New XCOM "Adheres to the Tenets" of X-COM (By Changing Everything)

This video offers the first developer diary from XCOM the upcoming X-Com revival in a clip titled "What is XCOM?" They call this a "really beloved franchise" that 2K Marin – Canberra is looking to "reinvigorate...with a new entry that really adheres to the tenets of what made the original game so special," in spite of the change in genre from a turn-based tactics game to a first-person shooter. "Our telling of XCOM is an origin story. It's about experiencing the origins of this organization from a really zoomed in and boots-on-the-ground perspective," explains Jonathan Pelling, lead designer. "We really wanted you to feel like what it was like to be one of the squadies in the original game, and not the all-knowing, top-down commander."

So what about these tenets to which they are adhering? "We've taken a lot of the mythos that had previously been established, and sort of re-imagined it, or re-engineered it," says Morgan Gray, development director. "Like sort of the very small humble roots of the organization before it became this globe-spanning, globally funded anti-alien defense force." The diary goes on to offer more details about the game's alien invasion and the unusual nature of the organization combating it.

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42.
 
Re: New XCOM
Sep 26, 2011, 12:40
42.
Re: New XCOM Sep 26, 2011, 12:40
Sep 26, 2011, 12:40
 
rlknight66 wrote on Sep 23, 2011, 07:35:
Jivaro wrote on Sep 22, 2011, 15:37:
You never played the original games and you criticize people for being angry about this severe change in gameplay mechanics and perspective?

I'm just critical of fanboys who feel like the developers OWE them something, really - if you don't like the game, don't buy it. It's not like and X-COM fps has never been done before (x-com enforcer) which I believe also radically changed gameplay mechanics as well as in a time line separate to that established by the first four games.

So, yea, people who are all like "ZOOOMGZZZZ!!! WTF IS 2K DOING TO MY BELOVED FRANCISE?!?!?!" kind of leave me scratching my head.
How is X-COM Enforcer an argument in favor of doing an X-COM FPS? Seems like it would be a really good argument against it. Second, if you haven't played the originals, then you have no clue how incredibly NOT an X-COM game this is. So your opinion is just baseless. There's just no reason to use the X-COM license for this kind of crap, other than pure greed. This game seems to have next to nothing to do with X-COM. Like I said before, it's Shadowrun all over again.
"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts." -- Bertrand Russell (I think...)
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41.
 
Re: New XCOM "Adheres to the Tenets" of X-COM (By Changing Everything)
Sep 23, 2011, 08:56
41.
Re: New XCOM "Adheres to the Tenets" of X-COM (By Changing Everything) Sep 23, 2011, 08:56
Sep 23, 2011, 08:56
 
That's the old "no one has done it so it can't be done" argument which falls flat on its face. There has never been a better time for a studio to put an X-Com game and if X-Com didn't sell that many units then what need do they have of its name and universe? Can't have it both ways. The DD services offer an unheard opportunity for more "niche" games and the PC in general is seeing a big upsurge in consumer base and overall revenue right now.
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40.
 
Re: New XCOM
Sep 23, 2011, 08:28
40.
Re: New XCOM Sep 23, 2011, 08:28
Sep 23, 2011, 08:28
 
Julio wrote on Sep 23, 2011, 05:00:
This 'new XCOM' is going to be a steaming pile...when will publishers learn that there is money to be made in turnbased. At least don't steal the IP from good games to make another cookie cutter FPS.

How do you know this is cookie-cutter?
And who is making money from turn based games? Even 10 years ago they weren't bringing in huge cash. Heck, go look at how many copies the original X-COM sold.
Turn based games not named "Civilization" haven't set the world on fire. And they're hands-down my most played and most enjoyed game type.

Leave it to the indies, even though they haven't made a decent X-COMesque game, either.
39.
 
Re: New XCOM
Sep 23, 2011, 07:35
39.
Re: New XCOM Sep 23, 2011, 07:35
Sep 23, 2011, 07:35
 
Jivaro wrote on Sep 22, 2011, 15:37:
You never played the original games and you criticize people for being angry about this severe change in gameplay mechanics and perspective?

I'm just critical of fanboys who feel like the developers OWE them something, really - if you don't like the game, don't buy it. It's not like and X-COM fps has never been done before (x-com enforcer) which I believe also radically changed gameplay mechanics as well as in a time line separate to that established by the first four games.

So, yea, people who are all like "ZOOOMGZZZZ!!! WTF IS 2K DOING TO MY BELOVED FRANCISE?!?!?!" kind of leave me scratching my head.
38.
 
Re: New XCOM
Sep 23, 2011, 05:00
38.
Re: New XCOM Sep 23, 2011, 05:00
Sep 23, 2011, 05:00
 
This 'new XCOM' is going to be a steaming pile...when will publishers learn that there is money to be made in turnbased. At least don't steal the IP from good games to make another cookie cutter FPS.
37.
 
Re: New XCOM
Sep 23, 2011, 04:27
Prez
 
37.
Re: New XCOM Sep 23, 2011, 04:27
Sep 23, 2011, 04:27
 Prez
 
elafos wrote on Sep 22, 2011, 20:29:
Whatever...I juststarted x-com Apocalypse on steam; its as good as it used to be:D

I love that one too. It's got its own charms despite how different it is from UFO Defense.
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
- Mahatma Gandhi
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36.
 
Re: New XCOM "Adheres to the Tenets" of X-COM (By Changing Everything)
Sep 22, 2011, 20:29
36.
Re: New XCOM "Adheres to the Tenets" of X-COM (By Changing Everything) Sep 22, 2011, 20:29
Sep 22, 2011, 20:29
 
Whatever...I juststarted x-com Apocalypse on steam; its as good as it used to be:D
35.
 
Re: New XCOM "Adheres to the Tenets" of X-COM (By Changing Everything)
Sep 22, 2011, 19:09
35.
Re: New XCOM "Adheres to the Tenets" of X-COM (By Changing Everything) Sep 22, 2011, 19:09
Sep 22, 2011, 19:09
 
God forbid modern software developers assume gamers have a working imagination. Flesh out EVERY last aspect of a story, EVERY LAST DETAIL MUST BE CANONIZED!
34.
 
Re: New XCOM
Sep 22, 2011, 18:52
Gru
34.
Re: New XCOM Sep 22, 2011, 18:52
Sep 22, 2011, 18:52
Gru
 
Interesting discussion.

To me the key aspects of the original XCOM was the tension throughout the game, along with the ability to recruit/develop my team, and to find/develop new tech (the psi powers were especially fun).

The turn based game mechanic was secondary, although I believe turn based games can be successful.

I am willing to take a wait and see approach to see if 2k can deliver.

Shameless plug alert: I discuss this in more detail on my own blog

Gru
33.
 
Re: New XCOM
Sep 22, 2011, 18:49
33.
Re: New XCOM Sep 22, 2011, 18:49
Sep 22, 2011, 18:49
 
You can certainly stick to the tennents of the original by making huge, sweeping thematic changes.
Or you can stick to the tennents of the original by making POV changes, both of the individual and of the control.


Not certain you can make both and still make the claim.
32.
 
Re: New XCOM "Adheres to the Tenets" of X-COM (By Changing Everything)
Sep 22, 2011, 18:27
32.
Re: New XCOM "Adheres to the Tenets" of X-COM (By Changing Everything) Sep 22, 2011, 18:27
Sep 22, 2011, 18:27
 
What an absolute crock of bullshit. Fuck you up the ass, 2K.
Avatar 6580
31.
 
Re: New XCOM
Sep 22, 2011, 18:17
nin
31.
Re: New XCOM Sep 22, 2011, 18:17
Sep 22, 2011, 18:17
nin
 
Personally I loved Fallout 3.

I liked F3 and really liked New Vegas, but I consider them more as spin offs than sequels to the originals.

30.
 
Re: New XCOM
Sep 22, 2011, 17:23
Prez
 
30.
Re: New XCOM Sep 22, 2011, 17:23
Sep 22, 2011, 17:23
 Prez
 
Personally I loved Fallout 3. However, I also got the sense all the way through FO3's development that I was going to end up at least somewhat enjoying the end project. I guess it's still early, but the XCOM developers have already had to change the game once, and they've spent most of their PR time defending their design decisions, so it seems as though they are floundering. Thus far, all I see is disappointment at the end of the road with XCOM.
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
- Mahatma Gandhi
Avatar 17185
29.
 
Re: New XCOM
Sep 22, 2011, 17:06
29.
Re: New XCOM Sep 22, 2011, 17:06
Sep 22, 2011, 17:06
 
Beelzebud wrote on Sep 22, 2011, 16:22:
It's Fallout all over again, with the same people saying "Well I never played the original, but this looks cool!".

What is really sad is that the original X-Com was released on the Playstation. There is no excuse besides laziness, and not having any original concepts for their own damned game.

Honestly?

My flippant tongue in cheek comment earlier in the thread aside, I think 2K:M addressed all of that in this video. They are doing a genesis story, not tacking on to the events that were in the originals. Making something new that doesn't detract from the old. DX:HR did the same thing, most panned the idea, now just about everyone here loves it.

Now I can't say whether the game will be good or not, but the mechanics and the style of the artwork do seem intriguing; like an x-files in the 50s. The idea of seeking out and upgrading your team in an FPS sounds appealing as well.

You're right about the Fallout thing. Many that never played XCOM will get this because it's different. But consider this: I honestly never played Fallout 1/2/T until after I played FO:3. Those types of games just didn't appeal to me back then, but the new ones made me rethink that, and caused me to seek them out and pay for / play them.

And I don't think that's a bad thing for deserving IP at all.

^D^
"Never start a fight, but always finish it."
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28.
 
Re: New XCOM
Sep 22, 2011, 16:56
28.
Re: New XCOM Sep 22, 2011, 16:56
Sep 22, 2011, 16:56
 
Beelzebud wrote on Sep 22, 2011, 16:22:
It's Fallout all over again, with the same people saying "Well I never played the original, but this looks cool!".

Like or hate Fallout, at least they kept it as an RPG (with most of the fittings in place) rather than just turn it straight out into an FPS.

Creston
Avatar 15604
27.
 
Re: New XCOM
Sep 22, 2011, 16:54
27.
Re: New XCOM Sep 22, 2011, 16:54
Sep 22, 2011, 16:54
 
I think 95% of the old-schoolers here don't really get angry, more just frustrated.

It's not like I lie awake at night thinking about it or something. Grumbling about the fucking shitty state of the gaming industry gives me something to while away the boring hours at work.

Once I get home, I have games to play.

Creston
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26.
 
Re: New XCOM "Adheres to the Tenets" of X-COM (By Changing Everything)
Sep 22, 2011, 16:43
26.
Re: New XCOM "Adheres to the Tenets" of X-COM (By Changing Everything) Sep 22, 2011, 16:43
Sep 22, 2011, 16:43
 
You know, some people wonder why so many of us old school gamers around here get so angry and bitchy about some things and this is just one in a long list of perfect examples why.
"The horse I bet on was so slow, the jockey kept a diary of the trip." - Henny Youngman
25.
 
Re: New XCOM
Sep 22, 2011, 16:22
25.
Re: New XCOM Sep 22, 2011, 16:22
Sep 22, 2011, 16:22
 
It's Fallout all over again, with the same people saying "Well I never played the original, but this looks cool!".

What is really sad is that the original X-Com was released on the Playstation. There is no excuse besides laziness, and not having any original concepts for their own damned game.
24.
 
Re: New XCOM
Sep 22, 2011, 16:09
Prez
 
24.
Re: New XCOM Sep 22, 2011, 16:09
Sep 22, 2011, 16:09
 Prez
 
"We really wanted you to feel like what it was like to be one of the squadies in the original game, and not the all-knowing, top-down commander."

Sooooo... then they are NOT adhering to the tenets of X-Com. Confused
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
- Mahatma Gandhi
Avatar 17185
23.
 
Re: New XCOM
Sep 22, 2011, 15:45
23.
Re: New XCOM Sep 22, 2011, 15:45
Sep 22, 2011, 15:45
 
tl&dw summary:

"We took the beloved franchise we totally dig and ditched the gameplay and story.
This is now Bioshock: Tiberium Dawn.
Bonus: No longer will you have to save dirty brown people but can concentrate on the good Christian folks of Real America!"


Frankly the game doesn't look bad, but I fail to see why they felt the need to rape the corpse of the XCom franchise. This is worse than the clusterfuck that was the Uncharted movie before they sacked the asshole who came up with it.
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