Capcom's Umbrella Corporation has taken an unconventional route to promote its latest game, filing what it describes as a 'fictional copyright infringement lawsuit' against Nissin Foods, the Japanese company behind the iconic Cup Noodles brand. The move, announced through Resident Evil's official social media channels, frames the bioweapons conglomerate as suing one of Japan's most recognizable food manufacturers over alleged similarities between Cup Noodles and an in-game product known as 'Umbrella Noodles'.
The complaint, filed at the fictional 'Raccoon City Superior Court', argues that Nissin Foods' Cup Noodles significantly infringe upon Umbrella Corporation's intellectual property rights. The document even includes a mock commercial featuring an Umbrella scientist advising consumers who accidentally purchased Cup Noodles to replicate the experience by adding basil sauce and tripe, claiming a 99.9% success rate in mimicking 'Umbrella Noodles'. The joke, of course, is that the in-game product is a direct homage to the real-world brand, complete with matching red-and-white branding and font design.
From Lore to Marketing
'Umbrella Noodles' first appeared as an Easter egg in Resident Evil Outbreak back in 2003 and has since become a recurring element across multiple entries in the franchise. The most recent appearance came in the 2020 remake of Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, where the product was featured in street ads around Raccoon City. This latest promotional stunt extends that tradition into the marketing for Resident Evil Requiem, set to release on Steam tomorrow.
What We Know So Far
- Umbrella Noodles is an in-game Easter egg that mimics Cup Noodles' design and branding.
- The fictional lawsuit includes a mock commercial suggesting ways to 'upgrade' Cup Noodles to resemble Umbrella Noodles.
- Nissin Foods was founded in 1948, three years before Umbrella Corporation's official founding date of 1968.
- Resident Evil Requiem is expected to feature more appearances of Umbrella Noodles, though no specific details have been revealed yet.
A Stunt with Deeper Lore Roots
The stunt isn't just a humorous marketing tactic—it also plays into the established lore of the Resident Evil universe. The complaint document even references the historical timeline, noting that Umbrella Corporation was founded in 1968, three years before Nissin Foods launched Cup Noodles in 1971. This detail adds a layer of authenticity to the fictional lawsuit, reinforcing the idea that Umbrella's mad scientists were indeed working on such projects during their early years.
While the primary purpose is promotional, there's speculation about whether this could hint at a future collaboration between Capcom and Nissin Foods. The thought of a bioweapons company producing consumer goods—even something as mundane as instant noodles—adds an intriguing twist to the franchise's narrative.
Looking Ahead
Resident Evil Requiem is set to release on Steam, continuing what critics have already praised as a return to form for the series. The game promises to blend elements from various entries in the franchise, offering players a mix of survival horror and action that has become synonymous with Resident Evil. Whether this promotional stunt will translate into gameplay mechanics or simply serve as a humorous Easter egg remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: it's a creative way to generate buzz for an upcoming title.
