Dead Space 3 may not be for everyone according to dev

By: Musa Afridi

  |   December 31st, 2012   |  

News

The game’s executive producer talks about how some testers paused the game and walked away during the playthrough and how Visceral Games have to find a right balance

The first Dead Space did a brilliant job at keeping players on their toes and making them dread going down narrow claustrophobic corridors, the vast emptiness of space and of course against legions of the hideously frightening necromorphs.

Some of the fans of the game complained that the second game laid a greater emphasis on action instead of horror, but it did open up the game to a whole new segment of gamers as they found it more accessible than the first Dead Space title.

However, Visceral’s attempt at introducing multiplayer in Dead Space 2 was not received as well as the developer would have hoped but conceded that adding more players to the same experience was something that the studio was looking to grow into.

Their solution just happens to be co-op, which will be an option in Dead Space 3. The game will see Carver join Isaac on his nightmare of an adventure.

Visceral has tried to assure fans that the latest game has plenty of scares in store and that the reaction of the testers has been positive overall.

Steve Papoutsis, the executive producer of the game, explained that he enjoyed seeing players react to certain moments in the game. He said, “Yeah, it’s great. I love it. I love seeing somebody jump back. It’s the usual expletives or make a funny face or jump.”

However, at the same time, there have been those who could not take the experience and ended up leaving the testing prematurely. Steve explained, “I’ve seen people pause the game and walk away and that’s a sad one because it’s too much for them and they don’t want to play anymore. That’s a bummer.”

When asked if that was something that concerned the developers, Steve responded, “Yeah it is concerning to see, but in a good way and a bad way.”

The executive producer elaborated, “In a good way we’re getting a reaction and we’re causing people to respond, which is good: it’s what we’re after. But on the negative side it’s alienating that person.”

The Dead Space games have plenty of iconic moments which resonate with players long after the playthrough and one has to wonder if Visceral can achieve the right balance to please the horror fans as well as those looking for just the right amount of scares and action.

It is a tight line to walk but Visceral’s solution seems to be co-op, where those who cannot handle the game alone can play through it with a friend and thus have an easier time.