The single-player-only model of games could have had its day, according EA Games' label president Frank Gibeau, who believes that "online is where the innovation, and the action, is at."

His comments tocome in light of the addition of multiplayer to Dead Space 2 , following the original's well-received mix of solo sci-fi and survival horror. "It's not only about multiplayer, it's about being connected," he said, "I firmly believe that the way the products we have are going they, need to be connected online. Multiplayer is one form of that.""I volunteer you to speak to EA's studio heads; they'll tell you the same thing," Gibeau continued, "They're very comfortable moving the discussion towards how we make connected gameplay – be it co-operative or multiplayer or online services – as opposed to fire-and-forget, packaged goods only, single-player, 25-hours-and you're out. I think that model is finished." Dead Space 2's inclusion of multiplayer came in for some criticism when first announced, though developer Visceral Games was quick to defend it."I'm very proud for what the multiplayer team has done; I think it's true to our franchise; it's unique and extremely Dead Space," Dead Space 2's executive producer Steve Papoustis, "I think once people get a chance to experience the single-player game and see we didn't water down anything there to give them multiplayer, I think they're going to be happy."Dead Space 2 promises to be one of 2011's first big blockbusters – and