Visceral Games performed a focus test for Dead Space 2 using subjects not typically in its demographic: Moms.
Gamers familiar with the horror and shooter genres would probably have a pretty standard reaction to Dead Space 2. Visceral Games decided to take a look at what another sect of humanity thought of the game, just to get an idea of its broadened appeal. Apparently, “mothers” are not big fans.
At first I thought the focus test was a joke featuring actors, but I seem to be mistaken. Visceral Games really did subject over 200 moms from the “heart of conservative America” to scenes from Dead Space 2, and it went about as well as anyone could have expected.
The “most action-packed, violent, and disturbing” footage Dead Space 2 has to offer made many of the mothers jump in terror. “That is awful,” one woman said. Another appeared to be posessed, saying: “Do you want to have fun… killing somebody?” While I think a couple of the moms enjoyed the footage, most of them said it broke their hearts, while one acknowledged: “I don’t understand what’s coming out of their mouth,” speaking of the game’s demonic vomit.
The strongest reaction to Dead Space 2 was from a woman that called the game a “dangerous, mind-numbing, mind-altering weapon.” I wouldn’t go that far, but it is a pretty scary game.
You’ll be able to make your own mother think you’re a possessed devil worshipper when Dead Space 2 is released for the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 on January 25, 2011.
