Resident Evil Village: Capcom’s Latest Mainline Entry Runs Natively on iOS Devices with Apple’s M2 Chip

“We could reach a point where we’re able to target [mobile] alongside current-gen consoles”

Tsuyoshi Kanda, Capcom

The Power of Apple’s M2 Chip

When playing Resident Evil Village on an iPad Pro, it’s astonishing to see Capcom’s latest mainline entry running natively on a mobile device. The game looks every bit as good as its home console counterparts, thanks to Apple’s powerful M2 chip. With their latest devices, including the sixth-gen iPad Pro and the recently released iPhone 15 Pro, Apple has given developers the power of a high-end console in their hands.

Cloud Gaming vs. Native Portability

The rise of cloud-dedicated devices and gaming services like Logitech G Cloud, Razer Edge, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and GeForce Now has led to the assumption that the only practical way to experience bleeding edge titles on portable devices is through streaming. However, the inclusion of Apple’s M2 chip in their latest devices has changed the game. With the power of the M2 chip, developers can now create smooth native ports for iOS, bringing high-quality gaming experiences to more players around the world.

The Smooth Port to iOS

Resident Evil Village’s smooth port to iOS is not only thanks to the M2 chip but also due to unique circumstances. Capcom had already ported the game to MacOS last year, making it compatible with machines equipped with the M2 chip. This previous experience provided a headstart for the development team and made it relatively easy to continue the work on the iOS port. Capcom’s internal RE Engine, known for its versatility, also played a crucial role in developing the game for iOS with the M2 chip.

No Compromises: Parity with Current-Gen Versions

The iOS version of Resident Evil Village is on par with its current-gen console counterparts, a significant achievement considering the compromised ports often seen on other platforms. While the game hasn’t been optimized with unique mobile features like touch, swipe, or motion controls, players have the option to adjust the position and size of buttons on the screen to create a more mobile-customized experience. The inclusion of a DualSense controller option enhances the gameplay experience while the virtual touch controller overlaying the screen can be somewhat awkward.

The Future of iOS Gaming

With the power of Apple’s M2 chip and the continuous improvements in mobile hardware, the future of gaming on iOS looks promising. Capcom producer Tsuyoshi Kanda believes that it is feasible to target iOS devices alongside existing current-generation consoles in the future. However, Masachika Kawata, one of Resident Evil Village’s producers, advises caution and emphasizes that the current process is focused on porting previously released products to other platforms. He believes that feedback and improvements need to be considered for future titles, with the goal of making each iteration better than the last.

Conclusion

The inclusion of Apple’s M2 chip in their latest devices has opened up new possibilities for game developers, allowing them to bring high-quality console experiences to iOS. Resident Evil Village’s smooth port to iOS demonstrates the power of the M2 chip and Capcom’s internal RE Engine. While there may be room for improvement in terms of mobile-specific features, the game’s ability to match the quality of current-gen console versions is impressive. As mobile hardware continues to improve, the future of gaming on iOS looks bright, and we may even see simultaneous releases of new games on iOS alongside other platforms in the years to come.

“We saw the new M2 chip as a great chance to bring Resident Evil to more players around the world”

Masachika Kawata, Capcom

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