unitology posts

Dead Space 2's release was preceded by a marketing campaign that talked about the survival horror game's fictional religion called Unitology, which also showed up in the first game. Indeed Dead Space 2 was demoed at E3 last June by Electronic Arts press folks were able to pick up a comic pamphlet that discussed the religion much like similar pamphlets that have been passed around by certain Christian organizations.

But Unitology as it is described in Dead Space 2 seems to have more in common with Scientology, the religion founded by the late L Ron Hubbard. In an interview over at MTV's Multiplayer blog, the game's creative director Wright Bagwell denied that the team tried to make a direct connection between Unitology and Scientology, stating, "It was never really intended. I think people get that a lot because the name is very similar." But in a feature story Ars Technica says otherwise, pointing out the many similarities Scientology and the Unitology religion as depicted in the games. The game even has an in-game add for Unitology that shows a man who has more than a passing resemblance to Hubbard.