Dead Island (series)
Survive a zombie-infested island with melee combat.
Dead Island is a series of action role-playing survival horror video games from publisher Deep Silver, playable on Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and mobile devices running iOS and Android. The core challenge involves staying alive in a zombie-overrun open world island, with combat heavily focused on melee weapons. The series includes three main titles, the newest of which came out on April 21, 2023.
The first Dead Island game was revealed at E3 in 2006 but didn't launch until 2011, hitting North America on September 6, PAL regions on September 9, and Japan on October 20. A standalone expansion, *Dead Island: Riptide*, followed in 2013, and a proper sequel, *Dead Island 2*, arrived in 2023. A spin-off called *Escape Dead Island* came out in 2014. A MOBA-style game, *Dead Island: Epidemic*, entered early access on Steam in May 2014 as a free-to-play title, but its open beta was canceled in 2015, and the game never saw a full release before being shut down entirely.
Beyond the games, a single-issue comic was released by IDW Publishing. It follows investigative journalist Roger Howard as he probes illegal resource exploitation on Banoi Island. In the comic, Howard arrives at the Royal Palms Resort, targets manager Kenneth Ballard, and finds files on characters Xian Mei, Purna, Logan Carter, and Sam B. After reviewing the files, he hears a knock, claims he was looking for the bathroom, but opens the door to a zombie, leaving his fate unknown. In the game, audio logs reveal Howard slowly going insane from infection. His final log, found near his corpse in a prison, suggests a guard killed him after turning. The logs also describe a crash in the jungle, an attack by an infected orangutan that killed the driver, and Howard’s eventual hallucinations about his son as he records his symptoms for scientists.
A film adaptation was announced on September 27, 2011, when Lionsgate acquired the rights, inspired by the game’s announcement trailer showing a family fighting for survival. The studio planned to work with Occupant Entertainment and Deep Silver, with filming set for 2015, but no official update has been given as of 2022. A novel by Mark Morris, based on the first game’s events, was released alongside the game in 2011.
- installments
- 3 (plus 1 spin-off and 1 cancelled MOBA)
Lore & Background
Dead Island was originally announced at E3 2006 but was pushed back to 2011. It was initially released on September 6 in North America, September 9 in PAL regions, and October 20 in Japan. A stand-alone expansion, Dead Island: Riptide, was released in 2013, while a sequel, Dead Island 2, was released in 2023. A spin-off, Escape Dead Island, was released in 2014. A MOBA game called Dead Island: Epidemic was cancelled during open beta in 2015; it had been available on Steam early access since May 2014 but never saw a full release and was completely shut down.
Reader's Guide
The Dead Island series is significant for its focus on melee combat in an open-world zombie survival setting, distinguishing it from other zombie games that often emphasize firearms. The series expanded through multiple installments, including a stand-alone expansion and a spin-off, though a planned MOBA was cancelled. Related media includes a one-issue comic book by Marvel Comics, which follows journalist Roger Howard investigating illegal exploitation on Banoi Island; his fate is left unknown in the comic, but in the game audio logs imply he was killed by an infected prison guard. A film adaptation was announced by Lionsgate in 2011, with filming set to begin in 2015, but as of 2022 no official update has been given. A novel based on the first game, written by Mark Morris, was released concurrently in 2011. The series' legacy lies in its unique combat system and its expansion into multiple media formats.
Did You Know?
- Dead Island was originally announced at E3 2006 but was not released until 2011.
- A MOBA spin-off called Dead Island: Epidemic was cancelled during open beta in 2015.
- A one-issue comic book was released by IDW Publishing, with the protagonist's fate left unknown.
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