IGN: Unitology isn't just something in the Dead Space world, it's what everything we know about revolves around. We set them up so there's no conflict or overlap, and then let them flesh out the details. The people we work with, when we hire the writers, they get the bible, they get to see all the work that's been done so far. So they come from a single fountain that understands everything. All the movies and books and comics that have been produced, I've produced the story for those. I'm in charge of all that, then I lens it through Ben Wanat, my Creative Director. IGN: How do you keep other writers in line so they abide by it? When people work on the comics and movies and games, do they answer to you? CB: So far I've been able to keep the empire under control (laughs). To answer your original question, we do have a full lore bible. The closest thing is the church level in Dead Space 2 where there's a lot of explanation about how Unitology came to be. If there are any passages that've appeared they were probably written as they were needed.

Is there a collection of it, like a real Altman book? Chuck Beaver: We reference that there is Unitology scripture of some kind, but we don't have the literature written out yet. IGN: I was going to ask about a story bible, but now I'm more curious if you guys have literal Bible stuff. The Church of Unitology isn't exactly a welcoming place. Spoiler Warning for the entire Dead Space story is now in effect.

What follows involves extremely detailed specifics about the Dead Space lore, including the games and expanded universe. Beaver spilled on Unitology's creation, where it's going, and what role religion plays in video game storytelling.

We picked Beaver's brain about Unitology, the in-game religion formed by fanatical followers of Michael Altman they worship Altman's 'Marker,' an alien obelisk he discovered on Earth. Story Producer Chuck Beaver relies on the ever-evolving nature of religion to drive the franchise forward. Every one of these elements - as well as characters, settings, events, and enemies - ties back to a singular thing that differentiates Dead Space from most everything else in the medium. Its masterful pacing, intense combat, and frightening atmosphere are slaves to the story Visceral put at the front of its design. Dead Space 2 earned a nomination for Best Action Game during IGN's Best of 2011 awards for more reasons than its excellent action.

Dead space unitology church