EA: Handhelds Can't Do Dead Space

Although Dead Space's upcoming move onto the Wii - thus proving that the game doesn't require 'Next Gen' grunt - a portable version of the game is unlikely.

While not entirely writing off a handheld version of the game, Glen Schofield, head of EA's newly-christened Visceral Games (formerly the Redwood Shores studio) said that portable systems couldn't handle crucial aspects of the game.

"If we could, maybe. I think part of the problem is all the major physics and the dismemberment, and things like that", said Schofield. "I want to stay true to the vision of Dead Space, and that is about dismemberment, zero G, and stuff like that. We'd have to make some compromises that I am not willing to make yet."

The DS, which yielded disappointing sales of GTA: Chinatown Wars, probably wouldn't be a great vehicle for a survival horror franchise like Dead Space anyway. That's not to say, however, that the PSP - which is gaining renewed hype and support at the moment - or the iPhone wouldn't make viable sales platforms for the game.

Schofield also revealed that the original version of Dead Space (reviewed here), which was released on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC late last year, has sold 1.4 million copies - not a bad effort for a new property.

^{Source: GameSpot}