Author note: Written by Jachin, a 23-year Resident Evil series fan based in Seoul, South Korea. This guide is based on 6 full RE9 playthroughs on PS5 and Steam (Casual → Insanity → NG+ Insanity completions). All strategies, timings, and locations have been personally tested across the v1.02 patch. AI tools were used only for grammar review and note organization; no AI-generated content appears in strategy analysis.
Verified on: v1.02 + DLC patch · Last reviewed: May 30, 2026 · About the author · Editorial policies
ARK Facility is where RE9 ends. Founded 2014 under Connections sponsorship. Became Plant 43’s research home. Site of Marcus Halverson’s transformation into Chunk. Final destination for Grace and Leon. This is the 12-year complete history.
| When | Event |
|---|---|
| 2014 founding | ARK Facility (Advanced Research Knowledge) founded under Connections sponsorship. Location: classified, but later revealed as USA East Coast underground complex. |
| 2014-2017 mandate | Initial research: Eveline E-virus mold studies. Vivien Ashcroft (still alive) influential in early protocols. |
| 2018 Plant 43 development | Plant 43 synthesized from modified E-virus strain. Originally intended for therapeutic applications. |
| 2020 The Commander arrives | Major Richard Vance assigned as facility operations leader. Pivots research toward weaponization. |
| 2023 Marcus Halverson tragedy | Marcus’s daughter Lily diagnosed with leukemia. He proposes Plant 43 therapeutic research. Rejected by Vance. |
| 2024 Marcus transformation begins | Marcus self-administers Plant 43 culture. Becomes “subject C-7.” 14-month observation period. |
| 2025 Marcus = Chunk completion | Marcus’s transformation complete. Designated “Chunk” by facility. Cover-up of original identity begins. |
| 2025 Vivien’s research breakthrough | Vivien’s sealed 2009 research is reviewed. Pattern matches Eveline reappearances. Decision made to send Grace into Rhodes Hill. |
| February 2026 RE9 events | Grace + Leon reach ARK Facility. Defeat Plant 43, The Commander, Chunk Final, Victor Gideon. Vivien’s Lab reveals everything. |
| Post-RE9 status | ARK Facility destroyed during finale. Connections leadership goes dark. Many records survive in Vivien’s lab. |
| RE10 implications | Director Nakanishi confirmed ARK Facility may be referenced in RE10. Some surviving researchers may form opposition organization. |
This lore decode reveals layers of RE9 most players miss. Cross-reference with character profiles and other deep dives to build the full picture.
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