Former Dead Space creator and executive producer Glen Schofield talks about his thoughts and conflicted feelings on the upcoming remake.

Many were happy to hear the announcement at EA Play 2021 of a complete remake of Dead Space. Since the initial teaser trailer, a few more details have emerged, including a much better look at Dead Space’s appearance when it launches in early 2023. Dead Space, powered by the Frostbite engine, will be an exclusively next-gen title with redesigned environments, character models, and new tools like the ALIVE system that dynamically controls Isaac Clarke’s breathing, heartbeat, and dialogue to bring a new level of authenticity to the gameplay experience.

The reimagining of the classic horror game is being led by Motive Studios, taking over from original developer Visceral Games after it closed its doors back in 2017.

While some veterans of the series are returning to the project, such as art director Mike Yazijan, it’s primarily a brand new team bringing the experience to life after 13 years. Naturally, that fact has stirred up a lot of emotion from former developers, including former creator and executive producer Glen Schofield.

Schofield was asked about the upcoming Dead Space remake in a recent conversation with Game Informer. Schofield confessed that he took last year’s announcement as more of a compliment than anything else and was happy that the franchise was getting a second chance after being shelved for so long. However, Schofield also revealed that he is a bit conflicted, as he is also a bit upset that a new game in the franchise is being made without him.

Part of that feeling stems from the fact that Motive Studios is working on a remake of the game, which aims to be a better version than the original that Schofield worked on. However, at the end of the day, Schofield wishes the developers all the best, as their success means the Dead Space franchise can live on.

“I took [the announcement] as a compliment. I still do take it as a compliment.”

“I’m still kind of bummed about it too. There’s this weird, weird thing, like you’re not attached to your own game. I do wish them well because I want to see the franchise live: that’s where I want to be. I want to play it. I want them to do well. I’m glad the franchise is now given a second life.”

After Schofield left Visceral Games, he co-founded Sledgehammer Games with Michael Condrey to work on Call of Duty. However, Schofield soon returned to his love of horror, becoming CEO of Striking Distance Studios and working on The Callisto Protocol. After it was announced at The Game Awards in 2020, many fans noticed that it bore many similarities to Dead Space, which had not been revealed until then. Schofield has also commented on these similarities, admitting that he’s not afraid to steal a good idea from himself.

Source: Game Informer