After months of rumors and reports, EA made a lot of fans happy after it announced a full on remake of Dead Space at EA Play 2021. Since that initial teaser trailer, a few additional details have come out, including a much better look at how Dead Space is going to look when it launches in early 2023. Using the Frostbite engine, Dead Space is a next-gen only title with redesigned assets, environments, character models, and using new tools like the ALIVE system which dynamically controls Isaac Clarke's breathing, heart rate, and dialogue in order to add a new level of immersion.
This new take on the classic horror game is being helmed by Motive Studios, taking over for original developer Visceral Games after its shuttering back in 2017. While some series veterans are back on this project, such as art director Mike Yazijan, it's largely a brand new team bringing this experience back to life after 13 years. Naturally, this fact has brought up a lot of emotions for former developers including former creator and executive producer, Glen Schofield.
In a recent conversation with Game Informer, Schofield was asked about the upcoming Dead Space Remake. Schofield admitted that he took the announcement last year as more of a compliment than anything else, glad that the franchise was given a second chance after being shelved for so long. However, Schofield also revealed he was a little conflicted as he also feels a little bummed that a new game in the franchise is being made without him.
Part of that feeling comes from the fact that Motive Studios is working on a remake of the game that aims to be a better version than the original one Schofield worked on. At the end of the day though, Schofield wishes the developers well as their success means the Dead Space franchise can live on.
I took [the announcement] as a compliment. I still do take it as a compliment. I'm still kind of bummed about it too. There's this weird, weird thing, like you're not attached to your own game. I do wish them well because I want to see the franchise live: that's where I want to be. I want to play it. I want them to do well. I'm glad the franchise is now given a second life.
After leaving Visceral Games, Schofield went on to found Sledgehammer Games alongside Michael Condrey to work on Call of Duty. However, Schofield soon would return to his love of horror by becoming the CEO of Striking Distance Studios and working on The Callisto Protocol. After being announced in 2020 at The Game Awards, many fans noticed more than a few similarities to Dead Space, which, to that point, had not been revealed yet. Schofield has also commented on those similarities, admitting that he's not going to shy away from a good idea and that he isn't afraid to steal from himself.
Dead Space will release on January 23, 2023, on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Source: Game Informer