Gamescom 2011

Dante's Inferno ignites Feb. 9, Bad Company 2 marches on March 2

Brendan Sinclair
By Brendan Sinclair, Senior Editor

GamesCom 2009: Electronic Arts firms up its first quarter release schedule with concrete dates for devilish action game, destruction-heavy military shooter.

Electronic Arts is planning for a packed first quarter of 2010. Last week, the publisher dated its upcoming mercenary action game Army of Two: The 40th Day, dropping the co-op-friendly sequel into stores January 12. Today, EA kicked off GamesCom in Cologne, Germany, by staking its claim to February and March as well, dating Dante's Inferno for February 9 (February 12 in Europe) and setting Bad Company 2 for March 2 (March 5 in Europe).

Dante will arrive just in time for Valentine's Day.

Dante will arrive just in time for Valentine's Day.

Like the epic poem it's based on, Dante's Inferno follows a descent through the nine circles of hell--limbo, lust, gluttony, greed, anger, violence, heresy, fraud, and treachery--where a sinner's soul suffers for all eternity. Rather than seeing the protagonist as a passive visitor, the game reimagines Dante as a fierce scythe-wielding warrior who must slay all manner of demonic creatures to rescue his ladylove Beatrice. The first part of a six-issue comic adaptation of the game will arrive from DC Comics/Wildstorm on December 9, and an animated feature from Starz Media will accompany the game at its release date. Dante's Inferno is set for release on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PSP.

A direct sequel to last year's console-exclusive game, Bad Company 2 picks back up with the derelict B Company, which comprises a fictitious US military's expendable misfits and outcasts. Destructible environments, which were a core component of the original game, will again play front and center in Bad Company 2, thanks to further revisions to its proprietary Frostbite game engine. EA also promises a new special emphasis on vehicular combat, with 15 different rides from which to choose. Bad Company 2 is set for release on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC.

For more on GamesCom, check out GameSpot's continuing coverage live from Germany.

Brendan Sinclair
By Brendan Sinclair, Senior Editor

Brendan Sinclair has been a games journalist since 1999. His tastes are eclectic, though he has a definite affinity for games with arcade roots. He's Canadian, but has also been at home in Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, and San Francisco.

58 Comments

  • Wolfie600

    Posted Aug 24, 2009 7:56 am GMT

    The year is not yet over and they already gave releases for next year? Seriously those are dumb release dates.
    2009 will still have awesome releases i hope.

    Mw2 , Halo:ODST are on my to buy list.

  • kamizuka

    Posted Aug 24, 2009 3:45 am GMT

    well i hope this game is similar to god of war, but i just find it weird they are lunching it only a mounth be4 Gow3

  • Imperator2007

    Posted Aug 23, 2009 10:09 pm GMT

    Dante's Inferno is going to be awesome, despite its similarities to God of War. Its definitely not a blatant rip off of God of War. There are certainly game play similarities between the two, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. If a style of gaming is good, it should be explored further. Its like saying every first person shooter is a rip off of doom, for example, because it popularized that gaming genre. Also, God of War wasn't the first game of its type. We don't hear people whining about its similarities to Devil May Cry, so lets just wait and see if its as good as I hope it will be. Why pass on a great game because you feel its too similar to another great game? That's just stupid.

  • advocacy

    Posted Aug 23, 2009 8:46 am GMT

    Dante's Inferno is going to be wicked sick.

  • denicola_a_god

    Posted Aug 21, 2009 1:37 pm GMT

    omg 2010 is going to absolutely packed with sick games i cannot wait

  • chimera23

    Posted Aug 20, 2009 9:14 pm GMT

    MW2 or BC2 :S:S:S:S I think i will be getting both

  • quickdarthnick

    Posted Aug 20, 2009 12:25 pm GMT

    I've been playing battlefield since 1942 came out in 202 for the PC.....I was non to happy to hear that BC1 would only be for consoles, however I am very appreciative to EA since the realized there mistake and are bringing BC2 to PC.....its gonna OWN.

  • LosDaddie

    Posted Aug 20, 2009 8:33 am GMT

    Thank you, EA!!

    Going to pre-order soon

  • Excedra

    Posted Aug 20, 2009 6:44 am GMT

    dantes gonna own....

  • Excedra

    Posted Aug 20, 2009 6:44 am GMT

    dantes gonna own....

  • coopere

    Posted Aug 19, 2009 8:58 am GMT

    that is my birthday. this will make a good present.

  • kamizuka

    Posted Aug 19, 2009 6:27 am GMT

    @dylan417 IF and IF that hapend it would and might fail for the Ps3 sales, but i really like Dante's Inferno and GOW3 because all games should be like this, not the Stupid FPS: you buy the game for 50$ and only play the game ones

  • dylan417 posted Aug 18, 2009 9:41 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    dylan417

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 9:41 pm GMT (hide)

    if God of War III comes out anywhere near Dante's Inferno, Dante's Inferno is going to fail.

  • dylan417

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 9:36 pm GMT

    looking at the new Bad Co. 2 screens, this game should be awesome.

  • DFBTG

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 9:01 pm GMT

    Dante's Inferno. Really looking forward to that game. If the gameplay and narrative can stand up to the creature and level designs, I think we're golden.

  • NuKkU

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 7:08 pm GMT

    Dante's Inferno i have a bad feeling about but Bad Company should sell wonders for EA

  • Pete5506

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 6:12 pm GMT

    Sweet good to see that BC2 has date

  • Hakud0ushi

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 6:08 pm GMT

    Awesome news. \o/

  • Sins-of-Mosin

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 5:06 pm GMT

    I might need a break from Borderlands by then.

  • taylormadederek posted Aug 18, 2009 4:59 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    taylormadederek

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 4:59 pm GMT (hide)

    I wont be getting either at launch. They really do not have anything too spectacular to offer by the looks of it.