Malf on 14/4/2010 at 18:15
Anyway, it's more fun to concoct batshit conspiracy theories than consider the depressing truth.
The original X-Com games were very successful. So successful, that when they ran out of creative juice, the value of the IP was high enough that only a large corporation could afford to buy it.
Large corporations have to consider their investors when releasing new product, so they have to follow the current, most financially successful formula. And the most financially successful release in entertainment history was Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Therefore, when 2K noticed that there was a buzz about X-Com on forums and that the Steam re-releases were selling reasonably well, they decided to start work on a new entry in the series; surely they could capitalise on the name?
But to make sure, they'd better follow the safe formula.
Even if some enterprising developer at 2K Australia suggested that it might be an idea to follow the original premise somewhat, you can bet the money-people stamped on their hopes, noting in the process that the original game was about shooting stuff, so it should translate perfectly to the Call of Duty FPS formula.
And you know what? I bet 2K Australia caved, noting to themselves that "FPS is what we do best", thinking of their last release.
The Western gaming industry is increasingly becoming creatively bankrupt, and we've only got ourselves to blame. We made these games successful in the first place. We encouraged them to play it safe.
gunsmoke on 14/4/2010 at 18:19
Quote Posted by Malf
Anyway, it's more fun to concoct batshit conspiracy theories than consider the depressing truth.
The original X-Com games were very successful. So successful, that when they ran out of creative juice, the value of the IP was high enough that only a large corporation could afford to buy it.
Large corporations have to consider their investors when releasing new product, so they have to follow the current, most financially successful formula. And the most financially successful release in entertainment history was Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Therefore, when 2K noticed that there was a buzz about X-Com on forums and that the Steam re-releases were selling reasonably well, they decided to start work on a new entry in the series; surely they could capitalise on the name?
But to make sure, they'd better follow the safe formula.
Even if some enterprising developer at 2K Australia suggested that it might be an idea to follow the original premise somewhat, you can bet the money-people stamped on their hopes, noting in the process that the original game was about shooting stuff, so it should translate perfectly to the Call of Duty FPS formula.
And you know what? I bet 2K Australia caved, noting to themselves that "FPS is what we do best", thinking of their last release.
The Western gaming industry is increasingly becoming creatively bankrupt, and we've only got ourselves to blame. We made these games successful in the first place. We encouraged them to play it safe.
Good points, and 2K Australia caving on the "FPS is what we do best" thought sounds dead-on.
Captain on 14/4/2010 at 19:28
My knee-jerk reaction is "oh god what are they doing", but after thinking about it, I think it could work really well if done right. Geoscape remains the same way, maybe less micromanaging, and you play as the team leader. Everything would work the same way until you get to the battlescape, in which you obviously go to the first person view. There are... say 3 squads of 4 in the Skyranger, and you can give general commands to other squads, while in your squad you can give direct orders to each of your men. Gameplay would be slow, no regen health, but you can equip squadmates or yourself with a medkit.
Of course it won't be like that at all, so in conclusion, oh god what are they doing
Sulphur on 14/4/2010 at 21:18
X-Com was one of those games I should've played but never got round to, and while I quiver in vicarious, morbid angst at the franchise being gutted and du...
...hang on, how old is this series again? First title in '94, you say? Around the time of Syndicate, you say? Which is a franchise that's also getting resurrected by a completely different company? Oy ve...
No, wait. I really don't give two whittled nubs of a fuck. These games came and went. Their glory days are far over, except maybe in our heads. What difference does it make if 2K and Starbreeze want to take a shot at the old greats? At best, we might get a fantastic bunch of games. At worst, we'll just shake our heads and say it was a misguided attempt at reusing old IP.
Meier and Molyneux, meanwhile, are still doing what they did, only they've either adapted and left their legacies behind (Molyneux) or successfully keep treading water today (Meier/that Julian Gollop fella). Keeping that in mind, I'd rather some fresh blood had a crack at this stuff. I'd be far more concerned if we had two unknown studios taking up development duties, but 2K and Starbreeze have a pretty decent track record.
2K Australia need to work on their marketing a bit, though. This... (
http://www.eurogamer.net/gallery.php?game_id=13109&article_id=1047138#anchor) thing they released as a 'first look' of the game doesn't really help. It's also got a slightly ropey UE3 look about it. We'll see. Early days yet.
Muzman on 14/4/2010 at 21:25
What if it was a SWAT 4 v Aliens type of thing? That'd be alright wouldn't it?
Sulphur on 14/4/2010 at 21:27
That actually sounds like it'd be pretty awesome if it were done right.
june gloom on 14/4/2010 at 21:53
The SWAT 4 vs zombies thing looked pretty awesome...
Quote Posted by Sulphur
X-Com was one of those games I should've played but never got round to, and while I quiver in vicarious, morbid angst at the franchise being gutted and du...
...hang on, how old is this series again? First title in '94, you say? Around the time of Syndicate, you say? Which is a franchise that's also getting resurrected by a completely different company? Oy ve...
No, wait. I really don't give two whittled nubs of a fuck. These games came and went. Their glory days are far over, except maybe in our heads. What difference does it make if 2K and Starbreeze want to take a shot at the old greats? At best, we might get a fantastic bunch of games. At worst, we'll just shake our heads and say it was a misguided attempt at reusing old IP.
Quoted for motherfucking truth.
Zygoptera on 15/4/2010 at 00:00
Going to have to agree- sure it could turn out as a mish mash of bad ideas, poor implementation, dreadful game systems, inconsistent design, pointless cameos, awful graphics and animation tacked onto one of the worst "stories" of all time and designed to appeal to the lowest of the lowest in common denominators, or it could actually be good. There's only one way to find out. Nothing is fundamentally wrong with an xcom fps.
Still going to call it Enforcer 2 though.
2K Elizabeth on 15/4/2010 at 00:15
Quote Posted by mothra
the 2K buttrape monster continues to swallow properties and convert them into the most profitable genre out there, the fps, without having any connection to the original gameplay and genre, using its brandname for sales and the angry internet men rage for publicity.
I bet Elizabeth Tobey is ringing up her therapist right now to schedule more sessions, she knows what will come: endless apology and clarification letters
No way - I'm really excited for this title. I'd be interested to hear your guys updated opinions after you get your hands on the article and read through the first preview.
Malf on 15/4/2010 at 06:20
Quote Posted by 2K Elizabeth
No way - I'm really excited for this title. I'd be interested to hear your guys updated opinions after you get your hands on the article and read through the first preview.
Of course you're "excited for this title". You're on the payroll. You couldn't really come along and say "I agree, this is a short-sighted, soulless attempt at cashing in on a beloved franchise' success", now could you?
Sorry Elizabeth, but I have no time for marketing shills trying to generate enthusiasm and thereby sales. After all, that's all that community relations jobs are all about these days.
