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Dead Space 3: co-op meets Carver
The majority of Dead Space 3 takes place on a frigid planet that seemingly hides a secret – and plenty of necromorphs.After Isaac's ship crashes on Tau Volantis, he emerges from the wreckage covered in blood, limping through knee-deep snow and a blinding snow storm. Necromorph enemies emerge from beneath the snow's cover when you least expect it, evoking the same tension we first felt in the corridors of the Ishimura.Dead Space 3 aims to throw a lot of new things at you beyond that sense of dread over what's around the next dark corner. You can invite a friend into the game at any time, and upon reaching the next checkpoint or reverting back to the last one, Isaac Clarke is joined by John Carver. He's a foul-mouthed, hostile man with a scarred face and little love for Necromorph disposal.%Gallery-157336%
Dissect seven minutes of Dead Space 3 gameplay
They say misery loves company, so it's only fitting that the most miserable person we know (Isaac Clarke just can't seem to escape them Necromorphs!) now has a partner in Dead Space 3. John Carver is now the Riggs to Clarke's Murtaugh – we hope a mutated Gary Busey ends up being the final boss in Dead Space 3!But we're getting off-track. The above video features over seven minutes of gameplay and – oh, you're not even reading this, are you? You've been watching it for a few minutes now already? Okay then, carry on.%Gallery-157336%
New Dead Space video pops up, signs point to Dead Space 3
Like some errant Necromorph, a new video has suddenly popped up on the Dead Space website. Entitled "Dead Space Graphic Novel Short," the video showcases the story of John Carver, an Earthgov Seargent, as he "witnesses an attack on the Marker Site he guards which changes his life forever." There's also a countdown on the site – coded in Dead Space's alien language – set to expire in six days. Electronic Arts' E3 press conference, meanwhile, is set to take place on Monday, curiously only five days away.Despite the video's title, there's reason to believe this is all tied to Dead Space 3. As noticed by fans on the Dead Space Facebook page, the website's source code contains numerous references to "ds3." The site adds that this is "just the start of John Carver's saga in the Dead Space Universe," implying that something grander than merchandising is on the way. Perhaps Carver is a new protagonist? One way or another, we'll find out next week.
Look at this incredible, fan-made Isaac Clarke figurine
We tried making our own custom figure of Isaac Clarke from Dead Space, but it wound up looking like exactly what it was: a twisted mass of rainbow-colored pipe cleaners. This figure is much, much better.
All clues point to concept art for Visceral's canned Jack the Ripper title
The rumors began in 2009 -- whispers of a game from EA and Visceral based on one of the most notorious serial killers of all time, Jack the Ripper. Visceral was said to be seen hunched over its work table, working on its downloadable title The Ripper and laughing manically until some time in 2010, when the project faded away without a trace.Finally, in 2012, we may have cracked The Ripper wide open. Former Visceral concept artist Joey Spiotto has a batch of concept art for an unnamed game on his website, and it leads to one obvious conclusion -- The Ripper. Spiotto lists work on his LinkedIn profile on an unannounced project for Visceral from 2008-2009, and directly after for EA, where he says the project was canceled in 2009.The screens depict shadowy figures, bloody vampire-esque characters, acrobatics, a leading lady and a cane katana of some kind. Check out the full run of screens on Spiotto's website.
Dead Space 1 and 2 sliced down to $5 on Steam this weekend
Steam has taken the ol' plasma cutter to the price of the Dead Space series, offering one monster of a deal. This weekend you can pick up -- using telekinesis, preferably -- the original Dead Space or Dead Space 2 for five bucks each. You can use the money you've saved for some fresh underpants. You'll need them.
Visceral Melbourne vets form mobile dev 'Playside'
PlaySide is a new mobile-focused Australian studio, founded from the remains of EA's Visceral Melbourne. Former Visceral game designer Gerry Sakkas founded PlaySide with other former staffers of the shuttered studio. PlaySide is looking to begin development of its first game next month. "We are all about making a completely tailored experience for the mobile platform, with the added quality and polish of a console game," Sakkas told Kotaku AU. "Our biggest goals are to create unique and loveable characters and to make a real impact on the mobile games industry." Australia's development scene has definitely taken a turn for the small and scrappy, following the closure or severe downsizing of the mega studios. Even massive publishers like EA are focusing on quality mobile development with Australian developers.
Rumors: Dead Space expands into FPS and flight, Dragon Age goes multiplayer
Kotaku cites an anonymous "insider" on two new rumors regarding two of Electronic Arts' biggest "new" franchises: Dead Space and Dragon Age. Though Dead Space 2 managed to ship over two million units in its first six months of release, EA wants to "make the series bigger and better," says the insider. The plan: A Dead Space first-person shooter, a Dead Space "flight game" and, lastly, a Dead Space "Uncharted-like game." Apparently, that recent EA management shift in August "brought in new brass that nearly killed off Dead Space 3," if this insider is to be believed. But it's not dead and, as previous rumors suggested, Dead Space 3 takes place on ice planet Tau Volantis and will feature co-op. Now for Dragon Age ... this one is good. Kotaku's insider says that, like BioWare's other major RPG brand, Dragon Age will get a multiplayer offering, reportedly powered by DICE's Frostbite 2 engine. This could be part of a future Dragon Age installment, let's call it Dragon Age 3, or a separate downloadable title; the gameplay will be arena-based, and feature both PvE and PvP combat, as well as ... dragons. Because Dragon Age, and all that. Here's our advice, EA: If you want to increase awareness of the Dead Space brand, making games that aren't like Dead Space seems like a poor strategy. Also, a flight game? Are you trying not to sell games? And the problem with Dragon Age isn't a lack of multiplayer. The (extraordinarily) fast turnaround on Dragon Age 2 resulted in a rushed RPG that was dwarfed (and, frankly, embarrassed) by productions like The Witcher 2 and Skyrim (which managed to ship a not-so-shabby seven million units at launch).
Rumor: Writer teases Dante's Inferno sequel
Sharp-eyed rumor hunter @supererogatory brings word that we might not have seen the last of EA's goofy Dante's Inferno franchise, despite the lukewarm reception of the first game. The official bio page for writer Joshua Rubin, who worked on Assassin's Creed 2, says he was "the sole writer for a Major Unannounced Sequel from Visceral Studios at EA Games." Visceral is, of course, the EA label behind the Dead Space series and the first Dante's Inferno. Just to really rile up the rumormongers, Rubin's bio then links to a "hint" ... that leads to the Super Bowl trailer for Dante's Inferno. The obvious implication is that Visceral's working on Dante's Inferno 2, which would be a sequel to an action game based on a 14th-century epic poem. We should probably start thinking up subtitles now. Dante's Back? Hell to Pay? Luciforever? Beatwice? Have at it.
Video reveals 'Blood Dust,' a canned multiplayer shooter from Visceral Melbourne
The use of historical or chronologically irregular locales in multiplayer games still feels novel, even if your activities tend to fall predictably between stabbing or shooting strangers. Visceral's Melbourne studio, which was shuttered by EA earlier this year, was reportedly working on "Blood Dust," an eccentric multiplayer shooter set in the 1930s. According to a report on Kotaku AU -- which we're pairing with leaked game footage above -- Blood Dust was to be a class-based "run and gun experience" for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Visceral and other EA studios had been working on the game for three years, furnishing it with upgradeable weapons and special abilities spread amongst three factions (including gentlemen and gangly monsters). And we just love Ye Olde Hulke Hogan at 0:17 in the video! Another rumor suggests that Blood Dust was initially envisioned as a multiplayer add-on to "The Ripper," Visceral's rumored reinterpretation of England's infamous yet unidentified serial killer, Jack the Ripper. That project supposedly remains alive as a single-player game, left behind in the 19th century (when Jack did his nasty business). Kotaku AU writes that the project's cancellation was handled with enough consideration for its creators -- a source claims departing staff were "well taken care of and treated respectfully," and offered positions at other EA locations. [Thanks, Anon.]
Rumor: Dead Space 3 gets weird in new plot details
Siliconera's mystery mole has provided more details about the premise of Dead Space 3, including one new character whose presence sounds like it will change the tone of the game significantly. We'll put the specifics after the break in the interest of protecting your delicate eyes from (unconfirmed) spoilers, but we're pretty sure this will be a central (read: widely advertised) aspect of this still-unannounced game anyway.
Rumor: Dead Space 3 plot details leaked
There's not much surprise to be found in the rumored existence of another Dead Space sequel, is there? According to purported plot details published by Siliconera, however, you're in for less of a shock and more of a creeping, unshakeable chill. (Dead Space 3 has not been announced, so beware of potential spoilers beyond this point.) According to the site's mole, Dead Space 3 dumps perennially imperiled engineer Isaac Clarke on Tau Volantis, a frigid planet blanketed in snowstorms. Donning a snowsuit (with temperature indicated inconveniently on the back?), he attempts to locate lost friends and other signs of humanity. And we can't imagine a bit of unpleasant weather deterring those despicable necromorphs. The change of location (if accurately reported) sounds intriguing, though we won't hear more until EA decides to announce Dead Space 3 officially. Last we heard, Dead Space 2 had shipped over 2 million copies -- enough to be deemed one of EA's "strong, growing franchises."
EA confirms closure of Visceral Melbourne, reaffirms support for Melbourne-based mobile studios
Following reports last Friday that EA shuttered its Visceral Melbourne studio, the International Game Developer's Association Melbourne tweeted on Sunday, "Confirmation of EA closing Visceral has been received :( our best wishes to the 21 devs now out of a job #EAVisceral." Electronic Arts has finally weighed in on the matter, telling MCV, "With no active project in development at that location, we've decided to close the Visceral Melbourne office. They are talented individuals and may find other roles elsewhere in EA, if they choose." The EA rep added, "EA continues to maintain its mobile studios in Melbourne which are both thriving and hiring." Those studios include the recently acquired Firemint, makers of Flight Control and Real Racing, and Iron Monkey Studios, the team behind the excellent Dead Space for iOS and Xperia Play. Of course, this follows just weeks after LA Noire developers Team Bondi entered administration, a month after THQ shuttered two Australian studios, and less than a year after Krome severely downsized. We'll pour a Foster's out for you, Australian game devs.
Pre-order Battlefield 3 on Origin, get Dead Space 2 for free
That free game that Origin is offering for a Battlefield 3 pre-order? It's totally Dead Space 2! So now on top of early beta access and a host of DLC, EA is offering even more incentive by offering a great game. Of course, there's a catch: there's only a limited number of copies of Dead Space 2 available. It's really silly, considering the free copy is a download. What's the matter, EA? No more storage space in the old digital warehouse? If you want to go with Origin, you've got until September 19 to pre-order Battlefield 3 for your free ticket to the nightmarish space-romp.
Report: EA closing Visceral Melbourne on Monday
Electronic Arts' Visceral Studios in Melbourne will reportedly shut down this Monday. Kotaku reports that it has a source claiming as much, and the IGDA chapter in Melbourne is "happy to help all affected" in any way it can. The Age's Screen Play Blog is hearing the same rumors. Kotaku's source states Patrick Soderland of DICE, now a VP at EA's Games Label, decided the console game the team had been working on for the past few years wouldn't be profitable and pulled the plug on the project and studio. EA Visceral Melbourne assisted on Dead Space, Godfather 2 and Dante's Inferno. We've contacted the publisher for comment.
Ex-Battlefield lead Gordon Van Dyke joins Paradox Interactive as senior producer
After exiting the dev battlefield of DICE back in 2010, Gordon Van Dyke recently left his second EA gig at Visceral Games in favor of a different Swedish game company: Paradox Interactive. Before wild accusations start flying, know that his reason for leaving was rather heartwarming. "During my time back in California [with Visceral], I married my girlfriend from Sweden and we had a baby. We decided it was best to raise her in Sweden," Van Dyke told Joystiq this afternoon. In the process of moving, a friend of Paradox CEO Fred Wester put he and Gordon in contact. The rest is Swedish history. "I got an email from a friend introducing me to Gordon. Two days later he was hired," Wester explained of his rapid hiring process. Van Dyke, unsurprisingly, had nothing but nice things to say about his new employer, explaining that the studio "offers me more room to explore, take risk, and work on creative niche IPs."
Dead Space 2 adding free multiplayer maps
EA is adding two new multiplayer maps for free to Dead Space 2 in a couple weeks. The "Outbreak Map Pack," which includes The Academy and The Concourse, will send players back to survive multiplayer evisceration in The Sprawl on May 31 and June 3 for Xbox 360 and PS3, respectively. The sci-fi horror sequel has done well for EA, shipping over 2 million units and the DS2:Severed DLC mentioned as a digital sales highlight for the publisher. EA makes no mention of the Outbreak Map Pack for the PC version of the game.
Dead Space series' price dismembered on Steam
Steam's week of Electronic Arts franchise discounts continues today with big reductions on the prices of its interstellar Necromorph surgery series. If you've never indulged in Dead Space or Dead Space 2, you can grab both on Steam for $4.99 and $23.99, respectively.
EA Store offers scary good discount on Dead Space series for PC
The EA Store has taken a plasma cutter to the price of the Dead Space series. The downloadable PC versions of Dead Space and Dead Space 2 can be had for $12 and $24, respectively. The sale runs through Sunday, at which point prices will regenerate to their more terrifying original forms.
Replica Dead Space plasma cutter filled with deadly lasers
Is your interplanetary mining platform infested with swarms of horrific, mutated Necromorphs? We've got nothing for you, sadly. However, if it's filled with swarms of helpless balloons, YouTube user Kipkay's got the tool you need: a super-powered replica Dead Space 2 plasma cutter.
