EA’s Dismissal of Dead Space 4: What Lies Ahead for the Franchise?
The beloved Dead Space horror series has stirred anticipation among its fans for a return to the spine-chilling thrills of battling Necromorphs. Unfortunately, recent developments indicate that EA may not be ready to return to this iconic franchise just yet. Earlier this year, the original creators of Dead Space approached EA with a proposal for a new game; however, they were met with a firm rejection.
The Pitch and Its Rejection
This revelation comes from an interview conducted by Dan Allen Gaming on YouTube, in which key figures from Visceral Games—Glen Schofield, Christopher Stone, and Bret Robbins—discussed their experiences with the franchise, including its creative influences and development anecdotes. They openly shared their desire to develop a sequel, Dead Space 4.
“We tried, actually, the three of us,”Schofield stated. “Dead Space 4. We are talking this year.”
Despite their enthusiasm, EA’s response was less than encouraging. The decision appears to stem from concerns about the franchise’s financial viability.
“We didn’t go too deep,” Schofield commented. “They just said, ‘We are not interested right now, we appreciate it blah blah blah.’ We respected their opinion. They know their numbers.”
The Struggles of Recent Projects
In 2022, Glen Schofield attempted to revive interest in the sci-fi horror genre with his new venture, Striking Distance Studios, which released The Callisto Protocol in partnership with Krafton, the creators of PUBG. Unfortunately, the game faced mediocre reviews and fell short of expected sales, leading to Schofield’s departure from the studio in 2023.
A Brief History of the Dead Space Franchise
The Dead Space saga began in 2008, introducing players to the terrifying environment of the USG Ishimura and the challenges faced by systems engineer Isaac Clarke. The series garnered acclaim for its unique blend of sci-fi and horror.
The second installment, released in 2011, solidified its reputation, while the third game, launched in 2013, did not meet sales expectations, resulting in the indefinite suspension of the series. By 2017, Visceral Games was dissolved, further complicating the franchise’s future.
Recent Developments: The Remake and Possible Future
Despite these setbacks, EA’s Motive Studio stepped in to breathe new life into the franchise with the release of a Dead Space remake in 2023. This version, powered by the Frostbite Engine, has been well-received, even earning several awards. However, reports indicate it, too, failed to meet EA’s sales targets.
Motive is also currently engaged in developing a new Iron Man game for Marvel, along with contributing to a new Battlefield installment by DICE.
What’s Next for Dead Space?
While the pitch for Dead Space 4 has been officially rejected, it’s possible that EA could revisit the franchise with one of its own studios. Motive, having already shown its capacity to work with the series, might be tasked with creating a Dead Space sequel or even a remake of Dead Space 2—an endeavor that could require less investment due to prior work on the remake.
As of now, the future of the Dead Space series remains uncertain. EA seems likely to favor approaches that mitigate financial risk, which makes a return to the series less likely in the near term. For fans eager for the next encounter with Necromorphs, it appears that patience will be essential.
Leave a Reply