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2K Games working on new version of XCOM

by: Chuck -
More On: The Bureau: XCOM Declassified
It looks like the folks at 2K Games are taking a whack at reviving XCOM, one the great PC franchises of all time.  What's interesting is that instead of a turn based third person tactical game they are converting the series into a first person shooter.  The game is going to be developed by 2K Marin the folks behind Bioshock 2 so it's got a decent dev team behind it.

For those of you who never played the original game the XCOM games had you playing the role of an agent of a worldwide task force who's job it was to repulse an alien threat.  It does look like the 2K folks are taking some liberty with the plot of the game a bit.  I am interested to see how the game handles the psionic elements of the original games and if the money/technology tree from the original series makes it into this one as well.  

I'm somewhat excited about the announcement as the original XCOM game caused a serious drop in my GPA in college and I'm interested to see what other liberties they've taken with the core of the game.  There's not a lot in the press release but there is a website up for the game that's a bit on the empty side right now.  Hopefully we'll get a chance to play this a bit at E3.

Update (Chuck): Found this one image from the game on the site.  Speculate in the comments on what this could be

2K Games Announces XCOM® - Suspense and Mystery-Filled First-Person Shooter from Creators of BioShock® 2

Award-winning developers set their sights on re-imagining the suspense, tension and fear of one of gaming’s most beloved franchises only on Xbox 360 and Windows PC

New York, NY – April 14, 2010– 2K Games announced today that XCOM®,the re-imagining of one of gaming’s most storied and beloved franchises,is currently in development at 2K Marin, the studio behind the multi-million unit selling BioShock® 2.Currently in development exclusively for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC, XCOM combines the strategic core of the groundbreaking franchise with a suspense-filled narrative and distills it into a tense and unique first-person shooter experience.

“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.”

XCOM is the re-imagining of the classic tale of humanity’s struggle against an unknown enemy that puts players directly into the shoes of an FBI agent tasked with identifying and eliminating the growing threat. True to the roots of the franchise, players will be placed in charge of overcoming high-stake odds through risky strategic gambits coupled with heart-stopping combat experiences that pit human ingenuity – and frailty – against a foe beyond comprehension. By setting the game in a first-person perspective, players will be able to feel the tension and fear that comes with combating a faceless enemy that is violently probing and plotting its way into our world.

XCOM is not yet rated by the ESRB. For more information on XCOM please visit www.XCOM.com.

2K Games is a division of 2K, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).



About 2K Marin

With sister studios in Novato, California and Canberra, Australia, 2K Marin is a 2K development studio focused on creating new IP and expanding proven franchises for 2K Games. Having recently completed the award-winning BioShock® 2, 2K Marin is currently developing XCOM®, a suspenseful first-person shooter where players must do battle against an unknown and faceless enemy that is violently probing and plotting its way into our world.



About Take-Two Interactive Software

Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is a global developer, marketer and publisher of interactive entertainment software games for the PC, PlayStation®3 and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment systems, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Wii™, Nintendo DS™, iPhone™ and iPod® touch. The Company publishes and develops products through its wholly owned labels Rockstar Games and 2K, which publishes its titles under 2K Games, 2K Sports and 2K Play. The Company’s common stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TTWO. For more corporate and product information please visit our website at www.take2games.com.

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