Joystiq

EA inks talent agency deal, more game movies coming

Jason Dobson — 2008-07-23T09:20:00+00:00

In a season of Hollywood blockbusters, it's no wonder why Electronic Arts would want to sink its teeth into the movie industry's delicious celluloid pie. This morning the company announced that it signed with talent and literary agency, UTA, to help catapult its properties onto the silver screen.

EA currently has a movie deal in the works for The Sims, as well as plans to bring an animated version of MySims to TV. In addition, earlier this year EA signed a deal with Starz Media to develop an animated prequel to Dead Space, as well as other unspecified franchises. But that's just the tip of the iceberg, as EA notes that this new deal will "significantly ramp up" efforts to bring its IP to other forms of entertainment, such as movies and television, as well as online, print, and social networks. With some of these projects likely to surface this week in San Diego during Comic-Con, are there any EA properties you could see yourself sitting through with a bucket of popcorn in your lap?

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Scared stiff: Why should we care about Dead Space?

Jason Dobson — 2008-06-24T08:20:00+00:00

Filed under: Features, Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Action, Interviews

Looking one part System Shock and another part Event Horizon, Electronic Arts' Dead Space is another of 2008's most eagerly anticipated experiments with freaking us right out. In development by a "renegade" team of devs at EA Redwood Shores, the game represents one of the few truly original offerings from a company that has rightfully earned a dubious reputation for recycling IP.

However, if our interest was piqued by the sci-fi survival horror romp through outer space, it completely pales to EA's own enthusiasm for the project, which has seen Dead Space cast in both comics as well as an upcoming animated prequel in the run up to the game's release this Halloween. But EA throwing money at a game to keep it in the news is hardly surprising, so we spoke with executive producer Glen Schofield about the project, asking him point blank why we should care about a game that, as he tells it, is about "a normal guy in a horrible situation."

Gallery: Dead Space

Schofield, whose fave survival horror titles include the original Silent Hill ("it was so fresh and creepy") and Resident Evil 4 ("it really wasn't scary to me, but it was tense"), came right out when asked what makes Dead Space special, telling us that his team's project has "a very different look than most [survival horror games]."

"Silent Hill 1 was scary. The setting, the fog, the enemies and the static on the radio just creeped the hell out of me," he recalled. "I loved that experience. It's that creepy experience that we went for in Dead Space." He added: "In general I'm a huge sci-fi and horror fan. I'll play them all. I love this genre and Dead Space is the game I've always wanted to make."

"Silent Hill 1 was scary...It's that creepy experience that we went for in Dead Space."

While he may be a fan of sci-fi and horror, the same cannot be said for his feelings toward on-screen displays, as Dead Space forsakes any sort of HUD in favor of immersing the player in the story. Said Schofield: "No HUD, no cut scenes. Everything is designed to keep you in the moment and make you feel like you're really there." Here the game reminds us of another survival horror favorite around the office, Headfirst's Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth, giving us yet another reason to remain excited for Dead Space.

Also helping feed Dead Space's immersive quality will be the game's audio, which Schofield called "world class," adding that it "will make everyone jump" in places. "We have spent so much time studying horror movies and games, what works, what doesn't and taken up the challenge to make a truly scary game," he said.

The exec also waxed poetic over his project's "new and different" mechanics, noting that they "feed into the mood perfectly." Of these, Schofield spoke most openly about the game's recently revealed concept of "strategic dismemberment," which promises to let players tear opponents literally limb from limb.

"We have spent so much time studying horror movies and games...and taken up the challenge to make a truly scary game."

"You're leaving a pile of limbs and pieces behind you wherever you go," he explained. "We've spent so much time on this-- the blood, the sound and just the plain horror of dismemberment."

But is Dead Space scary, or just gory? If Schofield is to be believed, it's both, thanks in no small part to an ensemble cast of "extremely unique and horrifying" monsters that inhabit the Ishimura, the derelict vessel which acts as the game's stage. Noted Schofield, "These creatures have some pretty wild behaviors that make for a number of scary and crazy encounters."

Summing up, he expressed belief that the company has "brought a new and unique experience to the survival horror genre." The exec's enthusiasm for the project is infectious, and it's difficult not to share his fervor, though with so much emphasis placed on the game's brutal hack-and-slash gameplay we hope that Dead Space won't disintegrate into an overplayed gimmick in its pursuit of cheap scares.

Tomorrow we'll continue our look at 2008's scare tactics, this time turning our gaze back down to earth and into the fog as we return home to Silent Hill.

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Dead Space loses limbs thanks to 'Strategic Dismemberment'

Jason Dobson — 2008-06-23T21:29:00+00:00

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Action

Life aboard the Ishimura is rough. The food is lousy, the company's worse, and the endless screams make it just impossible to get a good night's sleep. While some might deal with these issues by writing a letter or turning to pills, spaceship engineer Isaac Clarke, the protagonist in EA's Dead Space, has decided to take care of things his own way -- by cutting anything in his path to ribbons.

EA has released this new gameplay video demonstrating Clarke's unique way of getting things done using a method referred to by Dead Space executive producer, Glen Schofield, as "strategic dismemberment." It's a fancy term for taking enemies apart "limb by limb." As Clarke slices and dices the Ishimura's resident nasties, called Necromorphs, Schofield notes that they will continue to fight back in true Ninja Gaiden II style, sometimes requiring more creative weapons like the stasis or telekinesis guns. Dead Space is shaping up to be one of this Fall's more interesting releases -- we're looking forward to gutting our way through Necromorph hordes this Halloween.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

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EA, Starz Media partner for Dead Space animated prequel

Jason Dobson — 2008-03-21T09:40:00+00:00

Filed under: Culture, Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Action

First comics and now cartoons, Electronic Arts isn't taking any chances that its upcoming space-meets-survival horror title Dead Space will go unnoticed when it drops this Halloween. The latest effort comes by way of a partnership with film company Starz Media for an animated prequel, which according to EA will pick up the story from the last page of the comic book and cover the events up the beginning of the game itself.

Starz Media is apparently in talks with unspecified networks to air the animated feature this Halloween, while a DVD release is also planned as well. Showing considerable hope for the project, or perhaps just being blinded by dollar signs, the pair have also cemented plans for further animation projects centered on two other EA franchises, but which ones? Inquiring minds want to know.

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Whew, Dead Space will let you pause after all

Jason Dobson — 2008-03-12T11:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Action

Players will be able to answer nature's call -- or any call for that matter -- in EA's upcoming survival horror title Dead Space. While an earlier report noted that the devs were considering dropping the ability to pause from the game altogether, EA's Glen Schofield has clarified things, stating that while Dead Space will let you pause the action and take a breather, inventory management will be left to the throes of real-time.

The executive producer told Stephen Totilo of MTV's Multiplayer blog that since combat in Dead Space is "happening live and in real time," players won't be able to pause their game to heal, reload, or write home while being gnawed on by whatever nasties the devs have cooked up. Noted Schofield, "You better ammo up before you begin your fight. Because you can't really be safe." Honestly, inventory we can handle; it was the fear of having to visit a urologist after having to hold it for too long that truly kept us awake at night.

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Dead Space to haunt players this Halloween

Jason Dobson — 2008-02-26T11:27:00+00:00

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Action

Electronic Arts has finalized an appropriate release date for its upcoming survival horror title Dead Space, announcing that the game will keep players in both North America and Europe oxygen-deprived starting this Halloween, October 31. If there was ever a reason for cosplayers to pore over the Sears catalog for toasters to affix to their heads this haunting season, this game is it.

The game is currently in development for the Xbox 360 and PS3, and promises a "chilling, claustrophobic feeling of being isolated in a dark environment." EA also notes that Dead Space will force players to face down alien horrors not as a hulking superman but rather as a lowly engineer, though if history has taught us one thing, it's to not underestimate the little guy.

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Dead Space comic debuts at WonderCon, cover weirds us out

Jason Dobson — 2008-02-21T13:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Culture, PC, Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Action, Adventure

We've known of EA's collaboration with Image for a comic book miniseries based on Dead Space for some time, though like the game itself any news beyond knowledge that something is coming has been scarce. Now EA has confirmed new details surrounding the project, noting that the six-part comic series will be penned by Wasteland's Antony Johnston and feature the unmistakable art of Ben Templesmith, best known for his work on Image Comics' own Fell.

As noted earlier, the comics will serve as a prequel to EA's nonstop scare-a-thon, which is expected to keep us playing from beneath the safety of our blankets when it drops this fall for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. We're unsure if the comics will have a similar effect on our psyche, though the above image taken from a limited edition version of the first issue creeps us right out. Just look at his eyes. He knows something. This special edition of the first issue will be given away at this week's WonderCon in San Francisco, while the series will begin showing up at your comic store of choice this March. In the meantime, if you need us, we'll be under the couch where it's safe.

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New Dead Space details, including (surprise!) sequel possibilities

Ross Miller — 2008-01-16T19:30:00+00:00

Filed under: PC, Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Action, Adventure

Sure, Dead Space isn't out yet, but given its business-savvy publisher (Electronic Arts), talk of sequels is inevitable. Speaking to EuroGamer Germany, executive producer Glen Schofield explained how he envisioned the game as a franchise. "I'd love for this to become a well established franchise; we've created a huge and rich back story and universe, so other games could easily be made."

New details about the survival-horror game were also revealed. You play spaceship engineer Isaac Clarke, who stumbles upon space zombies on a routine mining vessel call. Your goal is to survive, rescue survivors, and probably kill monsters while you're at it. Schofield said that the game will feature in-game cutscenes (à la Half-Life) and upgradeable weapons and skill trees (à la BioShock). He also said that there will not be a cluttered HUD to distract immersion, which leads us to believe it might have something to do with those lights on the backpack seen in the concept art (pictured).

Schofield mentioned downloadable content, which is reportedly under way for the game (here's an idea: put that content in the game now and work on DLC after it goes gold). Dead Space, with fun hyperboles like "scariest video game ever," is expected this fall for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC.

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Dead Space comic coming in March

Justin McElroy — 2007-12-21T08:35:00+00:00

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Action, Adventure

We are so excited for Dead Space. It's going to be so awesome that we're sure when it's released, even our strongest hyperbole will fail to describe its greatness, even though we don't technically know ~~anything~~ much about it. So, how are we so sure it will be great? Well, for starters, Mr. Smarty Pants, we've seen a trailer that made the game look amazing. How would that be possible if the game itself wasn't amazing? It wouldn't, that's how. Also, EA said it was "brilliant, bold and often bloody." They're making the game! Don't you think they'd know?

Finally we have Exhibit C: Image Comics is going to be turning Dead Space into a six-part comic miniseries. It's coming in March and it's a prequel, which means that there's so much good story, they couldn't even fit it all into the game! Awesome! Well, that's all for now, we'll be sure to keep updating you on why Dead Space is awesome as soon as we ... you know, learn something about it.

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Dead Space trailer the result of derelict vessels

Ludwig Kietzmann — 2007-10-29T14:01:00+00:00

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Video

Though science fiction is often optimistic about mankind's mastery of technology, it rarely doles out the same assurances when it comes to our intelligence or capability to make decisions. For instance, when faced with exploring a monster-infested set of steel corridors floating in space -- frequently an exploding barrel research facility where something has gone horribly wrong -- the best solution is to stay at home, where there's safety and oxygen.

But no, it seems all that clichéd sci-fi dreck we've watched and played has taught us nothing. If EA's recently unveiled horror, Dead Space, is anything to go by, it seems our future is still mired in mysterious distress signals (it's a trap!), poorly lit space stations and snarling tentacle things. See for yourself by watching the trailer embedded after the break. And before you jump to conclusions, note that the protagonist's head sadly does not fire high-velocity slices of atomic toast (it's been done).

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EA Redwood Shores helming sci-fi horror Dead Space

Jason Dobson — 2007-09-24T14:15:00+00:00

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Action, Adventure

When Game Informer originally broke the story that Electronic Arts had enlisted a "renegade" team to develop the upcoming space faring survival horror game Dead Space, many in the gaming community rolled their collective eyes. Do they go around stealing staplers and making paper clip chains, or what? Now, however, EA has revealed that the game is being handled by EA Redwood Shores, a studio that is currently responsible for a number of titles and franchises, including The Simpsons Game and multiple Sims 2 expansions. Renegade or not, the developer knows how to play ball.

Dead Space is described by EA as a "brilliant, bold and often-bloody" sci-fi survival horror game that "promises to deliver the ultimate in psychological thrills and gruesome action." In the game, players take up the role of an engineer named Isaac Clarke as he goes from simply trying to fix the communication systems on a mining ship, to having to fight back an alien infestation that has "ravaged" his ship's crew, after which he must "fight through the dead silence and darkness of deep space to stay alive."

Getting anything wholly original out of EA is nice, and it sounds like Redwood Shores isn't so much a renegade studio as they are fans of the Aliens movies. Dead Space is expected to ship next fall for the PS3 and Xbox 360.

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EA's Dead Space unveiled by Game Informer

James Ransom-Wiley — 2007-09-14T10:54:00+00:00

Filed under: Action, Adventure

He may look like a Big Daddy reject, but this Lil' Papi is the newest face in EA's reinvention line, a steady stream of fresh IPs aimed to counteract the perception of safe-bet mega-publisher. Dead Space, making its first appearance on the cover of Game Informer, was named a year ago (as a FPS) by analyst P. J. McNealey, who identified the then announced project as an Unreal Engine 3-powered action game. The Game Informer hook upgrades that status to "survival horror game," but does not confirm the first-person perspective or Unreal guts. Instead, GI just ~~begs us to buy the issue~~ teases: "Fans of the cult-classic film Event Horizon and straight-up horror aficionados aren't going to want to miss this one!"

Dead Space, being developed by a "renegade" team at EA, sounds a lot like what we'd expect out of the rumored System Shock 3. Is there a connection to be made? And more importantly, can one man cut through the darkness?

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