Here's how "the best Friday the 13th film" inspired a scrapped Dead Island 2 mechanic in a game that's re-flipping the script on zombie fiction

GamesHorrorDead Island 2Here’s how “the best Friday the 13th film” inspired a scrapped Dead Island 2 mechanic in a game that’s re-flipping the script on zombie fictionWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. GamesHorrorDead Island 2Here’s how “the best Friday the 13th film” inspired a scrapped Dead Island 2 mechanic in a game that’s re-flipping the script on zombie fictionWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Deep Silver) My conversation with Dan Evans-Lawes, tech art director forDead Island 2over at Dambuster Studios, almost gets off on the wrong sawn-off foot. “We did, at one point, have the idea of being able to freeze zombies – so you can get zombies wet and then [do a] liquid nitrogen type thing. I don’t know if you’ve seen the best Friday the 13th film, Jason X?” I hold myself back from arguing the case for Freddy vs Jason and let him finish. “In Jason X, there’s that amazing scene where he freezes that woman’s head and smashes it, and also, a similar scene at the end of Demolition Man. We were definitely like, ‘well, that could be cool,’ but that didn’t make it into [the game].” Gnarly, garish, and deliriously macabre, this scrapped Dead Island 2 freeze mechanic perfectly reflects the game’s artistic roots in thenear-comedic gore of 80s horror. Namely, the practical effects involved in pulling them off. It’s a fascination that has long inspired Evans, both as a horror fan and a game developer, and partly fuels Dead Island 2’s mission statement: to bring old-school zombies back into focus. Heads will roll (Image credit: Deep Silver) Welcome to Hell-A(Image credit: Deep Silver)Dead Island 2 review: “A one note thrill, but it’s a note that absolutely sings” Welcome to Hell-A (Image credit: Deep Silver)Dead Island 2 review: “A one note thrill, but it’s a note that absolutely sings” (Image credit: Deep Silver) Dead Island 2 review: “A one note thrill, but it’s a note that absolutely sings” “I remember watching Return of the Living Dead…and just absolutely loving it,” Evans says of his emergent, 14-year-old self’s initial interest in horror movie violence. “I’d never seen anything like it before in my life. I loved the sort of attitude of it, that blend of being funny but also genuinely quite horrific.” He also points to memorable non-zombie movies, too. “Robocop was another one that I watched at an early age [featuring] extreme practical effects. The melting man was a big influence on trying to get all the melting effects working well in Dead Island 2, because I’d never seen anyone properlymeltingpeople in a video game before.” As the technical art director for one of the goriest andbest zombie gamesof recent years, Evans knows better than anyone that the devil really is in the detail – especially when it comes to Dead Island 2’s commitment to anatomical precision. “One of the things that I did was material effects,” explains Evans. “When you cut into a zombie, there’s a technique for modeling the various layers of skin, fat, and then muscle at the bottom, and then you go through to the skeleton, and all the internal organs. That sort of gradient through the flesh is something that I did in the materials, and so in order to get that gradient right, I looked at some surgery pictures because there you’ve got a very good cross section of a person.” Surgical images proved a more ethical alternative to staring at real-life gore, but a key inspiration? “Practical effects from films, obviously.” (Image credit: Deep Silver) The decision to make Dead Island 2 a thoroughly gory affair was a major one, both for Dambuster and for the artistic direction of the game as a long-awaited sequel. To Evans, the gore became the main draw of the project. “When we first got the project at Dambuster, being completely honest, my first reaction was ‘Ugh, it’s a zombie game.’ Like, there’s a lot of zombie games, you know what I mean? I’d absolutely loved zombie films when I was a teenager…but more recently, I’d kind of gone off them because I thought it had become oversaturated.” Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more Once more, with bleeding (Image credit: Deep Silver) You make the act of killing zombies fun just in and of itself, without any of the rest of the game’s trappings around them.Dan Evans-Lawes, Dambuster Studios You make the act of killing zombies fun just in and of itself, without any of the rest of the game’s trappings around them. As much as all the video game gore entrances me, it’s impossible to ignore the context of Dead Island 2 as the continuation of an existing franchise – and potentially, a reboot if it. Despite being another first-person zombie game, “Dying Light went off in one direction, which was very much around parkour and that side of things,” says Evans. “So we didn’t want to do the same thing. That was definitely a conscious decision, to not go in that direction and focus instead on the up-close-and-personal stuff.” Then, it became a matter of taking the tech work and presenting it to the publisher as an example of what Dambuster’s Dead Island 2 could be. Playing off the ragdoll physics as seen in the first game, Dead Island 2 goes all-in on the momentum and physicality of zombie-slaying. “Something that I really like in games is when you interact with something and it reacts in a way that you expect it to,” Evans says. “This is where we put lots of effort into the guts being floppy, and the eyeballs and jaws dangling off, because all that gives you that extra sense of impact. Everything feels like it is reacting in a way that feels believable, but exaggerated. I think that idea of just being able to play with the zombie was a big thing that I thought was important, because you make the act of killing zombies fun just in and of itself, without any of the rest of the game’s trappings around them.” (Image credit: Deep Silver) I really don’t like it when they remake classic movies…but with games, it feels a little different.Dan Evans-Lawes, Dambuster Studios I really don’t like it when they remake classic movies…but with games, it feels a little different. Did things ever get too real for the Dambuster art team, or for playtesters in the game’s earlier stages? Well, sort of. “I think we did have one employee leave because it was too violent,” Evans laughs. “Only one. In general though, in terms of how it was different to Dead Island 1, I kind of feel like that DI1 had that [same] knock-about fun kind of vibe to it. Generally, people felt that DI2 kept the same kind of feel, but just made it a bit more modern mechanically and a little bit more fluid. I don’t remember anybody being like, ‘Oh, this is like nothing like Dead Island, what are you doing?’ People felt like it was a good progression.” This feeling of progression is perhaps what sets Dead Island 2 apart. It’s less a remake and more of a chance to reboot the series under a new developer, saving it from the scrutiny usually applied to remakes and reboots of popular horror games once a passionate audience gets the chance to pull them to pieces. The culprit is almost always a deep love for the original, whether that be a beloved movie or video game – but what makes the genre so magnetic, enough to trigger theremake renaissancewe’re experiencing right now? One reason for this difference is hinted at in Evans' own job title. “Technology moves on quite a lot [over time], and I think technology is more heavily integrated into a game than a film. I feel like sometimes there are games where [you know] it’s a great game, but the fact that it was made at the time it was made holds it back a little bit – which is, I think, much less true for film. So I think that there are arguments for remaking games. I’d always prefer a sequel, though,” Evans muses. “Just make something that’s a bit different.” From Silent Hill 2 to Slitterhead, here are all theupcoming horror gamesto watch for in 2024 and beyond. 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Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5 Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”