Resident Evil isn’t the “original” name, since the Japanese version calls the entire series BIOHAZARD. Only versions outside Japan call and refer the entire series as Resident Evil. They’re exactly the same game with the difference being the name. I think BIOHAZARD refers to the end game sequence (in most entries in the series, but not all) where they find the lab that’s owned by Umbrella Corp.
On their Wikipedia, first paragraph of History:
When in late 1994 marketing executives were setting up to release Biohazard in the United States, it was pointed out that securing the rights to the name Biohazard would be very difficult as a DOS game had been registered under that name, as well as a New York hardcore punk band called Biohazard. A contest was held among company personnel to choose a new name; this competition turned up Resident Evil, the name under which it was released in the west.[9] Resident Evil made its debut on the PlayStation in 1996 and was ported to the Sega Saturn.
I’ve been a long time fan of the series and never took the time to learn this. I also never knew it was ported to the Saturn, so doubly neat. We’re having a two-for-one special on the fun facts today.
For a long time I held the belief that it was renamed for american audiences to play up the haunted house aspect (The RESIDENT of this abode of the damned is EVIL). Which made it all more amusing when the franchise immediately pivoted away from exploring mansions by the time the second game came out.
The trademark wasn’t available in the US.
IDK I think resident evil sounds like a more interesting title anyway.
Biohazard is just a generic term, and sounds pretty lame for a game title IMO.You know, I was lurking around in all, and saw this and immediately thought, this is wildly interesting. I’ve played since the original and never knew why. So, it’s super lame. Trademarks. A communications director said it would be hard to get the TM in USA, so Capcom voted to change it to Resident Evil internally. The name was picked because it took place in a mansion. You are correct in that, BIOHAZARD refers to the end game with Umbrella.
