially considering the previous cloud-based version on Nintendo Switch. The rise of cloud gaming services and dedicated devices has led to the assumption that streaming is the primary way to experience cutting-edge titles on mobile devices. However, the inclusion of Apple's powerful M2 chip in its latest devices has enabled developers to create high-end console-like experiences on mobile. The M2 chip has been instrumental in realizing AAA game ports, and its power is evident in the smooth performance of Resident Evil Village on iOS. Capcom had previously ported the game to MacOS, which facilitated the iOS port. "We had an existing relationship with Apple, and the new M2 chip presented an opportunity to bring Resident Evil to a broader audience," says Masachika Kawata, one of the game's producers. "We were impressed by the M2's capabilities and what we could achieve with this port." The development team, who handled the iOS port internally, benefited from their previous work on the MacOS version. "We had already updated our internal RE Engine to support MacOS development, so it was relatively easy to continue that work on iOS," Kawata explains. "There are similarities between the platforms, which helped us with the porting process." Working with the RE Engine, which has been praised for its versatility, made developing for iOS with the M2 chip feel similar to developing for current-gen consoles. However, there are still considerations such as screen size. One potential drawback is that the game hasn't been optimized for unique mobile features like touch or motion controls, with the only control options being a DualSense controller or a virtual touch controller. "We've included options to adjust button positions and sizes on the screen, allowing players to customize their experience," Kawata adds. "While we've maintained an orthodox style by default, players can modify the settings to create a more mobile-friendly experience." The iOS version of Village is a significant improvement over the original Resident Evil 4's mobile version, and it's impressive to see the game on par with its current-gen counterparts. The future port of Resident Evil 4 will be a universal purchase, allowing users to buy the game once and play it on any Apple M2-powered hardware. As mobile hardware continues to improve, it's possible that iOS could become a simultaneous release platform for new games. Producer Tsuyoshi Kanda is optimistic about this future, stating, "I think it's feasible to target mobile devices alongside current-gen consoles as part of our multi-platform strategy." Kawata concludes, "Our current process involves taking previously released products and adapting them for new platforms. We're not ready to commit to simultaneous releases for future titles, but we're eager to gather feedback and improve with each iteration."