Motive Studios’ Dead Space remake has caused a stir recently after Giant Bomb’s Jeff Grubb reported that a remake for the second game was shelved. Though only in the pre-production phase, Grubb noted that a Dead Space 2 remake wasn’t happening due to lackluster sales of the first game. Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier has since weighed in, noting in a new report that the series is on ice again.
Electronic Arts reportedly decided this last Spring, and hopes for a new title were allegedly derailed when the first remake’s sales didn’t meet the publisher’s expectations, per sources. Motive reportedly spent a few months after the Dead Space remake’s launch on ideas for a new entry. However, nothing was greenlit, and plans apparently “fizzled before they could get very far.”
The team has since “been exploring other ideas” since last Summer as its developers moved on to other projects. As recently announced, Motive is working on the Battlefield franchise while development on Marvel’s Iron Man, which passed a “major internal milestone” earlier this year, continues.
It’s worth noting that IGN refuted the validity of Grubb’s initial report, though it didn’t specify which part. Head here for more details, including responses from Grubb and Schreier. Regardless of whether a Dead Space 2 remake would have happened, both reports note that the first title sold below expectations. Whether EA eventually revisits the franchise or not remains to be seen.