I definitely wouldn't mind having the characters retire or die in a heroic way. But this need to whore out too many sequels is crazy. It's why RE has stopped being survival horror, and while the games are still good, I do miss how they used to be more tension filled.
They could still maybe use them in cameos, like how Chris came on the chopper to help Ethan. You see, RE7 was a good start, and while I don't think it quite has all the bells and whistles of what I love, it was a good effort. I'd love to see new, ordinary type characters. Not just military or law enforcement kinds.
But the next time this happens, I really don't want to find out they've been hiding his or her face, even in the third person perspective.