Hell is a major draw for Dante's Inferno

by JC Fletcher { Aug 27th 2009 at 10:59AM }

If you thought the baffling marketing tactics for Dante's Inferno were limited to PR stunts, you may be surprised at this quote from EA Games president Frank Gibeau. "I think when you look at Dante's Inferno you start with something that everybody has some knowledge of, which is Hell," Gibeau told GamesIndustry.biz, "and the idea that you go into Hell as a hero and fight demons ... that's something that resonates with a lot of people."

That's right. One of the most appealing parts of the game ... is Hell. Specifically, "going to Hell and fighting," but Hell nonetheless. We have "some knowledge" of a lot of unpleasant places, like the little closet our water heater occupies, but we aren't necessarily clamoring for games in those settings.

Both the interviewer and Gibeau also refer to Dante's Inferno as "new IP," which seems inaccurate to us, considering that The Divine Comedy's original street date was sometime in the early 1300s.

Gallery: Dante's Inferno (E3 2009)

Tags: dantes-inferno, ea, frank-gibeau

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Storm Eagle [Resident Capcom Megafan] @ Aug 27th 2009 11:01AM

This game scares the crap out of me.

And that's a positive thing. Day 1 for sure.

Evildude @ Aug 27th 2009 11:06AM

agreed

whylekat @ Aug 27th 2009 11:13AM

Damn fellas, really??

I dunno, looks like a sub-par snore-a-thon to me.

But all right.. I'll give it another shot and watch these preview vids u mentioned on my post.

Nox @ Aug 27th 2009 11:46AM

The setting is only reason i'm interested in this, Visceral games know how to do messed up.

robotoid @ Aug 27th 2009 3:16PM

Me too. I can't wait to play it and be grossed out and scared and excited.

SpydaKat 17 @ Aug 27th 2009 6:27PM

I agree. They did a great job with Dead Space so I'll be happy to give them my money again.

Jack_Jackington @ Aug 27th 2009 11:01AM

hell no we won't go... to hell

whylekat @ Aug 27th 2009 11:43AM

GWAR vacations in hell!

Damian @ Aug 27th 2009 11:02AM

I say do da skit.

whylekat @ Aug 27th 2009 11:03AM

This game looks so terrible. I'm sure there's reserved seating in hell for whomever gave this medicore title the greenlight.

Storm Eagle [Resident Capcom Megafan] @ Aug 27th 2009 11:10AM

Protip:

Because you OBVIOUSLY haven't watched the videos of this game due to age restricition lock-outs....just put in January 1st 1900....it doesn't know you're really not 109! Then behold the awesomeness of this game.

whylekat @ Aug 27th 2009 11:15AM

Hahaha I'm old enough thanks =P

I'll check 'em tonight.

the Sawyer family @ Aug 27th 2009 11:03AM

hear the piercing cries of all who found out HELL AWAITS

balzzi @ Aug 27th 2009 11:07AM

ballz

sicsided @ Aug 27th 2009 11:09AM

Does anyone remember the Dante's Inferno game from like 2003 or so that Activision was publishing? It got cancelled I believe after the public had a dispute with the first level being a concentration camp representing Limbo. Anyone remember the name of it or have any links to screen shots?

Velocifaptor @ Aug 27th 2009 11:17AM

Found it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_Nukem_Forever

derek @ Aug 27th 2009 11:47AM

Has anybody read the book? It puts an interesting complexity to Hell that fit's PERFECTLY into a video game format. If the programmers use the source material at all (and use it right)then this should be a fun game to play.

Yaanu @ Aug 27th 2009 7:43PM

BWAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHA
HHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHA
HAHAAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA
AHAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHH

I wish.

Fane @ Aug 28th 2009 1:48AM

Did you actually read the poem? This game is a gross perversion of a masterpiece. And a GOW clone.

Duke @ Aug 27th 2009 11:23AM

Hopefully this game will get the attention, because I dunno about their follow-ups of going through purgatory and heaven and killing everything. Just don't think that will go over as well for folks.

Neuromancer @ Aug 27th 2009 11:25AM

*rests head in hands, sighs*

Dirty @ Aug 27th 2009 11:30AM

I would rather go to heaven and have a pillow fight with angels.... Victoria secret angels. Can we make a game about that?

whylekat @ Aug 27th 2009 11:35AM

They did overseas. It's called RapePlay.

Dirty @ Aug 27th 2009 11:48AM

Misframed @ Aug 27th 2009 12:13PM

"Dante's Water Heater Closet" confirmed? Releasing Q1 2010?

Ghede @ Aug 27th 2009 3:46PM

I would so play that. Beating the crap out of demonic water heater. Except it heats blood, because it's demonic. The closet would be in the 5.3rd circle of hell, "Late Plumbers"

Zoot Suit Jedi @ Aug 27th 2009 12:16PM

Hell? I'm sorry, but that looks nothing like my cubicle.

Misframed @ Aug 27th 2009 12:18PM

Yeah, but think how far the water cooler is from Hell...

bak @ Aug 27th 2009 1:17PM

If they stay close to the source material it could be great. If they go all over-the-top shock-value here/shock-value there, then it will just be a gets-old-quick generic monster fighter. Hell should be terrible - but I'm hoping for deep, unsettling, and thought-provoking too. No monster-closets please :)

TittieSprinkles @ Aug 27th 2009 2:10PM

EA can go burn in hell

harma41 @ Aug 27th 2009 2:13PM

He'll works for me too! Day one purchase.

robotoid @ Aug 27th 2009 3:27PM

If this game is trying to be 100% accurate, now we know the final boss is Bobby Kotick.

wamerocity (PSN: wamerocity) @ Aug 27th 2009 4:29PM

If only there was a way that you could defeat the armies of hell with Kenny and a Golden PSP. THAT would be the greatest game ever...

TomCo @ Aug 27th 2009 7:09PM

No, Dante. You are the Kratos.
And then Dante was a God of War clone.

Boxer @ Aug 28th 2009 10:44PM

I'm glad a company finally has the wherewithal to explore the Cantos in which Dante describes how he suited up and killed demons.

Except there aren't any. I think he and Virgil sneak past some demons in the Eighth Circle, and Medusa tries to pick a fight in the Fifth Circle, but...hey, there's a dollar.