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News

  EA Officially Unveils Dante’s Inferno
by David Jenkins
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December 15, 2008
 
EA Officially Unveils  Dante’s Inferno
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EA has confirmed that it's working on a video game adaptation of Dante Aligheri's 14th century epic poem The Divine Comedy, following earlier rumors to that effect.

No release dates nor platform details were announced, but it's now clear that Dead Space developer EA Redwood Shores will be creating the game, based on the first third of the poem, commonly referred to as Dante’s Inferno. The original describes in detail the nine circles of Hell, and was in part an allegory for contemporary Florentine and Italian politics.

A short teaser trailer of the game was first revealed at the 2008 Spike Video Game Awards, and is currently available at the game's official website. It shows an armored, apparently medieval warrior wielding a scythe-like weapon, and attacking one of the damned with a crucifix.

EA describes the game as a third-person action adventure, but no further gameplay details have been offered. The nine circles of hell described in the original poem appear to play a major part in the game, with the trailer briefly illustrating limbo, as well as circles devoted to the sins of lust, gluttony, greed, wrath, heresy, violence, fraud and treachery.

"The time is right for the world of interactive entertainment to adapt this literary masterpiece, and to re-introduce Dante to an audience that, until now, may have been unfamiliar with the remarkable details of this great work of art," said Jonathan Knight, executive producer for Dante’s Inferno. "It’s the perfect opportunity to fuse great gameplay with great story."

The original rumors of the game, first published by Hollywood trade paper Variety, suggested that EA was also in talks with Paramount, Universal, MGM and New Regency over the movie rights for the game. The initial announcement from EA, however, makes no reference to any movie adaptation.
 
   
 
Comments

Jake Romigh
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Once again I have to say I fear for this game. How do you translate a classic book with little to no real action in it to be an action-adventure title?

Tim Carter
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Simple. Add a few weapons, some cool power-ups, some demons to gib. Voila!

Martin Herink
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While choosing to tread carefully lest I am forced to eat my own words upon release, I think EA has tapped a truly versatile body of literary work that lends itself perfectly to translation (I mean come on - it's a journey through hell for a loved one how many times has that theme been done and redone in other media without ever truly giving a nod to the source).

Yes yes... it would be downright silly to expect them to follow the poem's pacing in any significant way, but that's not the point of adaptation. The imagery that Dante evokes is truly unique - even to this day; as is the story of 'Dante' and 'Beatrice'.

As a kind of narrative superstructure this has has a lot of potential for games (not to mention the sheer coolness of this poem's mythic plot) and the vision to which it lends itself - the progression from the darkest forest of dispair to heaven itself is something that has fascinated people since pre-history.

I really hope this is the start of a new chapter for EA.

As a designer, this kind of project would make me piddle with excitement for its potential. Hopefully it won't turn into Doom 4 or Quake 5.


Tom Newman
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This IP does have great potential, and I was very skeptical of EA taking it on, but if it ends up being only 80% as good as Dead Space, it will still be a stellar title. looking forward to this one for sure.

Frank Smith
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Does this not totally scream GOD OF WAR.

Mark Angus
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Well in terms of inspiration for the story and even characters this game is exactly like Devil May Cry the original. The story line for Devil May Cry seemed to be created from this poem, there are some obvious links to it.

The character's of Dante and Nelo Angelo are seen as Dante and Vergil. Beatrice takes the form of Trish and Mundus seems to be Lucifer. Even the castle in the game resembles the castle located in the first ring of hell which contains all the people who don't believe in god.

Considering this game may be a third person action game, I wouldn't be surprized if it turns out like Devil May Cry.

Just reading the description Devil May Cry comes to mind.

Also God of War and Devil May Cry have alot of similarities so good point Frank Smith but I believe it is much closer to Devil May Cry.

Philippe Ringuette-Angrignon
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This is a good idea, but after seeing the teaser I don't think it will be a good execution.

David Delanty
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Let's see. Nine levels. Each with a different theme. Many with a boss character lording over them. Every one with its own method to progress through it. A reward at the end of the journey.

And as of now, not a SINGLE game has been made yet of Dante's Inferno?

Don't know whether I should praise EA for taking on this project, or lament that nobody else has in the past.

Tim Carter
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Just saw the trailer. Yes... Just more grist for the action game shooter mill. Taking the profound ideas of the first poem and reducing them to a lot of shock effects.

I would trust it if were a project being driven by a name designer driving it, but instead it's yet another "IP" being driven by a corporation.

I wonder if Dante would think of his poem as an "IP"?

Mickey Mullasan
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I'm sure Dante would find us to be very silly amateur creative types for even considering "converting" his work out of its native form and into something trite and conformist. He was working from a source most of us could never understand, and the cultural significance and true meaning of poetry from that era is savagely changed by time along with our own new cultural mindset that is far removed from theirs.

Tim Carter
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A cultural mindset far removed from theirs...? Dante's Inferno contains truths that still stand up today.

Kathryn DeWitt Fletcher
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This was part of my master's thesis, actually (www.chthonicpoetics.com). Several games have been based on the Inferno, to varying degrees. Devil May Cry and Doom were heavily influenced by it, although not technically adaptations. The Lost interpreted the poem more literally, and also took the 3rd person action-adventure approach that EA's using. The first one I know of, though, was Dante's Inferno, a 2D scroller for the C64.


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