Amazon listings for “Resident Evil Requiem” have been overrun by dozens of strategy guides that appear to be AI-generated and published through print-on-demand services. The guides claim to offer complete walkthroughs, puzzle solutions, and item locations despite the game not yet being available to play.
The books follow a recognizable pattern. Generic titles like “Ultimate Guide” or “Master the Game” paired with AI-generated cover art. Vague descriptions promising expert strategies without naming specific game mechanics. Authors with no publishing history suddenly releasing guides for multiple unrelated franchises within days of each other.
Print-on-demand technology makes this flood possible. Publishers can list books immediately without printing a single copy upfront. The book only gets printed when someone orders it. No inventory risk, no editorial oversight, and no need to actually play the game being covered.
The problem hits shoppers trying to find legitimate products. Parents buying gifts for their kids report accidentally purchasing these guides only to discover them filled with generic advice or outright fabricated content. One Amazon returns facility worker says they process AI-generated books constantly, with many coming back marked as misleading or worthless.
Some of these Resident Evil Requiem guides appeared advertising “tips” and “secrets” more than a month before any version of the game could have been played through. Comprehensive strategy guides typically require full access to the final game build and significant playtime to verify information. These books skip that entire process by generating text that sounds plausible without caring about accuracy.
The books that shouldn’t exist
Shoppers can spot suspicious listings through several red flags. Publication dates that predate the game’s release window. Cover art with inconsistent typography or bizarre imagery. Descriptions using repetitive phrasing or making overconfident claims without specifics. Multiple “guides” from the same publisher releasing across completely different game genres within days.
Legitimate strategy guides still exist but are now rarer and more specialized. Premium publishers produce large-format hardcovers with developer interviews, high-quality maps, and exclusive artwork. These official guides clearly display publisher branding and typically release alongside or shortly after the game itself.
