EA's Disinterest in Dead Space 4: A Developer's Perspective
Glen Schofield, creator of the Dead Space franchise, recently revealed in an interview with Dan Allen Gaming that EA showed little enthusiasm for a fourth installment. This article delves into Schofield's account and the developers' hopes for the future of the series.
The Future of Dead Space Remains Uncertain
Dead Space 4's development appears stalled, possibly indefinitely. During the Dan Allen Gaming interview, Schofield, along with Christopher Stone and Bret Robbins, confirmed EA's rejection of their proposal for a new game. The conversation began with Stone recounting his son's love for Dead Space and his plea for a sequel, a wish Stone sadly couldn't fulfill.
The team attempted to pitch Dead Space 4 to EA earlier this year, but the publisher's response was swift and negative. Schofield described EA's reaction as a polite but firm rejection, citing their focus on profitability and established release schedules. Stone added that the current gaming climate encourages risk aversion, particularly with older franchises.
Despite the success of the recent Dead Space remake (scoring 89 on Metacritic and "Very Positive" on Steam), EA's apparent reluctance suggests that the remake's performance, while positive, may not have met their internal benchmarks for greenlighting a new title. Schofield emphasized EA's data-driven approach to decision-making.
However, the developers remain hopeful. Stone expressed confidence that Dead Space 4 will eventually materialize, a sentiment echoed by his colleagues. They possess numerous ideas and would eagerly return to the project given the opportunity. Currently, however, the team members are working on separate projects. Despite their individual pursuits, the desire to revive Dead Space remains strong, promising a potential return of the acclaimed horror franchise in the future.