How did the infection start in Dead Space?

The infection started 200 years before the events of Dead Space 1, when Earthgov recreated the genetic coding on the Black Marker, which gave them the recombinant bacteria, and when introduced to dead cells, creates the Necromorphs. The outbreak happened when Unitologists led by Jacob Danik activated a Marker near the colony, causing a Necromorph outbreak, and the Necromorphs were created through the power of Markers, alien objects that emit a highly concentrated electromagnetic signal that alters any dead tissue in range on a cellular level, converting it into Necromorph tissue and re-animating the corpse of the host organism.

Understanding the Infection

The Dead Space universe is complex, and understanding the infection is crucial to grasping the game’s storyline.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

1. What is a Necromorph?: A Necromorph is a creature created through the power of Markers, alien objects that emit a highly concentrated electromagnetic signal that alters any dead tissue in range on a cellular level, converting it into Necromorph tissue and re-animating the corpse of the host organism.
2. How are Necromorph infectors created?: Necromorphs are constructed from reanimated corpses and come in multiple forms of various shapes and sizes, driven to murder and infect all life within their vicinity by a signal emitted from mysterious alien artifacts known as Markers.
3. Why do you have to cut off Necromorph limbs?: Necromorphs do not die, they will keep moving until it becomes physically impossible, so removing limbs, which are used to move and harm, is a viable option to “stop” them.

Game Specifics

4. How did the Necromorph outbreak start in Dead Space 1?: The Necromorph outbreak was the result of colonists moving the Red Marker away from its pedestal, and it seemed putting it back was enough to neutralize the Necromorphs, but so did destroying the Marker.
5. What happened to Nicole?: Nicole’s body was never found, indicating that she transformed into a Necromorph and was possibly killed by Isaac.
6. What is the strongest Necromorph?: The Hunter is considered the strongest Necromorph, followed by the Brute/Super-Brute, Divider, Leaper/Super-Leaper, Lurker/Super Lurker, Exploder, Pregnant, and Swarmers.

Necromorph Types

7. Is the Leviathan a Necromorph?: The Leviathan is a massive, formless Necromorph that has taken up residence in the Hydroponics Deck.
8. What is the scariest Necromorph?: The Lurkers are considered one of the scariest Necromorphs, with their unsettling, tentacle-wielding former baby appearance.
9. What is the smallest Necromorph?: Swarmers are the smallest Necromorphs in the games and movies.

Storyline

10. How did the infection start on the Ishimura?: The infection started when the dead Necromorph remains were revived after they got near the new under-construction Marker.
11. Where does Dead Space take place?: Dead Space takes place in the year 2508 aboard the USG Ishimura, an elite spaceship known as a “planet cracker” that has the ability to mine planets.
12. Why does Nicole haunt Isaac?: Nicole haunts Isaac as a hallucination manifesting from his Marker-induced dementia, constantly manipulating and influencing him through his love for Nicole and his feelings of guilt over her fate.

Game Mechanics

13. Can you eject the Leviathan in Dead Space?: Yes, you can attempt to eject the Leviathan into space by activating the airlock in the Food Storage area.
14. What happens if a Necromorph bites you?: If a Necromorph bites you, the Necromorph pathogen will infect you, and you will undergo a gradual transformation into a Necromorph.
15. What is the secret message in Dead Space?: The secret message in Dead Space is “Nicole Is Dead”, which can be revealed by taking the first letter of each of the game’s twelve chapters and lining them up.