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Dead Space 2 DLC 'Severed' adds two single-player chapters, brings back DSG
While Dead Space 2 has only been on retail shelves for about ... oh, a couple hours, that hasn't stopped EA from announcing more Dead Space 2 in the form of "an all-new digital download pack that extends the Dead Space 2 story with the addition of two standalone chapters in the single-player game." Most notably, "Dead Space 2: Severed" features the return of some nobody named Gabe Weller and ... Lexine "Dead Space Girl" Murdoch! Some of you may recall a certain blog's fondness for DSG ... we still remember seeing her for the first time (and haven't gotten her out of our heads since). The only other details we have on Severed include a release window of "soon" for both the Xbox 360 and PS3. And yes, PC gamers, we realize that means your platform of choice isn't included and, since we wouldn't want anyone to miss out on an opportunity to be reunited with Ms. Murdoch, we've asked the publisher to clarify what's going on. [Update: An EA rep got back to VG247 and said, simply, "Dead Space 2: Severed will not be available on the PC." So, we guess that's that?]
Dead Space marked down 66 percent on Steam this weekend
Are you hoping to get caught up on the events of Dead Space before its sequel drops next week? Okay, then: A whole bunch of people got murdered by monsters in space. Oh, you wanted something a bit more comprehensive? Well, then, you should grab the game on Steam at 66 percent off this weekend.
PS3 Dead Space Extraction explained on video
If our preview of the PS3 version of Dead Space Extraction was too stationary for you, PlayStation Blog has posted a new video interview with producer Zach Mumbach. The interview briefly touches on the improved visuals, which Mumbach notes are now "full HD." It also explains the new Move controls, which obviate the need for the Wii version's Nunchuk, leaving your other hand free to recoil in terror. Head over to PlayStation Blog to see it for yourself.
Dead Space 2 launch trailer has very nice things to say about Dead Space 2
We're T-minus 12 days and counting until the launch of Dead Space 2. In what is probably a last marketing hurrah before it ships, EA has released new footage from the sci-fi horror title featuring protagonist Isaac Clarke coming face-to-typeface with giant quotes from glowing reviews of the game.
Dead Space save file unlocks original plasma cutter in Dead Space 2
Here's a nice bonus for fans of the original Dead Space. If you have any save file -- completed or not -- from the first title, you'll unlock the original plasma cutter right off the bat for use in the upcoming sequel. Hardcore players should be more than familiar with the gun, thanks to an Achievement that forces players to complete an entire playthrough using only that gun. But don't expect the plasma cutter to give you much of an advantage at the beginning of the Dead Space 2 campaign. Although you'll get access to the gun, Visceral Games' Louis Gascoigne told us that the upgrades you purchased for the weapon won't carry over into the sequel. Isaac Clarke just can't get a break, can he?
PSA: Dead Space 2 demo ready for strategic dismemberment on Xbox Live
As promised, the single-player demo for Visceral Games' upcoming Dead Space 2 has made contact today and is now available on Xbox Live, a full five weeks before its late January retail release. PS3 owner? We'll update this post when the PlayStation Network release is available later today.
Dead Space Aftermath trailer is gory beyond belief
Man, if you thought Dead Space was gory, wait until you see its next cartoon adaptation. Yes, that's kind of a weird statement, but after watching this Dead Space Aftermath trailer -- which has an astonishing murders-per-second ratio -- we feel like it's accurate enough.
Video: The Sprawling horror of Dead Space 2
You'd think life on a space station would be pretty neat. Pristine walkways, star-filled views and, of course, all the replicated food you can eat. Unfortunately, life on the Sprawl is about to get brutish, terrifying, and kind of gross. See what we mean in the latest trailer for Dead Space 2.
Dead Space 2 videos offer a closer look at Isaac, multiplayer
That Dead Space 2 multiplayer beta preview not enough for you? Tough, you've got to wait until January 25 until you can play more, but we've got the next best thing to tide you over: new footage. Vault past the break and check out three (count 'em, three) all-new videos.
Dead Space 2 'Ring Around the Rosie' trailer
It's a proven scientific fact: Nursery rhymes are creepy. As evidence of this undeniable truth, we present this trailer for Dead Space 2, which uses a twisted version of "Ring Around the Rosie" as its backing track. It's almost enough to make you forget how scary the actual game looks. Almost.
Dead Space 2 carves out a Halloween message
The Dead Space 2 trailer posted after the jump -- which seems to be a holiday special -- will only be terrifying if you are, in fact, a pumpkin. If that's the case, how will you play Dead Space 2 without hands, pumpkin? Wait, how did you navigate to this website? We have so many questions for you.
Next Command and Conquer in production under Visceral label
Next time out, the Command & Conquer franchise will be more Visceral. Although the game, according to EA's Visceral Games label GM Nick Earl, is still "pretty far out," it will be part of the publisher's strategy to expand the Visceral studio as a brand. Earl detailed the multi-studio Visceral branding in a recent interview with Gamasutra, which would explain why the EA Redwood Shores studio that became Visceral has been working on several projects. The Visceral label is a collaboration of EA in the States, the "art-focused" Shanghai studio, EA Montreal and a team in Melbourne, Australia. Earl said, "We're not outsourcing or insourcing -- we really look at it as collaborative development, where everyone is on equal playing ground." Dead Space 2 will be an indication of the result achieved through this new Visceral process.
Dead Space 2, Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit and more coming to iOS
EA is bringing some of its biggest properties to iOS, the company revealed during a recent presentation at the Apple Store in Ginza, Tokyo. Aside from the numerous titles already revealed last week, EA is currently working on ports of Dead Space 2, Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, and even an ad-supported, subscription-optional version of Pogo, the company's casual online games portal. There will also be an EA Active presence on Apple's devices, as well as a version of Monopoly. Also, the other properties EA has lined up include an adaptation of the board game Pictureka! and a new racer called Reckless -- formerly known as Deliverace. If you're wondering, "Why the name change?" then clearly you've never spent time on the Cahulawassee River. Nobody wants to be reminded of that "vacation." For images of some of these newly-revealed games, head on over to 4Gamer.
Dead Space 2 collector's edition with replica plasma cutter leaked [update: it's official!]
According to a (since removed) image found on Amazon and now posted on Examiner, the collector's edition of Dead Space 2 will include a life-size toy Plasma Cutter, in addition to a soundtrack CD, a DLC voucher, and a piece of artwork. EA announced its intention to produce a collector's edition for the sequel way back in January, when it sought ideas for pack-in items from fans. The plasma cutter happened to be on the list even then -- and we called it "outrageous." Being a sort-of leaked item, EA hasn't officially announced its existence, and thus no information about its price is known. Update: EA has announced the Collector's Edition -- for the UK, at least. The plasma cutter is only packed with the Xbox 360 and PC versions, while the PS3 version includes Dead Space Extraction. Update 2: EA announced it for North America as well -- with no mention of platform exclusivity for the plasma cutter. [Thanks, DarkKainDrg]
Visceral Games' Zach Mumbach on Visceral's development culture, autonomy within EA
Though we were shocked to hear it, the folks working on the Dead Space franchise at Visceral Games are apparently the same folks who developed Dante's Inferno. The seeming disparity in development ideals can be chocked up to two things, according to associate producer Zach Mumbach: different creative leads from project to project, and the studio's relative autonomy within EA. If it weren't for that autonomy, Dante's Inferno may have never come to be. "There's always side teams that are maybe 10 or 15 people that are working on ideas. And honestly that's how Dante's Inferno came to exist. Jonathan Knight [executive producer] took a team of roughly seven dudes and they were like, 'Hey, this is cool, let's see if we can make this,'" Mumbach explained to us last week in the basement of a swanky midtown NYC club.
Dead Space Ignition confirmed for October 13 on XBLA
If an interactive motion comic sounds like something you could get into, then you'll likely be interested in this tidbit of news: Dead Space Ignition, the prequel to January's Dead Space 2, is set to launch on XBLA next week, October 13, for 400 MS Points ($5). The news comes via Xbox Live's Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb -- we've contacted EA for clarification on a PSN price and launch date, which we assume will be the 12th, because the PlayStation Network usually gets the stuff on Tuesdays. In the meanwhile, be sure to check out our preview of the prequel if you're looking for more. Or don't. No pressure! %Gallery-97880%
Watch our Dead Space 2 multiplayer preview
Some folks are playing the Dead Space 2 multiplayer beta on PS3 this very instant. Clearly, you're not one of them. Maybe you've just got it on pause. Or maybe you didn't get into the beta .... or have been simply too lazy to input the code to download it. Maybe you don't even own a PS3. Whatever your excuse, we invite you to check out our video preview of the game's multiplayer mode (captured from the beta) -- just past the break. Remember: Knowledge is your best weapon against the Necromorph scourge. Plasma Cutters are a close second.
Dead Space 2 multiplayer beta invites going out to PS3 fans
Check your inboxes! Select Dead Space 2 fans have been "hand selected" for a closed multiplayer beta. Scott Probst, Multiplayer Producer, explains in the invite e-mail: "We have just launched a small beta which will help us polish the game, and we have selected you to help us achieve that goal! We are still several months away from the game's release, and there is still plenty of work to be done prior to shipping the game." In addition to a PSN voucher, the invite e-mail includes a link to a forum for participants to offer feedback. Unfortunately, the e-mail doesn't detail how participants were selected. The invites appear to be targeted to members of EA's online community, with no regards to PlayStation Plus. We'll update this post if EA can offer us any more details. [Thanks, G.L.!]
Dead Space 2 multiplayer preview: Live together, die alone
One thing that hurt sales of the first Dead Space was its lack of multiplayer. EA had to add something to Dead Space 2, and last week I got at taste of that multiplayer. It's a 4-on-4 objective-based mode where four engineers team up to locate pieces of a bomb and bring it back to a central location. Once the bomb is detonated, a door out of the level is revealed and the human players can escape. The other side is the Necromorphs, whose only goal is to kill the humans. %Gallery-101923%
Dead Space 2 multiplayer video is to die for
The rumors are true! Dead Space 2 has a multiplayer mode, and you can see what it looks like in the trailer after the break. Want to know more? Check out our hands-on preview!
