What is it? Did every single publisher in the world all get together last year in a secret cabal and say, "It's time for a survival horror fest in 2009. If Dead Space did so well, then surely to hell we can really cash in with some retro stuff updated?"

Probably not. There was probably no such meeting of minds.

Anyway, we write this story as House of the Dead Overkill plays in the corner of the SPOnG office, while F.E.A.R. 2 waits to be played. That is, of course, the Resident Evil 5 demo has already run its course.

Well guess what kids? Capcom has confirmed Dead Rising 2 for Xbox 360, PC and PS3, making 2009 the year of the living or un-dead zombie (or infected).

According to the company, "Dead Rising 2 is set several years after the infamous zombie invasion of Willamette. Unfortunately, the zombie virus was not contained at the conclusion of Dead Rising, spreading unchecked throughout the United States and Dead Rising 2 depicts a country where zombie outbreaks continue to strike.

Dead Rising 2 is being developed in partnership with up and coming Canadian developer Blue Castle Games. A number of members from the original Dead Rising team will be working alongside Blue Castle Games throughout the development process, including Capcom’s global head of research and development, Keiji Inafune, who as the game’s Producer will play an active role in the project."

No release dates confirmed as yet.