Dead Space Ignition fires up XBLA Oct. 13

Though Dead Space 2 isn't due out until next year, fans looking to jump into the horror universe will be able to do so next week.

Dead Space Ignition, the downloadable interactive comic book prequel to Dead Space 2, will hit Xbox Live on October 13. The news comes from Xbox Live's Major Nelson, who announced that the title will arrive next week priced at 400 MS points, or $5.

Ignition will follow tech wizard Franco Delisle in the hours before the space station known as The Sprawl is beset by a necromorph infestation. The game's story is being penned by Antony Johnston, who previously told stories in the Dead Space universe with a six-issue comic series released in 2008.

Dead Space Ignition is composed of three hacking minigames: Hardware Crack, Trace Route, and System Override. The title will play out like a Choose Your Own Adventure story, where players determine their fate by choosing from various plotlines. There are four distinct endings players can reach, but players can play only as Delisle.

Further, those who play Ignition will receive unlocks for Dead Space 2, including a suit for protagonist Isaac Clarke. A release date for the PlayStation 3 version of Dead Space Ignition has not been announced. For more on Dead Space Ignition, check out GameSpot's hands-on preview.