A new leak suggests that Dead Rising is finally making a comeback, with Capcom reportedly developing a full new mainline entry starring Frank West. If accurate, this would be the first major installment since Dead Rising 4 released in 2016. Despite a remaster of the original launching last year, the franchise has been mostly inactive for almost ten years. Earlier reboot rumors in 2023 never materialized, leaving many to assume the series had reached its end.
However, Capcom has a long record of reviving older franchises after lengthy breaks. The twelve-year gap between Dragon’s Dogma and its 2024 sequel is a recent example. Considering how strong Dead Rising once performed, a sequel would not be surprising.
A New Mainline Dead Rising Featuring Frank West
According to the report, Capcom is not working on a remaster or remake but a completely new mainline game. The project is said to be codenamed “Rec” and may act as a direct sequel to the first Dead Rising. Details on how it connects to Dead Rising 4 are still unclear.
Frank West is reportedly returning as the protagonist, bringing back the well-known photography mechanic that defined the series from its beginning. Its inclusion hints at a deliberate shift back toward the earlier games’ structure and pacing.
Hollywood Movie Studio Setting
The leak claims the new Dead Rising takes place in an enclosed Hollywood movie studio lot rather than an open world. This would be far closer to the detailed and compact environments of Dead Rising 1 and 2.
The story reportedly centers around a deranged film director who forces Frank to participate in various trials while attempting to create a movie during the zombie outbreak. Survivors would appear as actors hiding on different sets, aligning with the franchise’s classic rescue mechanic.
A Hollywood lot could provide diverse film-themed environments while still maintaining the tight layout that long-time fans prefer.
Return of Psychopaths and Classic Mechanics
The report also suggests that Psychopaths will return as enemies working under the director. One detail mentions a minion who Frank rescues early on, only to discover that they are forced to film every event while a bomb is strapped to their body. This dark but eccentric tone matches what many players loved about the original games.
Another major feature reportedly returning is the time-limit mechanic, which played a central role in the series’ identity before being heavily minimized in later entries.
A Back-to-Basics Approach for Dead Rising
If the leak is accurate, Capcom appears to be returning the franchise to its strengths:
- smaller, detailed environments
- survivor rescues
- Psychopath boss encounters
- timed structure
- Frank West’s photography
This shift contrasts sharply with Dead Rising 3 and 4, which embraced a broader open-world format that many fans felt diluted the series’ tension and charm.
The leak also states the new game is still far from release, so official information may take time to surface. Even so, the idea of Frank West returning in a Hollywood-themed sequel has already reignited excitement around a franchise many thought was gone for good.
