Last year, Electronic Arts partnered with Starz Media to produce “Dead Space: Downfall,” an animated film that served as a prequel to the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC game. The movie received a lukewarm review from IGN, but, according to EA, it was a “worldwide success.”
Hot off the heels of “Downfall,” EA has revealed, via a press release, that Starz Media is prepping an animated film based on “Dante’s Inferno,” the game loosely based on part of “The Divine Comedy.”
“Dante’s Inferno” will chronicle one man’s journey through hell, as he attempts to save his lover while facing his troubled past. The game is being handled by “Dead Space” developer, EA Redwood Shores, and is scheduled for a 2010 release on the PS3 and the 360. The brutal, action-heavy title has been compared to the “God of War” and “Devil May Cry” franchises, but “Dante’s Inferno” doesn’t appear to be just another action game. According to Destructoid’s Hamza, players will get to wield Death’s scythe. Damn.
Be sure to check out the first trailer over at the game’s official site. The video shows zero gameplay footage, but is extremely awesome nonetheless. If it doesn’t get you hyped for the game, nothing will.
“Just as the poem and game take players on a stunning journey through the nine circles of Hell, the ‘Dante’s Inferno’ animated feature will also follow Dante as he travels through limbo, lust, gluttony, greed, anger, heresy, violence, fraud and treachery in search of his true love, Beatrice,” reads the company press release.
Jonathan Knight, the executive producer and creative director for the game, referred to the film as a “companion piece” that won’t simply rehash the events of the game.
“The feature will explore aspects of the poem that the game does not, and will provide more insight into the characters and the unique story adaptation that the game has established,” he said.
In addition to the Starz animated film, Variety has reported that Universal Pictures will produce its own movie adaptation of the game. Of course, EA isn’t the only game company expanding into the film medium. According to a GameDaily report, Capcom, which recently released “Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li,” has films based on the “Onimusha,” “Clock Tower” and “Lost Planet” IPs in the works. Also, Ubisoft is pondering film adaptations of “Assassin’s Creed” and Tom Clancy properties.
I completely ignored “Dead Space: Downfall;” I will probably do the same to the forthcoming “Dante’s Inferno” animated film. Though, I certainly applaud EA’s desire to create expanded universes for some of its IPs. I have thrown a lot of love at the publisher recently, but it has deserved every bit of it. Despite its economic woes, EA remains committed to producing new IPs and quality sequels. Quite different from the old EA, which was content with releasing “Madden” roster updates every year.
What do you think? Does this recent news excite you? Do you even care about the “Dante’s Inferno” game? It will get a look from me, especially since it has been compared to one of my favorite franchises of all time, “God of War.”
Sources: Electronic Arts, Variety, GameDaily, GameSpot
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Sounds like a good idea to me. I sincerely enjoyed Dead Space: Downfall, the animation was a little lacking but the story tie-ins to the game and the sheer level of gore more than made up for it.
One of THE most important literary works ever, and probably the MOST important for Italy. I’m glad to see some form of mainstream media picking it up. Hopefully it will help get the newer generation interested in the classic Divine Comedy.
I didn’t know about the short animated film, but I would definitely watch it. Thanks Havok!
I just watched the trailer for the game. I have to say that it looks amazing. The God of War series is also one of my favorite series of games, so I’m super stoked about this game. Plus, it looks awesome. That trailer was fantastic.