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EA isn’t to blame for the decreased focus on horror in Dead Space 3, the market is.
That’s according to former Epic and Gears of War designer Cliff Bleszinski, who argues in an extensive blog post that out-and-out horror is simply not compatible with modern gaming business models.
What will suit it, however, is the proliferation of digital delivery methods.
In the $60 disc based market horror doesn’t fly – it’s the ultimate ‘Campaign Rental’ that’s played for two days and traded in and I’m sure EA knows this,” he wrote. When we’re fully digital we’ll see more true horror games coming back. Look at Amnesia and Slenderman on PC.”
Cliffy B also embarks on a spirited defence of Dead Space 3, which despite critical and to a certain extent commercial success has (surprise surprise) faced the wrath of the online internet shouting posse.
At the end of the day this franchise feels like it’s starting as a solo experience, a solitary and confined horror game, and now it’s evolving into much more than that,” he argued. You can either fight it or embrace it. I choose the latter, as at the end of the day it’s FUN.”
