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Dead Space May Not Let You Pause Your Game

February 11, 2008 in News comments 26

EA is considering leaving the pause option out of their upcoming survival horror title, Dead Space, as to keep the game as tense as possible. More info at the source.

You know how when you’re really scared, like seeing what you thought was just a mannequin leave its post in Condemned, or wondering why you can’t back up in BioShock only to turn around and see a splicer blocking your path? And you either pause the game to take a breather and gather your bearings, or you beat the hell out of them in a frenzy of fear with your 2×4/wrench and then pause the game to gather your bearings? Well, in EA’s upcoming Dead Space, this technique to ease the tension and give us enough time to turn on the lights/change underwear may not be an option at all. To force players to deal with the scary situations the survival horror presents, EA may omit this luxury completely, a decision sure to stir up controversy. More info at the source.
Warsun via vitosverdict.com »
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Most recently commented on by on Feb 13, 2008

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  • 0
    Silent Storm Feb 11, 08
    I hope they're not stupid enough to do this. It's going to be quite fun leaving to use the bathroom to come back with my character dead. (not that I'm getting this game anyway)
  • 0
    Blackfalcon Feb 11, 08
    A game where you can't pause the game? That's utterly ridiculous- I doubt EA will be stupid enough to do it, they'd get so much complaints and loads of people wouldn't buy the game.
  • 0
    jmac353 Feb 11, 08
    What a bunch of cry babies. If removing the ability to pause your game makes the game that much more frightening and atmospheric then more power to them.

    No doubt there will be areas where you can stop and take a breather. Also, I really don't think the inability to pause a game is going to reduce sales, that just doesn't make sense.

    "Dude this game looks so awesome! It looks so creepy! Yeah but you can't pause the game. Oh well *bleep* that!"
    Logic FTL?
    • -1
      Final Blade Feb 12, 08
      Oh yes that would awesome right, not. The Pause feature is the main feature of all games. Taking it out just makes the game stupid. I remember how stupid Resident Evil outbreak was with the save feature. You only get one save and once you save and load the game again your save gets erased and you need to start over, how cute. The worst RE game i ever played, epic failure.

      EA does this then they really are stupid.
  • -1
    S v R 2010 Feb 11, 08
    That's a bit dumb. I've never been interested in the game. Sounds ridiculous though.
    • 0
      jmac353 Feb 11, 08
      How does it sound ridiculous? The philosophy behind this is really very simple. Imagine you're watching your favorite scary movie and the scariest part is just about to come up but right before it you pause the movie and get up, turn the lights on, grab something to eat, check the internet for news real quick or something and then come back to your movie. You press play, the monster jumps out and you aren't even affected by it. You were completely taken out of the experience because you stopped playing it and the atmosphere of the movie just completely vanished.

      It translates just as easily into a horror videogame.
  • 6
    Incidnia Feb 11, 08
    I think it will make the game better tbh.
  • 0
    Xenctuary* Feb 11, 08
    This sounds like a pretty unique idea. Play on or don't play at all! If you need to rest from the action, hide out like you would in a real "survivor horror" situation.
  • -1
    BANDITO ATTACK Feb 11, 08
    lol @ "people wouldn't buy the game".
  • 1
    Play ISDF Feb 11, 08
    To be honest, it sounds like a stupid idea. If people want to be scared or have the atmosphere uninterrupted then just don't pause. That's simple. Let everyone else who has to pause for whatever reason freakin pause. Besides pause is handy when something comes up quickly and your unable to save, all you gotta do is just pause and go do whatever, then just come back to it later.
  • 0
    Gamesta100 Feb 11, 08
    ^^^^^^^^
    That's a very good point.What happens if you're in the middle of a very hard boss and all of a sudden an emergency comes up and you have to leave immediately? You then have to just let your character die because of no pause option.
    • -1
      jmac353 Feb 11, 08
      Then you suck it up and start over, because if this emergency is so important that you leave right in the middle of your video game you don't care about not being able to pause. You care about attending to the emergency.
      • 3
        Ekou Feb 11, 08
        There's a pause feature in video games for a reason. Not being able to pause mid-game will be a mighty big downfall. Need a bathroom break? Wait thirty minutes for the next safe zone. Really thirsty? Too bad.

        It doesn't work. People take random five minute breaks. Atmosphere? It's bull, who pauses a game to get their bearings? No one, because generally a player can get to a safe zone to do that. It's a ridiculous concept.
  • 2
    Zero and X Feb 11, 08
    I wanted to get this game,but no pausing sounds like a big turn off for me. Iam a student, I have things to do and since I live with so many people in the house who constantly require my expertise with electronics, I need a pause.
  • 0
    Sayyed Feb 11, 08
    I think this feature is nice. But what do you do if you want to go back to the main menu? or change some settings?
    • 0
      Existenz Feb 12, 08
      D-pad... Select, i mean there are plenty of other ways to bring up a menu without pausing, i mean games like Burnout and Midnight Club: LA could easily have no pause because their menu screen in in-game and assigned to right on the d-pad.
  • 0
    Storm Feb 11, 08
    I also like this idea, though as Ekou pointed out, there are some flaws. Guess they are trying to loosen that gate between games and reality, haha, no pause button. Adds to a 'horror-type' setting and all, but a game is a game.
  • 1
    TurMoiL911 Feb 11, 08
    quote
    Receiving a phone call, the ringing of a doorbell, spilling your drink on the carpet, family member possibly dying etc. are all excellent reasons to pause one’s game.
    Those are the exact same reasons I need to pause the game. Especially the last one.

    Damn it, grandma, I'm trying to play my 360. Have a heart attack later !!!
  • 1
    Kinetic Feb 12, 08
    Sure, it's unique, but it's going to be a real pain in the ass.
  • 1
    Red 9 Feb 12, 08
    Not a great plan. Pausing will not ruin the atmosphere like they say. It just momentarily stops it.
  • 0
    crick Feb 12, 08
    i was already interested in Dead space when Gameinformer had a preview on it, but this just sold the game for me. 8|
  • 3
    Miss Razz Feb 12, 08
    What if I get hungry, need to take a piss, have an emergency, phone rings, etc.?
    People have lives, EA!

    Not having a pause option would be more annoying than anything. Does anyone remember the Ghostbusters 2 game? Sure, the game already sucked, but not having a Pause option only added to the suckiness. It was irritating.

    I'm actually surprised that there are people who think it's a good idea. Of course it will add to the "atmosphere" but it's up to the player whether they want to continue playing or stop for a moment. If they want to break that atmosphere, then why not? It's their problem if they "break the atmosphere". (though personally, I think it's pretty hard to enjoy a game's atmosphere when you're busting for a piss).
  • 0
    Seeker X Feb 12, 08
    Well, I dunno, I'd say they should go with it. But they'll wanna work on a constant autosave feature just in case. I've had those moments where I've had to pause a game just to catch my breath from a scary moment...now this game needs to be scary...or extremely gross in order for this feature to work well.
  • 0
    Bale Fire* Feb 12, 08
    I think this is a interesting tactic. I guess it's a way to increase the atmosphere. Could be crap though
  • 1
    Sonic Flash Feb 12, 08
    After years of online games I probably wouldn't notice, or would turn the game off more.
    • 0
      jmac353 Feb 13, 08
      Interesting perspective .

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