Dead Space Premium DLC Makes You Pay For Weapons (Again)

Mon, Nov 10, 2008

In my eyes, Dead Space is a superb survival horror game -- and that's thanks, in part, to its collection of exotic mining tools turned deadly weaponry. There's just something about wielding a high-powered mining laser as an improvised pistol that adds tremendously to the immersive joy of the experience.

Unfortunately, Dead Space kills a lot of this immersion by having players purchase and refill these supposedly naturally occurring weapons at the derelict mining vessel's in-game store. Because of course, all miners had to purchase their tools before hopping in their space suit and setting out for a day's work.

Today, however, EA's decision to make us purchase in-game weaponry makes perfect sense. They've just been trying to acclimate us to the idea of paying for weapons early, so on November 13th we'll feel comfortable spending real money to do the same thing with their new Dead Space premium DLC.

Starting at $1.00 for new graphics and topping off at $4.00 for packs filled with freshly skinned and upgraded weaponry, the DLC is certainly a cut above the infamous Oblivion horse armor -- and since there's no multiplayer in Dead Space, we'll hold off rants about how EA is pushing an online class divide. Our only real worry at this point is that players might find these upgraded weapons cheapen the experience.

So, what will you get for your hard-earned cash started November 13th, or November 20th for PS3?

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) announced today that the critically acclaimed Dead Space™ will be releasing premium upgrade packs* to provide the game hero, Isaac Clarke, an everyday systems engineer, with the ultimate Necromorph-dismembering equipment in his fight for survival aboard the space-traveling USG Ishimura. Players can experience the glory of strategic dismemberment November 13 on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace worldwide and the PLAYSTATION®Store** in Europe. These premium upgrade packs will be available on the PLAYSTATION Store worldwide November 20.

Winner of over 23 critic awards and boasting a score of 89 on Metacritic.com, Dead Space delivers the ultimate in psychological thrills and gruesome action. It is a bold and often-bloody sci-fi survival horror game set 500 years in the future. The innovative combat in the game calls for intense gore and character dismemberment that can be experienced even further with these premium upgrade packs.

The complete list of upgrade packs include:

Astronaut Pack: Download the Astronaut Suit and Weapon Skin Pack, featuring an amazing Astronaut Suit and new skins for the Plasma Cutter, Pulse Rifle, and Ripper!
-- $3.00 / 240 MS points

Big Gun Pack: Download the Steam Punk Force Gun, the ultimate in Necromorph-killing destruction.
-- $1.00 / 80 MS points

Heavy Damage Pack: Download the Heavy Damage Weapon pack featuring a cool new look and massive firepower for the Plasma Cutter, Contact Beam, Pulse Rifle, and Ripper.
-- $3.00 / 240 MS points

Hot Rod Pack: Download the Hot Rod Weapon Skin Pack, featuring awesome flame graphics for the Flamethrower and Pulse Rifle.
-- $1.00 / 80 MS points

Military Pack: Download the Military Weapon Pack for a new look and enhanced power for all 7 Dead Space weapons.
-- $4.00 / 320 MS points

Pedestrian Pack: Download the Pedestrian Weapon Skin Pack, featuring a fresh new look for the Contact Beam, Plasma Cutter, and Ripper.
-- $1.50 / 120 MS points

Scorpion Pack: Download the Scorpion Pack featuring an upgraded Level 5 Suit and powered up Plasma Cutter, Line Gun, and Force Gun, all decorated in an awesome red Scorpion Skin.
-- $4.00 / 320 MS points

Scorpion Weapon Pack: Download the Scorpion Weapon Pack featuring a faster death-dealing Plasma Cutter, Line Gun, and Force Gun in awesome red skins.
-- $2.25 / 180 MS points

Speed Kills Pack: Download the Speed Kills Weapon Pack! Includes faster-firing Force Gun, Line Gun, and Plasma Cutter.
-- $2.25 / 180 MS points

Tank Pack: Download the Tank Pack featuring an upgraded Level 5 Suit and powered up Flamethrower, Force Gun, and Line Gun, all covered in Unitology script.
-- $4.00 / 320 MS points

PLAYSTATION®3 Exclusive Packs:

Obsidian Weapon Skin Pack: Download the exclusive Obsidian Weapon Skin Pack now, available only for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. Includes weapon skins in jet-black PLAYSTATION 3 colors for the Line Gun, Plasma Cutter, and Pulse Rifle.
-- $1.50

Obsidian Pack: Download the exclusive Obsidian Suit and Weapon Skin Pack now, available only for the PLAYSTATION®3! Includes an upgraded Level 5 suit, and weapon skins for the Line Gun, Plasma Cutter, and Pulse Rifle, all in jet-black PLAYSTATION®3 colors.
-- $3.00

Xbox 360®-Exclusive Packs:

Elite Weapon Skin Pack: Download the exclusive Elite Weapon Skin Pack now, available only for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system! Includes weapon skins in Xbox 360 colors for the Line Gun, Plasma Cutter, and Pulse Rifle.
-- 120 MS points

Elite Pack: Download the exclusive Elite Suit and Weapon Skin Pack now, available only for the Xbox 360! Includes an upgraded Level 5 suit, and weapon skins for the Line Gun, Plasma Cutter, and Pulse Rifle in Xbox 360 colors.
-- 240 MS points
Developed at EA Redwood Shores, Dead Space is rated M for Mature with descriptors of Blood and Gore, Intense Violence and Strong Language by the ESRB and 18+ for PEGI. Dead Space is now available for MSRP $59.99 on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and MSRP $49.99 for the PC. For more information about the game, go to the website at www.deadspacegame.com or info.ea.com.

* Requires Dead Space for the Xbox 360 or PLAYSTATION 3 to play.

** INTERNET CONNECTION required. Xbox LIVE gold or silver membership OR PLAYSTATION®Network account required.