The Ooze (meaning "dripping thing") were male humans infected with the new t-Abyss virus - an altered version of the Progenitor Virus which was designed to be a similar, but not exact copy of Umbrella Corporations
t-Virus. The main component which was altered was the inclusion of the Abyss retrovirus which could allow its host to purge all water content from the body at will, as well as control the level of fat. This allowed the Ooze to change it's physical proportions to better suit its attacks.
Interestingly, only males infected with t-Abyss would become Ooze - any female which were infected transformed into other things such as the Sea
Creeper. It's assumed that the t-Abyss virus responds differently depending on the DNA and the hormone levels of the host.
Named after the substance that they coat their bodies in, the Ooze were experimental B.O.W.s (Bio-Organic Weapons), created to see what changed after infection. The result was a bloated monster with a relatively unchanged stature. They moved quite haphazardly because of the lack of grip on their feet, as well as the suppleness of their form. Their skin appeared to be quite smooth and lacking in elasticity, almost blubbery.
The most mutated part of their bodies would be their heads - they no longer had a discernible human face, but rather a monstrous maw with very long, sharp teeth. Their heads were split down the middle which revealed a lamprey-esque organ which they used to attach to their victims and literally absorb all moisture from them. Unlike most creatures such as Zombies, they do not have a taste for flesh - they feed on bodily liquids (including blood) only.
They also had the aforementioned ability to change the water and fat content of their bodies, which allowed them to become thin and flat for short periods, allowing them to slip through small gaps - perfect for either an ambush or a head-on engagement.
After time, Ooze were known to mutate into more advanced forms, such as the Pincer, the Tricorne and the Chunk. While the majority of these mutations earned them more abilities, some reduced them to more basic forms. It is not known what exactly triggers these mutations, but it is again assumed that the t-Abyss virus will mutate the body depending on DNA characteristics, hormone levels and the general condition of the host. It is also theorised that the Ooze's 'final form' is the Globster - although this has not been observed scientifically.
Interestingly, the Ooze is not referred to as such in the game. It wasn't until the name was revealed by Jessica Sherawat, after the game - in a Japanese-exclusive DVD video where she provides a detailed report to TRICELL's
Excella Gionne, explaining past B.O.W.s such as the
Nemesis T-Type, then the t-Abyss virus creatures.
