Hero Isaac Clarke returns for another heart-pounding adventure, taking the fight to the Necromorphs in this thrilling action-horror experience. New tools to gruesomely slice and dismember the Necromorphs complement Isaac's signature Plasma Cutter, empowering him as he meets new characters, explores epic Zero-G environments, and fights against a relentless necromorph onslaught. Survival isn't the only thing on Isaac's mind in Dead Space 2 - this time, he calls the shots.

Dead Space Ignition, the prologue to the January blockbuster Dead Space 2, will be available October 13 as a free download to anyone that pre-orders Dead Space 2 at participating retailers in North America. Those that pre-order Dead Space 2 will receive a unique, single-use code to download Dead Space Ignition for free. Dead Space Ignition reveals the events leading up to Dead Space 2 and rewards players with unlocks including an exclusive Hacker suit which can be used by engineer Isaac Clarke in Dead Space 2. Dead Space Ignition can also be purchased as a stand-alone game for $5 October 12 on the PlayStation Network and October 13 on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for 400 MS points.

“Dead Space fans are hungry for more Necromorph action and we’re thrilled that they don’t have to wait until January to get their fix. Dead Space Ignition is a great way to jump back into the Dead Space universe while the Visceral development team completes the final stages of Dead Space 2,” said Steve Papoutsis, Executive Producer, Dead Space franchise. “Dead Space Ignition will show fans what happens in the hours leading up to the beginning of Dead Space 2 with gameplay that is fast-paced and accessible. It’s a fun way to dig deeper into the fiction, while allowing core fans to give Isaac Clarke an edge in Dead Space 2.”

Dead Space Ignition combines an interactive comic-style story with three unique hacking games; Hardware Crack, Trace Route and System Override. Each game offers a fun arcade experience that will challenge players with puzzles and twitch gameplay. Dead Space Ignition features a unique “Choose Your Own Adventure” type narrative, allowing players to survive the initial Necromorph outbreak on the Sprawl in multiple ways, with four different endings. The story was written by Antony Johnston, the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of comics, graphic novels, video games and books including Wasteland, and Daredevil.

Dead Space 2 will offer its own unique take on multiplayer, which is intensely gruesome and completely grounded in the Dead Space universe and fiction. Dead Space 2 will feature four-versus-four gameplay with an objective based multiplayer, across five unique locations throughout the Sprawl.

Not only will players have the chance to play as the Sprawl Security Team, but they will have a chance to see the other side of the coin and play as the evil Necromorph forces. Players will be able to play as four different Necromorph characters, each with its own unique gameplay style: The Pack, The Lurker, The Spitter, and the newly famous Puker.

In DS2 MP, the Sprawl Security Team will have specific, unique objectives across five different maps which will be focused on eradicating the Necromorph forces and restoring safety across the Sprawl. On the other hand, the Necromorphs must stalk, trap, and devour the Sprawl Security Team and prevent them from completing their mission.

Dead Space 2 multiplayer will also feature an entire level progression metagame in which players will unlock new weapons, suit skins, weapon upgrades, as well as gameplay characteristics that will build on the core mechanics of each Necromorph.