Plans to remake Dead Space 2 were scrapped following disappointing commercial performance of the first game, which sold only 2 million units. According to Jeff Grubb of Giant Bomb, Motive, the studio behind the project, shifted its focus to the next Battlefield title.
“They were working on Dead Space 2 and they are no longer doing it,” Grubb stated. He added, “They moved it because the first game had mediocre sales, that’s how they proposed it to me.” However, EA refuted these claims, telling IGN, “We normally don’t comment on rumors, but this story has no validity.”
It’s worth noting that EA’s denial only addresses the notion that work on Dead Space 2 was underway, not the cancellation or poor sales. In addition to Battlefield, Motive is also involved in an Iron Man project led by Olivier Proulx (Executive Producer) and Ian Frazier (Creative Director).
If EA truly deems Dead Space’s sales of two million units as mediocre, it paints a grim picture. Comparatively, titles like Final Fantasy 16, despite being exclusive to PlayStation 5, managed to sell 3.5 million copies in its first couple of weeks, yet some still labeled it a failure. Square Enix expressed disappointment with sales exceeding 7 million for Tomb Raider last decade. Conversely, Capcom celebrated the 3 million units sold within the first days of Resident Evil 4.
This trend suggests that any triple-A game falling short of double-digit sales figures is deemed unprofitable by its creators. While aiming for Red Dead Redemption 2 or Skyrim-level sales is desirable, it’s not always feasible. This could lead to a future with fewer triple-A games, more sequels, and a tendency to play it safe.
It’s concerning to witness this emphasis on sales numbers overshadowing the artistic and creative merit of a game. High sales figures don’t always correlate with quality, and it’s important for developers to prioritize innovation and originality rather than simply chasing sales targets. Ultimately, the industry risks stagnation if it becomes solely profit-driven, sacrificing diversity and risk-taking in favor of guaranteed returns.
