GDC09: A look at Dead Space's renegade roots

by Jason Dobson { Mar 30th 2009 at 9:00AM }

A good 18 months before Electronic Arts even agreed to publish 2008's survival-horror hit, Dead Space, developers at EA Redwood Shores were working on the title. That's just what renegades do. During a presentation at last week's GDC (via Gamespot), senior producer Chuck Beaver pointed out how his maverick team of developers took a decidedly different approach to game design, one involving dusting off old hardware and "an aggressive internal PR campaign."

He noted that early in the game's development EA was interested in investing in original properties, though it wasn't exactly sold on the idea. However, from the time Dead Space was pitched in 2006, Beaver and his team worked on the project as if it was already a done deal. With minimal resources they concentrated on "putting pixels on the screen," tossing out EA's game development playbook in the process. While Dead Space was always positioned as a current-gen title, the team instead prototyped a single level from the game on the original Xbox in order to sell EA on the concept before an engine was even available. Besides, who has time to make an engine when there are limbs to be shaved off? Priorities, people!

Tags: dead-space, ea, electronic-arts, gdc-2009, renegade

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

DaveMcRae @ Mar 30th 2009 9:10AM

It's a shame that game sold so few copies

Bac0nator @ Mar 30th 2009 9:13AM

One of my favorite if not my favorite game of 2008. The gameplay/atmosphere/story meshed together so well, creeped me out everytime I played it.

ToRo @ Mar 30th 2009 9:18AM

Although not the scariest game I've played this gen, (Condemed criminal origins wins that one) Dead Space is still my favorite survival horror game of all time.

Mister Bogus (Mr. ESC) @ Mar 30th 2009 12:40PM

Condemned 2 was fantastic too but like Darkness everyone stopped playing it online very quickly.I never got the online achievements for that reason.

Dead Space was also one of my favorite games but the animated movie was an insult.

Gemini Ace @ Mar 30th 2009 9:34AM

Chuck Beaver? LOL!

Misfit Toy @ Mar 30th 2009 9:34AM

Judging by just the few short comments here already it is obvious that it has some critical success. And although it didn't sell millions, I'm pretty sure it broke the 1 million mark. That used to be an indicator of a hit. Nowadays its like...it "only" sold a million.

Add my name to the 'me too' list of liking this game. Finished it and thought it did a great job on atmosphere. I'm glad it wasn't any scarier than it was. I probably would enjoy it less actually. Just the right amount I thought.

Twisted Name @ Mar 30th 2009 9:43AM

it was ace. best horror type game id played in a long time. then playing through it again on the hardest setting was even better! well except for when i ran out of bullets! good game, hope theres another one

Maulok @ Mar 30th 2009 10:17AM

I just finished the game a few weeks ago, and it ruined me for RE5. This game has atmosphere, action, and some real scares. The first time a monster snuck up behind me in the silence of space, I almost made a mess in my pants! I want more Isaac in 2009!

ObiBen @ Mar 30th 2009 10:18AM

I just finished this game and I loved it! I'm glad this team to the initiative to get this game made. Can't wait for the sequel, and yes I will check out Dead Space Extraction on the Wii.

Lookhappy @ Mar 30th 2009 11:05AM

sweet! Haven't managed to get my hands on this game yet but it's definately on my list

Bahamut44-4 @ Mar 30th 2009 11:07AM

Awesome, awesome game. Probably my fav last year together with BioShock.

Highly considering the purchase of a Wii purely on the basis of Extraction.

Lee @ Mar 30th 2009 1:27PM

Don't be a fool man!

Chris Are @ Mar 30th 2009 1:35PM

No you gotta believe! Support the franchise so they'll make a (real) sequel or tell a different story in the Dead Space line. I'll definitely be picking up Extraction, but my expectations are lowered considerably. Kind of the difference between a console Zelda and a handheld Zelda.

guinness1759 @ Mar 30th 2009 11:41AM

It spends more time in my console than anything else does. As soon as I finish whatever game I just bought, boom, this pops back in for another go around.

guinness1759 @ Mar 30th 2009 11:42AM

It spends more time in my console than anything else does. As soon as I finish whatever game I just bought, boom, this pops back in for another go around.

guinness1759 @ Mar 30th 2009 11:47AM

oops. sorry for the double post. Wait, no,the game really is that good! I just hope that #2 comes out soon and is as good or better and I'm eyeballing Extraction as well. It's be my first new game for that console in 2 years.

hitechh8 @ Mar 30th 2009 12:17PM

Dead Space is the best survival horror game ever made. Like Maulok, it turned RE5 from a day one purchase to a eh I will get around to it. I'm currently on level 10 impossible and plan to play it through one more time. I'm a bit ashamed that I bought it second hand, but plan to purchase the DLC tank suit to help with the overall numbers. Dead Space 2 is a day one purchase for me.