Hey guys! Steve Papoutsis here, Executive Producer of Dead Space 3. In just seven days, DS3 is going to be in your hands. For me and my team, launch day is what we live for: that day when people around the world can get their hands on the game we made - the final product of two years of blood, sweat, and passion. Making games is a dream all of us shared growing up, and DS3 is something we're really proud of, and is really fun to play. We hope you'll agree. (We also hope to scare the shit out of you!)
A lot of folks don't know that when a game "finishes," it's actually out of our hands for a few weeks while it goes through manufacturing. So what does the Dead Space team do during that time? Well, we play the game a LOT. But we also continue to make kick-ass content, so DS3 can be as awesome as it can be on launch day! You've probably seen some of the rad suits we've been making. Like the N7 suit: if you've played Mass Effect 3, this cool armor will automatically unlock for both Isaac and Carver. And like we did for DS2, we’ll also have some Day 1 DLC suits, like the Marauder, Sharpshooter, and Tundra Recon suits, that you might choose to pick up. These suits - and their respective weapons - have custom skins and are built for our collectors out there, who like to stand out from the crowd when playing DS3 in co-op.
Another cool feature of DS3 is the scavenger bot. Everybody will find at least one of these bots in the game (and there a couple hidden ones to pick up, too.) The Scavenger Bot is an autonomous robot that can harvest resources for you and deliver them to the Tool Construction bench. Resources include stuff like somatic gel, scrap metal, tungsten - materials that you can use to craft into anything you want, like a health pack or weapon part.
As a replacement for DS2’s credits, resources are a key part of the Dead Space 3 experience, and their placement in the game has been well thought out by our game designers. Whether by looting enemies, opening lockers, or exploring the world, you’ll find more than enough resources in-game to fully experience DS3 on any difficulty level. The scavenger bot's purpose is to give you an extra edge, since there's a bit of gameplay (and risk/reward) to using him and finding the richest resource caches. You can also choose to download upgrades to the scavenger bot that double his capacity or speed up his trips to the bench. What will you do with all those extra resources? Be crafty! Think like an engineer. Build some ridiculous tool of terror. Just don't forget to craft something that will help you survive...
The scavenger bot will also find Ration Seals. These ancient slips were used by the crew of the barracks and warships you'll discover to purchase things like food, drinks, and magazines. (Life was tough in the Sovereign Colonies.) Fictionally, crew could exchange Ration Seals for “Resource Packs,” and so can Isaac. Resource Packs are another optional way to acquire resources in Dead Space 3, and they reward hardcore players for fully exploring the world. Here’s a tip: don’t let those Ration Seals you find just pile up and collect dust – exchange them for a Resource Pack! And should you choose, these Resource Packs are available as DLC. We added this feature as a convenience for gamers who decide they want a pick-me-up right away. DS3 isn’t designed to require Resource Packs, but they’re an option that’s available should you decide to use it – the choice is yours.
What else can you choose to do? How about play DS3 in 4 unlockable game modes! Each mode is on-disc, and becomes available when you beat the game once. There’s New Game+, which lets you start a new game with all your upgrades and arsenal intact. There’s Classic Mode, which is for the DS1 veterans out there. It’s single-player only, uses “classic” aiming, and there’s no crafting – all weapons have to be built from blueprints, a la the original game. Another mode is Pure Survival Mode. If you like survival horror and resource management, this is the mode for you. Enemies ONLY drop resources, and there’s no ammo, health, or weapon parts to be found. You’ll have to choose what to craft every time you see a bench. Upgrade? Med Pack? Plasma Core? Think fast – there’s a Waster right around the corner! Finally, we have the aptly-named Hardcore Mode. Choose this mode, and you only get one life to live for the entire campaign. Make sure to wear a clean pair of boxers when you play…
Choice is very important in Dead Space 3, and I'm so happy that we made Dead Space 3 a game that respects player choice. Choose to face the terror alone, or with a friend in co-op. Choose to build weapons from scratch, or from blueprints you've found or traded with a partner. Choose to apply your resources for a devastating offense, or an unstoppable defense. As you can see, we have a lot planned for you in DS3. And the team is hard at work on a top secret additional story that will be coming in a few weeks. We're not saying much, yet - but think "disturbing" to get your imaginations going.