What does "Resident Evil" actually mean?

[Tryzon]

I got to thinking: surely that name makes no logical sense? Does it refer to malicious forces in your residence, or what? In Japan, the series goes by the more logical title of "Biohazard", which I prefer, because at least it undoubtably conforms to the basic rules of the English language, which is ironic, considering that only a non-English speaking nation uses the name. Anyway, perhaps a helpful fanboy can assist me on this one, eh?

 

[RedDiablo]

I think it's "Resident", because the threat is usually close to a place where people live, so therefore, its a "resident".

 

[Ago Iterum]

Resident - Residents of the town of racoon city that it affects. Like, it is resident to the area.

Evil - How the virus was created, and what it's doing.

Seems simple to me.

 

[ZeroMachine]

This is just my theory, but I think it makes sense:

Back when RE was first brought over to the US, campy horror movies were more popular. The ones that made you think at all weren't doing as well as others, so instead of going with the obviously cooler, more badass title "Biohazard" which also would make perfect sense here, the localization teams decided to go with something more akin to Evil Dead... Resident Evil.

So basically "In this mansion, the Residents are Evil. It'll totally sell!!!" Which it did, so the title over here will probably never change. After all, even though majority of the big RE fans know of the REAL title of the games, enough people in the US don't, so they wouldn't sell as well as it would if it was named Resident Evil.

 

[Tryzon]

That's what I meant by in your residence: nearby. But you have to admit it just sounds like something that wasn't thought through too well? Is the name Undead Horde taken, I wonder? Still, that would mean the fourth game would completely have nothing to do with the name, but Resi 4 is supremely overrated, so I don't care.

EDIT: And to the guy posting just above this, your explanation is the most credible yet. Kudos.

 

[Collymilad08]

To me it does make sense.

If a place contains some kind of presence, e.g. evil - you could say that evil was the "Resident Evil" of that place.

Just as you could say that a stupid person in a house could be the "Resident Moron"

See what I mean?

EDIT: Basically what C Lion said.

 

[Grampy_bone]

My problem with the title 'Resident Evil' is that it evokes thoughts of the supernatural, which the games actually contain none of. The first game was about fighting zombies and monsters in a mansion, a classic horror theme, so they gave is a horror title and called it a day. In many ways though the games are actually a subversion of this theme, so the title is even less appropriate.

But who knew that one badly translated and acted game would spawn so many sequels? The bad name stuck, even though it's meaningless. Changing it back to Biohazard would do more harm than good.

 

[Axolotl]

It sounds cool, what more do you need?

 

[Erana]

I got to thinking: surely that name makes no logical sense? Does it refer to malicious forces in your residence, or what? In Japan, the series goes by the more logical title of "Biohazard", which I prefer, because at least it undoubtably conforms to the basic rules of the English language, which is ironic, considering that only a non-English speaking nation uses the name. Anyway, perhaps a helpful fanboy can assist me on this one, eh?

They use, "Biohazard" in China, too, if I understood that chinese guy correctly.

Anyway, its a survivor-horror game. Though "Resident" is an odd choice of words, it still makes people think of something local. Tag on Evil, and you have the idea of baddies a little too close to home.

 

[MintyFreshBreathGuy]

I don't know! I tried guessing it myself. I thought it was because of Resident Evil 1 every "Resident" in the mansion turned into a monster or zombie, that's what I think.

P.S. I too like the name "Biohazard" more. It goes more with the game than "Resident Evil."

 

[runtheplacered]

I actually think it's a neat combination of words. Titles would be boring as hell if they always had to "make sense".

Although, as others have pointed out, the title actually does make sense.

 

[Booze Zombie]

Resident Evil, the current evil. It's simple, yeah?

 

[thatotherguy2]

I personaly dont care. They are already heading into number 5 ( though its probably the 17 with stuff like veronica and the gamecube remake and all the ones without number discluding resident evil zero) so discluding the name now would be thinking its a new frranchise riping off resident evil very much. Besides resident evil sounds more badass and creepy than zombie mowdown doesnt it?

 

[Pyro Paul]

When released in the United States, a Band already snagged the name 'Biohazard' so in an attempt to prevent confusion they changed the name to 'Resident Evil'. this was a concept built on the orginal game in which you are romping around a mansion, and everything in the mansion is undead- ergo evil.

the resident you are in is evil.
because you never leave the mansion grounds, the name fits.

however, in order to keep name recognition with the game so that players would know that this is the next of a particular game they where forced to stay with the Resident Evil name even though as time went on the meaning became more deluded and less represenitive of the game. all to prevent confusion and make more sales.

 

[PirateKing]

It really doesn't mean anything. They call it Biohazard in Japan which really makes a lot more sense...not that those games desperately strive to make sense though.
Evil was definitely the resident in that village in RE4. That's the only one I've played so I'm probably not as well informed.

 

[adzman]

resident, adjective (comparative more resident, superlative most resident)
1. the person on hand who is the strongest in a particular skill or profession


Strongest evil around makes sense too.