Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City begins March 20

The Raccoon City Board of Tourism should brace itself for another sluggish spring, as Capcom has announced a March 20 launch date for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City. A PC edition will launch at a later date.

Developed by Slant Six, Operation Raccoon City offers a squad-based shooter take on Capcom's seminal survival horror series. The game puts players in control of a half-dozen special commandos employed by The Umbrella Corporation, the sinister pharmaceutical corporation whose unethical experiments caused the series' rash of zombie outbreaks in the first place. While most entries in the Resident Evil series have players either containing a zombie outbreak or working to expose the truth behind Umbrella's dirty dealings, the commandos' job in Slant Six's game is to cover up the company's dirt and make sure there are no survivors in Raccoon City.

Capcom also detailed some preorder incentives for Operation Raccoon City. Those who put money down at participating retailers early will receive an extra costume for each of the game's playable commandos, as well as two retailer-exclusive bonus weapons. Players who want it all will be able to pick up a Special Edition of the game in SteelBook packaging that will include two embroidered patches and all eight bonus weapons.

For more on the game, check out GameSpot's latest preview of Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City.