Though we still don't know much regarding Dead Space 2, it appears we'll know more relatively soon, as Reuters has pegged the horror sequel for a 2010 release.

While technically unannounced, the sequel has been mentioned by both job listings and staff members of series publisher Electronic Arts. Developed by Visceral Games (formerly EA Redwood Shores) the horror-action franchise premiered on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in October. A Wii prequel, Extraction, arrived earlier this year.

A sequel to Visceral Games' original horror game Dead Space is entering production in the coming months, according to a job listing noticed by superannuation.

"The game is in the later stages of pre-production, ready for production in the next few months, with many of the navigational and combat mechanics in place," reads the listing.

Though Dead Space's initial retail performance didn't overjoy EA, the game eventually passed the one million sales mark. EA CEO John Riccitiello referred to the franchise as a "long-term big winner for us" in December 2008.

The job listing notes that the team working on Dead Space 2 has "complete autonomy and creative control" over its decisions, and that the "Games Label at EA is 100% committed to this IP, and has already worked on IP extensions such as comic, animated features, and action figures."

While lowered expectations have caused Electronic Arts to consider axing some games, the company has suggested that the planned sequels for EA Redwood Shores' Dead Space and DICE's Mirror's Edge will not be affected by the upcoming cuts.

"Dead Space looks like a long-term big winner for us," EA CEO John Riccitiello stated during a conference call today. "Mirror's Edge is one that was very strongly reviewed. That one's gonna go forward--we'll be looking at some issues around the design to make sure strong IP is married with strong business."

Riccitiello added: "Many times, what happens with new IP is the first edition doesn't generate the units that subsequent editions could generate."

The CEO also touched on the recent release of Mythic's Warhammer Online, stating his belief that the PC MMO "will continue to perform very very well."

Following up on the late August release of Mercenaries 2 (PC, PS2, PS3, 360), EA publishing COO John Pleasants has stated that "there will be a Mercenaries 3, and if I can have anything to do with it, there will be a Mercenaries 10."

The Pandemic-developed open-world action game sequel has sold 1.9 million copies since it hit retailers, the company revealed during a conference call yesterday.

With EA riding a wave of planned sequels--Dead Space 2, Army of Two 2 and Battlefield: Bad Company 2 along with Mirror's Edge 2 and 3--Pleasants noted that future Dead Space and Mirror's Edge games "are not likely to be annual sequels."

He also promised a strong future for the Spore franchise, vowing that both expansion packs and new business models are coming for the Maxis-helmed evolution series.

Adding to the recent revelation that EA DICE's upcoming Mirror's Edge is part of a trilogy, EA Games president Frank Gibeau and Dead Space executive producer Glenn Schofield have disclosed that the company is planning a number of other sequels.

Both EA Montreal's co-op action game Army of Two (PS3, 360) and EA DICE's shooter Battlefield: Bad Company (PS3, 360) have "sequel ideas planned," Gibeau told Variety Meanwhile, Schofield revealed that EA Redwood Shore's sci-fi survival horror game Dead Space (PC, PS3, 360) already has a sequel in the works.

Dead Space debuted at retailers last week, with Army of Two and Battlefield: Bad Company arriving earlier this year. Since its release, Army of Two has been one of the year's best-selling Xbox 360 titles thus far.

Gibaeu also noted that EA's expansion into game-inspired films, books and television shows stems from the somewhat-recent return of EA CEO John Riccitiello, who, in Gibaeu's words, explained that "our fan base would love to experience or learn more about them in linear forms."