Dead Space 2 development starting in 'next few months'

Job listing reveals sequel is in "later stages of preproduction" for PS3, 360 at EA's Visceral Games studio; same "core team" in place.

The day after the Wii spin-off Dead Space Extraction shipped, news has surfaced about the next installment in the main Dead Space series. A job listing posted by Visceral Games, Electronic Arts' recently rebranded Redwood Shores studio, reveals that development on a follow-up to the acclaimed 2008 original will begin shortly.

Isaac Clarke is ready for round 2.

Posted by EA senior recruiter Jeff Ballard, the job listing is for a "Lead Combat & Controls Designer at Visceral Games." The internal studio is "Seeking a highly motivated lead combat designer for the Dead Space franchise on Xbox 360 and PS3." No mention is made of a sequel to the PC version of Dead Space, which has sold a disappointing 36,000 units domestically to date, according to the NPD Group.

Later on, the listing describes the project in more detail, all but confirming it as Dead Space 2 and not a spin-off or side project. "This M-rated action/shooter sequel will set new standards for an action-packed story-driven console experience," reads the listing. (Emphasis added.) It then goes on to detail how far along the project is, saying "The game is in the later stages of preproduction, ready for production in the next few months, with many of the navigational and combat mechanics in place." (Emphasis added.)

The listing also declared that the "same core team" that crafted the critically lauded Dead Space will be working on the sequel. The mention should reassure fans of the series, given recent high-profile departures at Visceral. In July, the studio's COO Michael Condrey and general manager Glen Schofield, an early champion of Dead Space, abruptly left to head up Activision's new San Francisco Bay Area studio. The San Mateo-based shop, which may be called Sledgehammer Games, is working on an established property for the Guitar Hero and Call of Duty publisher.

373 Comments

  • Earth_Krish

    Posted Oct 30, 2009 3:15 am PT

    I think the game had replayability, especially if you own a 360 version you could go achievement hunting... ( PC version=no achievements for me Also given at the end it gives you bonus creds and a special suit to start the next game with.. just play it up on harder difficulty for the challenge, too, I guess.. I have not minded a second run of this game.. I didn't play full price (bought it in May) but this game was very satisfying, even if short, I wouldn't have minded if I'd paid full for it either... and I do usually play games with lots of online content( I prefer playing with friends than alone )

  • Earth_Krish

    Posted Oct 30, 2009 3:11 am PT

    @ slothrox Devs have said that Isaac did survive...it was just in his head... that would drive anyone crazy ya know... also the marker thing..

  • slothrox

    Posted Oct 15, 2009 4:16 pm PT

    I loved Dead Space. It ranks up there as one of my all time favourite games. Isaac must be gone though!?!?

  • Vanadane

    Posted Oct 13, 2009 1:03 am PT

    Could you put in an online mode? Like some kind of co-op or like Firefight in Halo 3 ODST?

  • NickAnguiano

    Posted Oct 12, 2009 12:37 pm PT

    Dead Space was an amazing game and it's sad that it went under the radar as it did because so many other amazing games were being released at the time. Not to mention, despite taking a whole new spin on the survival horror genre and being really damn good and actually scary, it was short and had no multiplayer. It also had no incentive to replay it either. So basically once you were done with the 5-10 hour story, that was it, you were done with the game. So in that sense, it was a waste of money for me to purchase the game because I could have saved myself like $55 and rented it and enjoyed all it had to offer over a couple of days. It sucks to say such a great game was really only worth a rent, but it's a fact.. it just did not have anything to keep you coming back once you were done. So I hope EA changes that this time around and adds some replayability to Dead Space 2.

  • Tom-Servo

    Posted Oct 10, 2009 12:11 pm PT

    Awesome sauce.

  • abond

    Posted Oct 8, 2009 5:11 pm PT

    Awesome game... can't wait!

  • Nodashi

    Posted Oct 8, 2009 9:32 am PT

    It's really hard to sell short games with no multiplayer content or replayability for the PC, even if the game is really good.

    Dead Space has all those caracteristics.

  • RussianRAGE

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 11:11 pm PT

    OHHHH YEAAAAH!

    Dead Space was some good, gory, bloody, fun times!

    Curb stomping nercomorphs NEVER gets old!

  • SlashDementia3

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 5:55 pm PT

    Dead Space is an amazing game. I can't wait to see the next. Visceral Games is turning into one of my favorite developers very fast.

  • Dafama2k7

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 5:22 am PT

    I hope this time the new Dead Space 2 will be made on FIRST PERSON point of view, that it will be the BEST way to play a game like this, like it is on the amazing Doom 3 and F.E.A.R. series, please, and also release it for PC, of course !

  • Tom-Servo

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 2:29 pm PT

    I played Dead Space on ps3 and am a HUGE fan of the game/series, but I do hope this comes out for PC also just for the sake of more people enjoying the game.

  • chang_1910

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 2:03 pm PT

    I just finish DS (yea, lil late ) and is AWESOME... so a DS2, AMAZING!!!

  • Schmitty722

    Posted Oct 5, 2009 7:12 pm PT

    this game is amazing lol name a game that you fight zombie babies besides dead space wow this is game is brutal next one should have animals as infected and different kinds and same ones too but what it really needs is COOP just give the whole ship and colonial and fight hundreds of those necromorphs

  • MegaWang

    Posted Oct 5, 2009 6:31 pm PT

    I sincerely hope there is a PC version or I won't be able to play it, loved the first game. No idea why the PC sales would be so low.

  • cjasko94

    Posted Oct 5, 2009 1:44 pm PT

    @ JanMarek
    I give you tumbs down and long for posting such a dumb comment. haha

  • cjasko94

    Posted Oct 5, 2009 1:42 pm PT

    Wow, I still need to get the first Dead Space and they are already talking about a 2nd one!

  • F24263

    Posted Oct 5, 2009 11:21 am PT

    The first one was an instant "must buy- must play". For me it came as if of nowhere. The perfect gaming surprise.
    Now that the stakes and the expectations are sky-high I will try to avoid the hype and wait for the first reviews before I buy it.
    Don't get me wrong - I am just avoiding any disappointment that may come with the comparisons between what I expected and what I get.

  • JigSAWpuppet105

    Posted Oct 4, 2009 5:42 pm PT

    This...is...AWSOME. Man I can't wait for this to come out, I'll be one of the first people to try to buy when it comes out. I loved Dead Space 1, it was the most hardcore, intense, kick-ass game I have ever played, the creatures, scared the hell out of me every time when they appeared by the way, they had great detail and features I hope there are new creepy creatures too. I just hope this time they don't put the creatures in the same spot every time you play the game over and over again like last time and I hope there are much more of them this time too, less bore time and horror time please. XD

  • Gooshnads

    Posted Oct 4, 2009 12:55 am PT

    Only if they wont have cheap scares...
    that would "make me whole again" =]

  • badman11226

    Posted Oct 3, 2009 11:16 pm PT

    Man cant wait man this game wow was so instense when i played it. The atmosphere, everthing that was is in this game was perfect for a horror game i hope they dont change much . If it aint broke dont try to upgrade or fix it just leave it alone Dead Space Dev. I mean look at RE5 that a good example.

  • ravanamalice

    Posted Oct 3, 2009 10:25 am PT

    i can wait probably forget about it for awhile seeing there is so much grand stuff still coming out and stuffed pushed back (ya talking about you bioshock2). anyways loved the first one. couldn't play re5 afterwards so thats saying alot for me. just hope they dont mess up and have to get outside help(ya you bioshock2).

  • Crimson_xWolfx

    Posted Oct 3, 2009 7:37 am PT

    @JanMarek By god, you didn't make the least bit o' sense. Anyway, despite that comment. I cannot wait for this, although I wonder what horrors await Isaac this time. This game will be awesome.

  • TehUndeadHorror

    Posted Oct 2, 2009 10:45 pm PT

    Why would anyone leave for Activision?

  • general_kane_na

    Posted Oct 2, 2009 8:59 pm PT

    Time to punch more necromorphs

  • SniperJackson

    Posted Oct 2, 2009 6:04 pm PT

    The first one was REALly great. I can't wait for Dead Space 2!!!

  • JanMarek

    Posted Oct 2, 2009 5:24 pm PT

    Love the way most of you guys think...there is no reason for EA not to drop out the PC version. And how can someone say that there is more pc gamers and that EA will loose more money??? Nothing against any brainiac in this discussion but I think EA got some pretty good guys for all this economic stuff. PC as a gaming platform is still very powerful so play games determined for it rather than complain about games which are not released for pc or complain about the keyboard/mouse issues with conversions.
    Anyway I'm pretty sure there will be a pc version, although bit later because EA will be waiting on how many copies of DS will be sold for consoles. So I would suggest to actually support the console owners, because they are our key to get the pc version. What about collect some money from pc guys so that more console guys could buy new Dead Space? Btw, and I know this is really of topic, but what do you think the Dead Space 2 will be like?

  • Baramos6

    Posted Oct 2, 2009 11:45 am PT

    @Warnerator

    I like the way you think... It's about time someone made an unbiased remark. "I don't want to spend tons of money always upgrading a pc when the only time you have to upgrade a console is when the next generation comes out." I agree to all of what you said right there.

  • FurqanHBK

    Posted Oct 2, 2009 8:51 am PT

    This does not say that dead space 2 will not be avalaible for pc they just didn,t mention it yet may be they will announce later next year after Dante,s Inferno or E3 so just lets hope they will make that decision

  • hotbodyboy_2006

    Posted Oct 2, 2009 7:07 am PT

    can't wait for this game though. Personally was my Game Of The Year 2008 above Fallout 3 and others (STRICTLY PC).

  • hotbodyboy_2006

    Posted Oct 2, 2009 7:06 am PT

    HELLO?? What about PC?

  • malverick

    Posted Oct 2, 2009 6:49 am PT

    I hope they develop a proper FP version for the Wii. I've been a PC player for years, but have got fed up with having to keep up with upgrades just to be able to play the latest games - and I don't have the money to keep buying new gfx cards.

    The Wii isn't a technically advanced console - to me it doesn't matter. The controller allows for more control mechanics than button bashing, and pointing the remote at the TV and using the nunchuck is the closest a console will get to a mouse and keyboard type control system ( without using an actual mouse and keyboard, obviously ).

    People have mentioned about the PC being dropped - well, the Wii never seems to get a look in. And before anyone starts with the "the Wii sucks...it doesn't even do HD graphics...", I don't think HD graphics make a game. Of course, a nice looking game is better than a crappy looking game, but a turd in HD is still a turd.

  • Makhdoom82

    Posted Oct 2, 2009 5:41 am PT

    Loved the first one. Chilly as hell and kept me on the edge of my seat.

  • bloody-hell

    Posted Oct 2, 2009 3:01 am PT

    So if the actual production will begin "in the next few months", I guess it will become a Q1 / Q2 2011 release, given the amount of time and resources which will need to be pumped into such a big project, but as I'm a patient young man I have no worries here, as long as they take their time and head for a quality release.

    Seeing the low PC game sales of the first one it's just very understandable (from a financial point of view) that they are aiming for console release first.
    Perhaps there will be a PC port later on with some special "Games for Windows Live" Features, but we'll see.

    Loved the first one and as the crew remains the same which will be working on the second one, I'm just very confident that it will be great too, but time will tell.

  • jin-ro

    Posted Oct 2, 2009 2:22 am PT

    hurry up with thise one, cant wait awesome !

  • CTR360

    Posted Oct 2, 2009 12:55 am PT

    dead space its awesome i cant for the sequel

  • WasTeDMinD86

    Posted Oct 1, 2009 11:21 pm PT

    Needs to be at least twice as long. Apart from that, can't wait.

  • Warnerator

    Posted Oct 1, 2009 10:46 pm PT

    They just gave us this good news and your arguing over pc's and consoles? PC users, how is saying that the pc is "the source of gaming" and "better" than consoles. If you like playing games on a pc then do it and shut the hell up, it's not like your going to convince console players to convert to PC. And console users, yes pc's are better in some ways better than consoles, but not all the time. They all have their weaknesses and strengths. You all play whatever the hell makes you happy. As for me I play on console because my computer is a laptop which can't run games, and I don't want to spend tons of money always upgrading a pc when the only time you have to upgrade a console is when the next generation comes out. How about we all start talking about what we expect to see in the next Dead Space game, and what we want to see.

  • Jitu47

    Posted Oct 1, 2009 10:41 pm PT

    Yess its real frustrating tht these gaming companies think that just by avoiding the PC and concentrating on console releases can improve their sales.. well they re pretty wrong there are more pc gamers as compared to the console gamers. PC games always attracted the gamers from the start and it will continue to do so.. So these companies are on a way to big loss!!

  • lawfrye

    Posted Oct 1, 2009 9:31 pm PT

    What many of you console geeks don't seem to realise is the simple fact that it's the PC that powers the gaming industry...not consoles! If it was not for the the high end tech as far as CPU's and especially the GPU's that AMD and nVidia develop THERE WOULD BE CONSOLE! It's the tech that is first developed for PC that ends up in your beloved game consoles, and without PC enthusiasts like myself and many others who drive the industry by buying these high priced pieces of tech it would never end up in you machines.

  • lawfrye

    Posted Oct 1, 2009 9:16 pm PT

    I'm tired of seeing the PC get the SHAFT by game developers, and yes it is disappointing to hear that only 36,000 units sold domestically for the PC but I was one of guys who bought and greatly enjoyed this title. The way it looks now I wont be able to do so with the up and coming sequal. I'm not buying a console just to play one game so guess I'm out of luck...

  • solidine

    Posted Oct 1, 2009 8:17 pm PT

    Yes! The first one surprised me by being as scary as it was, and was a lot of fun! It's what RE 4 should have been, in my opinion.
    Hopefully they can keep the scares rolling for the sequel.

  • SteyrKat

    Posted Oct 1, 2009 7:52 pm PT

    @Baramos6
    "Here's to hoping more people follow on this tread (sic) on abandoning PC altogether." Honestly I don't know what this trend you speak of is -- as long as the PC exists, there will be PC gaming. There are some things that just work better on a PC, i.e. strategy. You don't really need a computer costing several thousands to enjoy gaming. And even when you do buy a computer that costs more than a console, the PC is meant to do more than mainly game and will outlast any console given a PC's upgrade capability. Dead Space was both a fun and beautiful-looking game. While it's sad to see the sequel leave the PC realm among other games, the PC gaming crowd will always exists and play on.

  • FMD129

    Posted Oct 1, 2009 5:45 pm PT

    @Autolycus
    I see where your coming from, hell I spent almost $3000 on my i7 tower im using at the moment. But you have to see, my computer will outlast ANY console for the next 4-5 years without a problem, and most games are so much easier to use thanks to the keyboard and mouse. The reason I see people loving the consoles are because they are simple to use, and they are quick, as well as cheap. But a PC pays for it self once you realize you arent being charged to go online when its been free everywhere else. I mean, if a game is just that GREAT, that its only on consoles and thats how its been, ill probably budge, I love Metal Gear solid 4 and the Halo series, but when you start a new series on all of the consoles including PC and slowly eliminate them from getting the sequals (As with Halo, Gears of War, Etc.) I find it very irritating for them to come up with a lame excuse at the last moment. I mean, look at PS3, Wifi, Free internet, remote charges through the PS3, and at least Sony has been consistent, I think they rarely release anything for PCs, if any at all. While Xbox 360 charges 100 bucks just for the router? I mean, what the hell is that about?

  • tommynj

    Posted Oct 1, 2009 5:24 pm PT

    Totally loved the first one but this game needs a multiplayer component. 3 - 4 player co-op would be awesome.

  • lamprey263

    Posted Oct 1, 2009 5:05 pm PT

    A lot of people seem to want co-op, I'm kinda of the opinion that some games are just better playing solo, especially ones meant to be scary; it may have worked fine for RE5 but RE5 wasn't scary, it was more of an action game. But I think they should have an online multiplayer challenge mode like Horde, but maybe one that isn't just typical wave after wave, maybe something with an objective and story built in as well so it feels more like an extension of the game.

  • Cobretti1818

    Posted Oct 1, 2009 4:29 pm PT

    Drop the price - it is still US$49 on steam,

  • plm3d_basic

    Posted Oct 1, 2009 2:41 pm PT

    The game didn't do that well on all systems because of the timing, but 36,000 is pretty bad for such a great game. I bought this game on the pc and it looks much better than the console but the mouse controls were a little slow, but I guess that made it much more challenging and stressful. Hopefully, if they do port it over to the pc months later they'll fix the mouse controls and add extra features like extra enemies and dx11.

  • FullScaleWar

    Posted Oct 1, 2009 2:27 pm PT

    Dead Space was easily my favorite game of that year, just a week ago i was able to get the 150 point achievement for beating it on impossible... so after all that perseverance, all i can say is no other game coming out in the future has my attention more than Dead Space 2 =D and to those that are scared, Doom 3 is even more eery at times (damn flashlight)

  • Halcalix

    Posted Oct 1, 2009 2:11 pm PT

    Im still incapable of completeing the first Dead Space Damn im too scared... Im excited for this game, but im just wondering if ill be able to complete it

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