Visceral Games announced that 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.