Electronic Entertainment Expo - E3 2009

E3 wouldn't be complete without a little bit of controversy. Outside the Los Angeles Convention Center today, a small group of people gathered to protest the upcoming Dante's Inferno game from EA.

Calling EA the 'Electronic Anti-Christ' the protesters chanted "Cross is not a weapon" and "Our high score is in heaven". Their signs read "Hell is Not a Game" and "Trade in Your Playstation for a PrayStration".

They're not here for peace though - several people were roughed up by the protesters as the E3 attendees tried to get into the convention center.

The second in a series of videos from the EA E3 press conference. This video features the Dante's Inferno trailer, a new game from San Francisco-based Visceral Games. The game wont' be out until 2010, but for now you can take a trip to hell with this exclusive trailer.

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Marketing Manager Phil Marineau takes you to Hell and back in this Q&A session for Dante’s Inferno. The upcoming title from EA’s Visceral Games studio is based on the same game engine as the award-winning Dead Space and promises some epic monster-slaying action in the depths of the underworld.

Q: What, roughly, is the story of Dante’s Inferno?
A: Dante’s Inferno is an epic tale of vengeance and redemption through the nine circles of Hell. It’s based on the immensely influential 14th century poem. In the game, you are Dante, a veteran of the Crusades who must chase his beloved Beatrice and try to free her soul from Lucifer’s grasp. As your pursuit takes you deeper into the pits of Hell, you must battle ever more fierce and hideous monsters--while also facing your own sins, a dark family past, and your unforgivable war crimes.

Q: How was the decision made to base a game on a centuries-old book?
A: When you read the poem, Dante maps out hell in a way that plays out perfectly as a level-based video game. He progresses the story through the nine circles of Hell--Limbo, Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Anger, Heresy, Violence, Fraud and Treachery--to face the ultimate boss battle with Satan at the end.

Q: What are some of the game’s highlights in terms of action or game modes?
A: The scythe combat is awesome. Dante uses Death’s scythe as his primary weapon, and with it he becomes a master of brutal melee combat and fends off the monsters and minions of Hell. He also has a cross given to him by Beatrice that gives him holy powers, and he acquires the powers of Hell by defeating certain monsters. He can use those powers against the creatures, and he can also tame, ride and control giant monsters of Hell.

Q: How would you describe the game’s unique visual style?
A: With the help of many great artists like award-winning artist Wayne Barlowe, we created a different look for each of the nine circles of Hell and its inhabitants; so while the game overall has a cohesive visual style, each level and its monsters also look unique. One thing that ties everything together visually is this very cool smoky, inky atmosphere. The effect is very hellish--not in a fire-and-brimstone sense, but more one of the depths of sorrow and despair.

Q: What's the one thought/feeling about the game you want people to come away from E3 with?
A: People are going to walk away with the sense of “epicness” in the game. From crossing the Styx Marsh, to battling through the wedding courtyard of Anger, to approaching the city of Dis on top of Phlegyas and breaking down the city walls, every moment in the game gives a sense of grand scale and epic battles.

Q: What else should people know about Dante’s Inferno?
A: You can always get cool insights and updates on our day-today progress by following us on Twitter at danteteam or on Facebook under The Dante’s Inferno Team. Also, mark July 2nd on your calendar--that's when we’re showing the first live gameplay on Game Trailers TV.