Capcom: Resident Evil: Mercenaries originally began as tech test

Masachika Kawata, producer on both Resident Evil titles for 3DS, has said that the upcoming Mercenaries had previously began life as a tech test.

Speaking as part of a new Iwata Asks with Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata, Kawata said, despite its beginnings as a tech demo, there was enough demand there for a Mercenaries-led title, based on the Mercenaries mode from Resident Evil 4 and 5. The publisher also wanted something to release as close as possible to 3DS's launch

He also stated that, even though it was announced and playable ahead of Mercenaries, other 3DS title Revelations is taking longer because the development team is still working away on areas in the game as well as its story scenario.

There's more details on the Kawata and Iwata chat at Andriasang. Resident Evil: Mercenaries releases on June 28 in the US, with a UK launch expected for July. Revelations will launch in 2012.