This was sent to us by Gamestop manager Brandon Willey. We heard a lot of stories about this incident and Brandon was nice enough to take the time to write it up. As a bit of background, Capcom attends the annual Gamestop managers conference in Las Vegas, to give them the lowdown on what we’ve got out and what’s coming next. We also offered everyone a tasty can of REVIVE as a “promo” for the upcoming Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles. Here’s what happened next, in his own words (thanks Brandon!):

It was finally time to leave and I was incredibly tired. Our annual Gamestop Conference had just concluded the previous night and I had been partying all night long. I mean, who wouldn’t? This is Las Vegas! The city that never sleeps! I woke up too late for breakfast so I didn’t have time to caffeine up on coffee, but that wasn’t a problem because I still had my can of “Revive” that the Capcom vendors had given the managers [for the forthcoming Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles].

We were told it was a new energy drink and a gift from the Umbrella Corporation for all our work at making the Resident Evil franchise a success. I was a bit skeptical. I mean, who really wants to drink something made by the Umbrella Corporation known for procuring the T-Virus which “Revives” dead cells? With over 5,000 people who got a can of this product, all from different parts of the United States, what a perfect ploy for Umbrella to spread an outbreak! But, in all honesty, I was being stupid. I let my imagination get carried away. Umbrella doesn’t really exist, right?

Needless to say, I couldn’t keep my eyes open on the bus to the Las Vegas airport so I decided to drink it. Within a few minutes I could felt a lot more energized and focused. The can is inconspicuously black, with the words “REVIVE” printed in bold vertically down the can in bold orange. Just under that is Umbrella’s logo and name. Looking around on the bus, I noticed that almost all of the other managers had brought their cans of Revive with them too. They were stuffed in carry on bags, small luggage cases, and even in the pockets of clothes. My guess is that almost everyone partied last night and was all expecting to need an energy boost at some point this morning.

As my bus arrives at the airport terminal, I spot a few of my friends checking in their baggage. I do my best to hurry and catch up with them but I have to stop every few seconds because my leg is itching like crazy. Having an incredibly overactive imagination for someone my age, the first thing I think of is being infected by “Revive” and start silently cursing Umbrella… only to realize a few seconds later that its just my eczema flaring up from the heat. I chuckle at the strange coincidence and rush to catch up to the others at the security checkpoint. This is where my imagination goes wild.

It’s common knowledge now that when boarding airplanes that TSA does not allow liquids onboard, well this little detail seemed to be forgotten today. Near the front of the security checkpoint are hundreds of cans of “Revive” on tables and in bins, confiscated from the managers. Is it coincidence that the majority of us would try and bring these drinks onboard? Are they singling out “Revive” and searching for it in our luggage? Does TSA know something I don’t? No way… I’m just extra paranoid today due to lack of sleep.

As I approach the metal detectors preparing to go through, one of my friends is accosted by a TSA officer about the contents of his bag. They reach in and pull out 3 cans of “Revive” and give him a dirty look. He shrugs his shoulders and tells them he forgot he had them. Just as this is happening, another TSA officer approaches with a cart full of “Revive” and dumps the cans in a large bin labeled “Biohazard”. Now… my heart is racing. Why would they throw what obviously is a harmless soft drink into something as extreme as a “Biohazard” contamination bin?! Are these drinks safe?! Why won’t my leg stop itching?!

At this point, my imagination has gone berserk. Should I try and regurgitate my drink? Should I warn everyone not yet to security to not drink it? Should I amputate my itchy leg to stop the spread of infection? It took about half an hour before I came to my senses and remembered that Umbrella doesn’t exist and that I’ve played too many video games. Maybe I should see a doctor about hysteria. Once again chuckling to myself over my stupidity, an announcement is made; it’s time to board my plane. I begin walking towards my boarding gate when a television in the lobby starts to play a commercial for the new Resident Evil movie. The horror instantly returned.

Resident Evil: Extinction takes place… in Las Vegas. The city is completely wiped out and over run by zombies. I don’t think I even need to say anything more.I am now convinced that there is no way this could be a coincidence. All I could think about on the flight home was a checklist of three things I need to do: Learn how to use firearms, study botany to correctly mix herbs, and find the one can of “Anti-Virus” a soft drink.