The series covers three mainline entries released for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows; and multiple spin-off titles on other platforms co-developed with external studios set before or between the main games.
To complement and expand upon the games' narratives, the team and Electronic Arts created a multimedia franchise covering animated movies and printed media, collaborating with several studios and creators.
The original Dead Space began production in 2006 at Visceral Games (then EA Redwood Shores); the aim of creator Glen Schofield was to design the most frightening survival horror experience possible at the time, drawing inspiration from the Resident Evil 4, and a range of movies including Event Horizon and Alien.
[48] Illustrations for these projects was handled first by Ben Templesmith, known for his work on 30 Days of Night;[49] and later by Christopher Shy of Studio Ronin.
[56][57] He evolved his style over the course of the series by incorporating specific character themes, and collaborated on Dead Space 3 with James Hannigan.