Dead Space 'remains an important IP to EA'

Responding to claims that the Dead Space series has effectively been axed after missing its sales targets, Electronic Arts has said the franchise remains an "important" intellectual property for the publisher.

A report published earlier today by VideoGamer suggested EA has ceased investing in the series' fourth numbered instalment, which it claimed had been in pre-production at Visceral Montreal, after Dead Space 3 underwhelmed at retail.

EA told us in a statement this afternoon: "While we have not announced sales for Dead Space 3, we are proud of the game and the franchise remains an important IP to EA."

The publisher admitted last year that it was examining ways to broaden the franchise's appeal, with EA Labels president Frank Gibeau telling CVG: "Ultimately you need to get to audience sizes of around five million to really continue to invest in an IP like Dead Space.

"Anything less than that and it becomes quite difficult financially given how expensive it is to make games and market them."