Is the Mall from Dead Rising Real? Unveiling the Fictional World of Willamette
The short and definitive answer is: no, the mall in Dead Rising is not real. The iconic Willamette Parkview Mall, the primary setting of the original Dead Rising game, is a completely fictional location. While it may draw inspiration from real-world shopping centers, its layout, specific stores, and overall design are the product of the game developers’ imaginations. It’s designed to be a believable and engaging environment for a zombie apocalypse, not a recreation of an existing mall. Similarly, the Willamette Memorial Megaplex from Dead Rising 4 is also a fictional creation, building upon the series’ tradition of using malls as the stage for undead mayhem.
Exploring the Fictional Malls of Dead Rising
While the malls in Dead Rising are not real, they are designed with a strong sense of realism. The game developers meticulously crafted the layouts to mimic the experience of being in a large, multi-level shopping mall. They often feature multiple food courts, a variety of stores (sometimes multiple versions of the same store), and intricate back areas for the player to explore. This detail helps to enhance the sense of immersion in the game, despite the exaggerated premise of a zombie outbreak.
The designers may have drawn from common architectural themes and popular mall designs found throughout North America, but these were more inspirations than direct recreations. The goal was to craft a familiar yet expansive environment that felt plausible as the center of a town, much like what one might expect of a large suburban shopping center.
The Setting of Willamette
It’s important to distinguish between the fictional mall and the name of the town itself. In Dead Rising, the mall is located in the fictional town of Willamette, Colorado. This town is also not a real place; despite the name sharing similarities with the Willamette River and the town of Willamette, Oregon. These are two very different places, with Oregon being the location of the Willamette Valley, where a real river with that name exists, while the game puts the action in Colorado. The developers chose the name for its resonance and familiarity, not to tie the game to any specific real location.
In essence, the Willamette Parkview Mall and the Willamette Memorial Megaplex are fictional locations designed to provide a unique gameplay environment, rather than attempting to represent any existing shopping centers. This creative liberty allows for the exaggerated store inventories and over-the-top scenarios that the series is known for.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Dead Rising Malls
1. Are any of the locations in Dead Rising based on real places?
While the malls themselves are not real, the developers may have drawn some inspiration from common architectural styles and mall layouts. However, no specific real-world mall serves as a direct model.
2. Where is the mall in the original Dead Rising located?
The Willamette Parkview Mall is located in the fictional town of Willamette, Colorado. There is no city of Willamette in the state of Colorado.
3. Is Willamette, Oregon, the setting for the game?
No. Though the game shares a name, Willamette, Oregon, is a real town located on the Willamette River, and it is not connected to the fictional setting of the Dead Rising games.
4. Does Dead Rising 4 take place in the same mall as the original game?
No, Dead Rising 4 features a different fictional shopping center, the Willamette Memorial Megaplex, also located in the fictional town of Willamette.
5. What is the largest mall ever in America?
The Mall of America, located outside of Minneapolis, is the largest mall in America, boasting over 5.6 million square feet and 520 shops and restaurants.
6. What inspired the design of the malls in Dead Rising?
The game’s developers likely drew inspiration from various real-world malls, using common architectural designs and layout patterns but the designs are ultimately original creations.
7. Is the Willamette Town Center a real mall from the games?
Willamette Town Center is a real shopping center in Salem, Oregon, but it is not related to any mall featured in the Dead Rising games.
8. Did Dead Rising 4 sell well?
While it sold over a million units in its first month, Dead Rising 4 sold less than half of what Capcom, the developer, expected.
9. Why is the game called Willamette when there’s no real town in Colorado with that name?
The name likely draws inspiration from the Willamette River and the real town of Willamette, Oregon. However, the game’s setting is an entirely fictional location.
10. What is the biggest mall in the world?
The Dubai Mall, located next to the Burj Khalifa, is the largest mall in the world.
11. What is the setting for Dead Rising 3?
Dead Rising 3 takes place in the fictional city of Los Perdidos, California, not in the town of Willamette.
12. Why is the Willamette Valley called the “valley of death?”
The Willamette Valley earned its nickname due to a severe malaria outbreak in the 19th century that decimated the indigenous populations. This is completely unrelated to the game.
13. Who is the main character in Dead Rising 3?
Players control Nick Ramos, a mechanic survivor in Los Perdidos, in Dead Rising 3.
14. Did the original Dead Rising game sell well?
Yes, the original Dead Rising game sold over 3.2 million copies.
15. What are the defining features of the Dead Rising mall layouts?
The malls in the Dead Rising series are characterized by their large scale, multiple floors, multiple food courts, and a wide variety of stores, including similar versions of common shops in real-life malls. These features contribute to the gameplay experience and the player’s sense of being trapped in a large, complex environment.
In conclusion, while the malls in Dead Rising are meticulously designed and feel realistic, they are entirely fictional. They serve as a backdrop for the game’s unique zombie-slaying action, and are not intended to be recreations of any actual shopping centers.