2K Games Announces XCOM FPS Reboot

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by Jeff Cork on April 14, 2010 at 08:14 AM

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Publisher 2K Games announced that its 2K Marin studio is working on a re-imagining of the classic series X-COM, simultaneously revealing the game and swatting down longstanding speculation that Irrational Games was working on the project. Aside from de-hyphenating the title, the new XCOM appears to be ditching the series' strategic elements in favor of an FPS with a "suspense-filled narrative," according to the 2K Games news release. It's certainly possible that elements of X-COM, such as weapons research, could be integrated into the new game, but this looks like a massive franchise overhaul.

“With BioShock 2, the team at 2K Marin proved themselves as masters of first-person, suspenseful storytelling, and with XCOM they will re-imagine and expand the rich lore of this revered franchise,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “Players will explore the world of XCOM from an immersive new perspective and experience firsthand the fear and tension of this gripping narrative ride.”

Details are still vague, but 2K Games says that players will be taking the role of an FBI agent in the middle of a growing alien threat. That threat, according to 2K, is a foe "beyond comprehension," and players will have to overcome the odds through the use of "risky strategic gambits." We'll have to wait and see whether those strategic gambits are meaningful additions or simply a code for a cover system.

So far 2K Games has only released one screen from the game. In it, we see a strange, presumably alien, craft blasting the ground as an unfortunate victim is disintegrated nearby. It's not much to go on, but there are a few interesting clues. A red car along the side of the road looks as though it was plucked from the late '40s or early '50s. If that's the case, either someone is a fan of classic autos or this game is set in the past. The FBI agent angle definitely fits with that era, given the public's obsession with G-men.

Stay tuned for more details, and visit the game's official site in the meantime.

Comments

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by Lyte Epps Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 08:40 AM

I would love to see this on current consoles, I loved the earlier versions of this game . SWeeeet!
by Bucketbutter Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 09:35 AM

Mmm,XCOM as an FPS sounds like it might be fun, but it losing it's strategic element is kind of disappointing. The X-COM series was always one of my old favorites.
by Josh Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 09:38 AM

Hold on, is the Bioshock franchise done at 2? I thought I'd surely get to play at least 3 of them. It's my second favorite franchise :(. This game looks cool, though.
by Shaiapouf Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 09:51 AM

Oh goody,another FPS...hopefully they'll do something to actually make it unique because all these FPS's nowadays are really burning me out.It seems like every other game is a FPS or Gears/God of War clone,so I hope they can actually make something different and new feeling(One can hope,eh?)
by Sean Lowery Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 09:54 AM

I was really hoping this would be more like Valkyria Chronicles. *sad face*

I guess my fond memories of Terror from the Deep will have to remain just that.
by Will Terry Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 10:00 AM

Need to hear more details before any decision, good or bad, is made for me...like Shaiapouf said hopefully it is different from MW2, BC2, and others.
by ViaDanchops Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 10:14 AM

I wish I knew what XCOM was... but if it's 2k it should be great.
by eyros2k Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 10:28 AM

Not familiar with the original, and with little to go on all I can say is... cool screenshot/art
by atatski Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 10:34 AM

quite disappointed.. the original xcom was a strategy game. idk how they'd pull this off. as a fan of the old xcom game im not sure id feel nostalgic playing an fps version... there are already tons of shooter games out there.. i think theres no need to convert a great franchise as one and would prefer a remake with better graphics..
by The Oregonian Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 10:52 AM

Hooooooooly crap! If this is done well I'd be totally pumped! I have to admit I didn't read the article, but if it had RPG/equipment type elements like the orginal X-COMs it'd be completely badass!
by Odd Samuel Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 10:56 AM

Very interesting...
by Perfect.Disaster Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 11:08 AM

I'm not sure how I feel about X-Com being rebooted as a FPS. I guess Its a wait an see.
by Ryan Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 11:12 AM

@Josh,No i dont belive its done. After the success of the 1st one,they said there will probably be up to at least 6 bioshocks(THATS milking it,i would like just 1 more and then one of the greatest game series ever can RIP)

OT: THis game looks nifty
by gamergirl89 Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 12:34 PM

I wish these companines would stop oversaturate the FPS market. We need some strategy games to balance it out. Thank god it's not oversaturated with RPGS. That would be all bad
by mkfan123 Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 12:40 PM

hmm... 2k great
by The One Who Knocks Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 01:10 PM

Am sure it will still retain strategic elements.

So what is Irrational working on?
by adrianjohnmurphy Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 02:57 PM

The premise of X-COM was not as important as the gameplay elements and now they want to walk away from them. I am disappointed.
by pharoahkrakfeet Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 03:03 PM

i still remeberin watchin the aliens shoot the world leader in the back of the head after signin the treaty
by Kevin Maskornick Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 04:28 PM

Holy crap! Yes!!!
by dpdpp Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 06:06 PM

I am not too sure about this game's story. i love 2K's game play, but the stories for Borderlands and Bioshock 2 were severely lacking.

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2K Games Announces XCOM FPS Reboot

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