Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City takes place loosely between RE2 and RE3, but Capcom says continuity nerds shouldn't read too much into the placement. Producer Masachika Kawata says the story has "not so much to do with the RE history" and poses the spin-off as tangentially related.

"This title was set in the timeline between RE3 and RE2," Kawata told CVG. "However, this is a totally different story, which has not so much to do with the RE history. This is a world of 'if's. And because of this setting and the point of view, we were able to broaden our possibilities and realise all the new ideas."

That loose continuity may be partly because Capcom and developer Slant Six want the title to broaden the Resident Evil market. "Of course, it would be best if this game could attract both existing and new RE fans," Kawata said. "It would make us happiest if the existing RE fans play ORC to enjoy the new exciting contents, at the same time, if new game fans notice RE and become interested in the RE universe."

Operation Raccoon City is releasing this year, but Capcom has no plans to release a beta or demo version of the game. It will hit PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.