Dead Island 2: How Dambuster Studios Gave an Undead Series New Life

Deep Silver Dambuster Studios has been working on Dead Island 2 since 2018. When we were first asked by our publisher, Deep Silver, to take on the project, we jumped at the opportunity to be a part of a franchise we already loved and respected so much.

With so many Dead Island fans already in our ranks and a history of creating first-person, narrative-driven games, it seemed like a perfect fit. We had our own unique vision for Dead Island 2, so over the past five years, we have lovingly built the game from the ground up. We haven’t been in “development hell” at Dambuster. Instead, we’ve taken our time to meticulously craft a game that we feel is worthy of its namesake.

We’re also proud to say that we’ve done so without crunching or putting our employee’s health and well-being at risk in the process. After all, happy devs make great games!

What Makes Dead Island So Special?

Ever since George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead hit theatres back in 1968, zombies have been at the forefront of cinema, television, literature, and – more recently – video games.

In a horde of zombie-based media, it can be hard to stand out from the crowd, but since the first title in the series was released in 2011, Dead Island has managed to carve out its own identity. Putting an emphasis on visceral melee combat in a truly scenic setting, the game achieved cult-like status on the Xbox 360 for its fun twist on zombie slaying.

Why Did Dead Island Need a Sequel?

Revealed to the world back in 2014, the E3 trailer for Dead Island 2 lit a fire in zombie slayers’ bellies worldwide, which has since ceased to go out. The short trailer also introduced the location of LA, which, with its sun-soaked beaches, iconic landmarks, and rich and famous residents, we felt was the perfect location for a zombie outbreak.

Some fans placed their pre-orders immediately after the show and have held onto them for the last nine years. The game we have poured all our efforts into over the last five years is for them.

The Community

As we just mentioned, the other thing that makes Dead Island unique is the community around it. You’ll struggle to find a bunch of people more passionate and dedicated to their chosen franchise.

To this day, the servers are active, fans continue to create their own artwork involving the characters, and the forums are still alive with folks conjuring up theories surrounding the game’s story. We know that fans have been waiting patiently for Dead Island 2, and we are proud to deliver them the game they deserve.

The Journey Ahead

Once the playground of the rich and the famous, LA is now overrun with flesh-feasting freaks. During your time in the city – which the locals have taken to calling HELL-A – You’ll slay your way across various locations including the jaw-dropping mansions of Beverly Hills and the iconic Venice Boardwalk.

Sending the undead to their final resting place has never been so much fun. Dead Island 2’s proprietary gore system, F.L.E.S.H (Fully Locational Evisceration System for Humanoids), and the expansive arsenal of fully moddable weapons at your disposal make tearing zombies apart a frightfully fun affair.

A New Mystery to Unravel

LA is the center of a zombie outbreak, the city has been locked down by the military, and you’ve been bitten. However, for some unknown reason, you aren’t turning fully feral like the rest. Instead, you’re thriving on the infection. During your time in HELL-A, you’ll search for answers about the origins of the outbreak and your newfound zombie status.

See You in HELL-A

All there is left to say is that we will see you in HELL-A! Dead Island 2 is out now and is available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. You can pick it up from your local retailer or digitally via the Microsoft Store.

Contents

DEAD ISLAND 2 GOLD EDITION

Deep Silver

☆☆☆☆☆
61

★★★★★

Get it now

Dead Island 2 is thrilling First-Person Action RPG, stylish, vibrant and flooded with zombie infection. Explore iconic, gore-drenched Los Angeles. Meet larger-than-life characters. Slay countless foes in exquisitely bloody detail. And evolve to become the ultimate Zombie Slayer!

The Gold Edition includes the Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game, two premium character packs, Golden and Pulp Weapons Packs and Expansion Pass.

The Expansion Pass gives access to two brand new chapters of the story coming after release. Pre-order now and get the Memories of Banoi Pack.

FEATURES

Explore HELL-A – Dead Island 2 takes players across the most iconic locations of the City of Angels, now stained with horror, in an exciting pulp journey from the verdant suburbia of Beverly Hills to the quirky promenade of Venice Beach.

Brutal Melee Sandbox – Combat delivers the most intense, visceral and gory first person experience possible, with plenty of weapons and tactical (and brutal) options to chew your way through the zombie horde. Whether you’re slicing, smashing, burning or ripping, we want you to truly feel it.

Be the Ultimate Zombie Slayer – There are six characters to choose from, each with their own unique personality and dialogues. You can fully customize the abilities of each Slayer, with our brand-new skill system allowing you to re-spec instantly and try out the craziest builds.

Zombie Infestation – Ready to experience the most advanced dismemberment system in games? Our LA is crawling with zombies that look and react realistically. These mutated wretches are the reanimated, rotten heart of Dead Island 2 with dozens of distinct zombie types, each with their own mutations, attacks and hundreds of visual LA-themed variants. Our monsters are relentless, challenging, and true Los Angelinos. Will you be able to survive?

A Cinematic Co-op Adventure – As a proper RPG experience, Dead Island 2 offers plenty of exciting quests, a crazy cast of characters, and a thrilling pulp story, to truly immerse you in its twisted universe. Re-playability is guaranteed. Add an over-the-top co-op mode for up to three players, and you’ll stay in LA for a very long (and gory) trip.

Alexa Game Control – Use your voice to swap weapons, set waypoints, goad zombies, and much more, available first on Dead Island 2. Play with any microphone or headset, no Alexa device required. UK, US and Canada (English) only.

DEAD ISLAND 2 DELUXE EDITION

Deep Silver

☆☆☆☆☆
145

★★★★★

Get it now

The Deluxe Edition includes the Xbox and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game, two premium character packs, featuring a unique costume and weapon, and the Golden Weapons Pack. Pre-order now and get the Memories of Banoi pack, with two weapons, a special weapon perk and skill card.

The much-loved zombie saga is back with a unique formula of horror, dark humor and over the top zombie-slaying, spanning an epic pulp adventure.

FEATURES

Dead Island 2

Deep Silver

☆☆☆☆☆
162

★★★★★

Get it now

The much-loved zombie saga is back with a unique formula of horror, dark humor and over the top zombie-slaying, spanning an epic pulp adventure.

Pre-order now and get the Memories of Banoi pack, featuring two unique weapons, a special weapon perk and skill card.

FEATURES

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