EA Redwood Shores

EA Redwood Shores was a game development studio owned by Electronic Arts, known for creating iconic titles before its rebranding as Visceral Games in 2009. The studio played a crucial role in shaping third-person action games, with its most famous work being the Dead Space series.

Company History

Founded in 1998, EA Redwood Shores was established when Electronic Arts moved its headquarters to Redwood Shores, California. Initially, the studio focused on developing licensed games based on popular franchises, including James Bond and The Lord of the Rings.

In 2008, the studio gained recognition for its original intellectual property, Dead Space, a survival horror game that set new standards for atmospheric storytelling. Following its success, EA rebranded the studio as Visceral Games in 2009, shifting its focus to third-person action titles.

Notable Games

EA Redwood Shores developed a variety of games across multiple platforms, including PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. Some of its most recognized titles include:

• Future Cop: LAPD (1998) – A futuristic police action game.
• James Bond 007: Agent Under Fire (2001) – A first-person shooter based on the Bond franchise.
• The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) – An action-adventure adaptation of the film.
• The Godfather (2006) – A crime-based open-world game inspired by the classic film.
• Dead Space (2008) – A critically acclaimed survival horror game.

Shutdown and Legacy

After its rebranding as Visceral Games, the studio continued to develop major titles, including Dante’s Inferno and Battlefield Hardline. However, on October 17, 2017, EA announced the closure of Visceral Games, citing a shift in development priorities.

The studio’s final project, a story-driven Star Wars game, was moved to EA Vancouver, marking the end of EA Redwood Shores’ legacy. Despite its closure, the studio’s contributions to gaming remain influential, particularly through the Dead Space franchise.