Resident Evil Requiem Fans Freaking Out After Mass Cancellation Emails From Amazon

Why It Matters

The cancellations erode consumer confidence in major e‑commerce platforms and expose vulnerabilities in the pre‑order model that could reshape retailer‑publisher partnerships.

Key Takeaways

• Amazon canceled many Deluxe Steelbook pre‑orders.
• Supply shortage forced refunds for thousands of customers.
• New Amazon Exclusive edition ships after launch.
• Digital copies remain only on‑time option.
• Pre‑order reliability concerns may shift retailer loyalty.

Pulse Analysis

The sudden cancellation of *Resident Evil Requiem* Deluxe Steelbook pre‑orders underscores a growing tension between hype‑driven demand and real‑world supply constraints. Amazon’s decision to reopen the listing after the initial sell‑out led to an overcommitment that outpaced Capcom’s production capacity. When the supplier could not fulfill the surge, the retailer opted for mass refunds, a move that not only disappointed eager fans but also raised questions about inventory visibility across large e‑commerce platforms. This incident mirrors similar supply‑chain hiccups seen in recent blockbuster game releases, where physical editions become scarce commodities.

For consumers, the episode reinforces the risk of relying on physical pre‑orders for timely access. Digital copies, which can be delivered instantly, emerged as the only guaranteed way to play *Resident Evil Requiem* at launch. Meanwhile, Amazon’s introduction of an “Exclusive” edition—essentially a rebranded Deluxe package—offers little practical benefit when its shipping window extends well beyond the release date. The situation may accelerate a shift toward digital-first purchasing strategies, prompting publishers to prioritize online distribution channels and reconsider the value proposition of limited‑edition physical bundles.

Publishers and retailers can mitigate future fallout by aligning demand forecasts with manufacturing lead times and improving real‑time inventory reporting. Capcom might explore direct‑to‑consumer sales or partner with specialty retailers that can better manage limited‑run editions. Amazon, on the other hand, could implement stricter order caps or clearer communication about stock levels to preserve brand trust. As the industry leans into next‑gen consoles and streaming services, transparent supply chain practices will become a competitive differentiator for both game makers and the platforms that sell them.

Resident Evil Requiem Fans Freaking Out After Mass Cancellation Emails From Amazon

By Zack Zwiezen · Published February 11, 2026

Players who pre‑ordered Capcom’s upcoming Resident Evil Requiem through Amazon are discovering the scariest part of the survival‑horror sequel might not even be in the game. Instead, many are fearful to check their email and discover their order has been canceled.

Resident Evil Requiem is out February 27 on consoles and PC. And like every other major video‑game release of the last decade, Requiem will come in a few different versions that players can pre‑order ahead of time. One of these versions is a Deluxe Steelbook edition that comes with all digital goodies you expect—skins, costumes, a hardy steelbook cover, and some extra lenticular cards. A lot of people wanted this version, leading to it selling out quickly. When Amazon reopened pre‑orders for it, people took advantage of the opportunity. But now many are reporting that their order of this version has been canceled due to a lack of supply.

Checking the Resident Evil subreddit today, you’ll find plenty of posts from people sharing the horror that their Requiem pre‑order has been canceled. It seems that many ordered the Deluxe Steelbook edition when Amazon recently opened up pre‑orders again. Amazon appears to have sold more than Capcom was able to provide, and emailed many customers that it had canceled and refunded their order because it was no longer “available from the supplier.”

Other people who checked their order discovered that their pre‑ordered copy of the Deluxe Edition was still shipping to them, but would not arrive until weeks after launch in March. Meanwhile, a new version of the game has popped up on Amazon. This “Amazon Exclusive Edition” comes with a poster and seems to be the company’s replacement for the now‑unavailable Deluxe Edition. However, if you want to play the latest Resident Evil sequel at launch, don’t buy this new edition, as it also won’t be delivered until March.

“First time pre‑ordering from Amazon. Never again,” wrote one person who shared a screenshot of their copy of the Amazon Exclusive Edition that won’t show up until March 28, nearly a month after launch. Ouch.

Kotaku has reached out to Amazon and Capcom about the situation. For now, if you want to play Resident Evil Requiem at launch, consider buying a digital copy or avoid Amazon and shop elsewhere.