TheResident Evilfranchise is usually associated with inventing the survival horror genre. While the term was first used for this series, the first gamedrew inspiration from many games before it, includingSweet Home.TheResident Evilseries has since had an influence on a number of games and continued to dominate the horror genre (although it deviated somewhat with more action-packed gameplay inRE5/RE6). However, there is a surprisingly entwined history between theResident Evil, Dead Space,andSystem Shockfranchises. Not only did these three series influence each other, but they also had direct ramifications on each other’s development.
System Shockis noted for having many spiritual successors, includingBioShock, Deus Ex,andPrey,though it is definitely usually less associated withResident EvilandDead Space. That being said, the three have developed a reciprocal influence over each other. For context,System Shockwas released in 1994, the firstResident Evilcame out in 1998, andDead Space wasreleased in 2008. Considering the upcoming live-actionResident Evilfilm, arecently announced live-actionSystem ShockTV show,Dead Space, andSystem Shockremakes in the works, the closely linked history is more evident now than ever.
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It’s well known thatDead Spacedrew inspiration from titles such asResident EvilandSilent Hill.However, there has long been a rumor thatDead Spacewas originally a thirdSystem Shock.Michael Condrey disavowed this rumor, saying thatSystem Shockand its sequel were definitely a big influence, but the title was never officially attached.
However, one of the game’s designers, Ben Wanat confirmed that at one pointthe team did want to make a sequel toSystem ShockuntilResident Evil 4was released. More on that below, but regardless of whether it was intended to be an actualSystem Shockgame or not, the influence ofSystem ShockonDead Spaceis very clear, from the isolated paranoia-inducing setting, to its blend of sci-fi and horror.
The rights toSystem Shocknow belong to Nightdive Studios, but the games were published by EA (or a subsidiary).Visceral Games, who createdDead Space,are also owned by EA, and so before they had the hit IP ofDead Space,it makes sense the development team was exploring other franchises published by EA. While, as mentioned,System Shockhas a tonne of spiritual successors, this case is interesting asDead Spacecould have been aSystem Shockgame, and while the influence ofSystem Shockis still abundantly clear from the game, it wasResident Evilthat became its main influence.
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Glen Schofield, the executive producer forDead Spacehas been pretty open about how muchResident Evilinfluenced this game, and in particularResident Evil 4.As it had come out recently before development onDead Space,it was the gameplay mechanics ofResident Evil 4that had the most significant impact on the gameplay ofDead Space.Schofield has stated in multiple interviews that the game was even referred to as “Resident Evilin space” to encapsulate the atmosphere and gameplay experience they were aiming for.The upcomingDead Spaceremakeis also reported to be looking toResident Evilfor inspiration.
Essentially, the team behindDead Spacewanted to create an isolated survival horror in spacethat was as effective asResident Evil.Dead Spacethen became an important entry into the survival horror genre in its own right, and went on to influence future survival horrors. However,Dead Spacealso draws inspiration from one of the most influential sci-fi horrors in gaming,System Shock.
As mentioned earlier,System Shockis four yearsResident Evil’ssenior, and considered by some as an earlier survival horror game. CertainlyResident Evilwould not be what it is without precursor games likeSystem Shock.Dead Spacemay have once been aSystem Shocksequel, but even as its own franchise, it was only possible thanks to the history of games that have come before it, and the mechanics they introduced.
Resident Evil and System Shock
No genre has defined parameters, and there are multiple different academic and critical approaches to genre. The question of whetherSystem Shockcounts as a survival horroris dependent on whether it can be retroactively defined as such, since the phrase was only coined withResident Evil.One of the main innovationsSystem Shockis praised for is introducing a more narrative-focused FPS, as it was uncommon at the time.
Resident Evilwould later delve somewhat into more fast-paced shooting action in its 5th and 6th games. The horror created inSystem ShockandResident Evilis similar in many respects, and the temporal proximity to each other means they would have some unavoidable influence on each other.
WhileSystem ShockprecededResident Evilin the game world,Resident Evilhad explored the live-action world long beforeSystem Shockwould. In particular, the upcomingResident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon Cityis likely to have a huge influence on theSystem Shocktv show, particularly as a live-action adaptation of video game horror. Furthermore, the themes in both games are so similar, with mutated enemies, corrupt shadowy corporations, and a confined, claustrophobic setting. As doesDead Space,which is getting a remake afterResident Evilhas had multiple successful ones.
Ultimately, it’s impossible to know what any of these games would have been without the other. The fact is they are three directly related franchises in video game history that have continued mutual inspiration to this day. WhileResident Evilis certainly the most successful franchise of the three, it could not have happened without preceding games likeSystem Shock.Dead Spacefurther emphasizes this link by utilizing elements of them both, but still created a unique franchise that could on to have an influence of its own.
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