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The Making of X-COM
 A little game you might have heard of was given the retrospective treatment at Edge, with contributions from Julian Gollop himself.
QUOTE The original demo was for a relatively modest, two player tactical game. MicroProse asked them to base the action on Earth and to expand on the original design to deliver something more in keeping with the other epic strategy games it already had on its roster. “That prompted me to add the strategic level, with the basic idea of an alien infiltration of earth and the need to capture and research the alien technology to defeat them. It was quite a radical design in many respects, but we were trying to create a grand scale that would rival that of Civilization. In fact the research and technology tree somewhat emulates the role of advances in Civilization, but it also helped to develop the storyline.” Posted 17 May, 2009, 08:05 PM by baby arm
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Ken Levine talks Bioshock and X-COM
Ken Levine of Irrational Games (2K studio now) was recently interviewed by GameSpot, and X-COM was one of the subjects they touched upon.
QUOTE GS: There's this nasty rumor going around that you've been working on the successor to X-Com, the classic sci-fi tactical game from Microprose. You wouldn't know anything about that, would you? KL: I personally own four copies of X-Com. I just bought the whole series again on Steam. I even spent a few hours last month playing (God forgive me) X- Com: Enforcer! Now that's love. On a completely unprofessional side note, I'm going to name-drop and say I met Sid Meier at E3--one of the perks of working for Take-Two. He had this kind of Zen-master serenity thing going on about him, but I think I creeped him out with my nerdy, 1,000-yard fanboy stare. Back to X-Com. I will say that I'm probably the world's biggest X-Com [fan]. I won't say I'm working on an X-Com game. You can read the full interview over at GameSpot. Spotted at EvilAvatar.com »
X-COM Goes Free
X-COM: UFO Defense is now a freebie on GameTap. This is a good way to give the game a try if you've been sleeping on it for the past 15 years or so, but act fast since the offer ends February 5th.
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X-COM usurps the Steam throne!
It's been almost 15 years since X-COM: UFO Defense was first released but classics die hard! The X-COM Complete Pack is now the best seller on Steam beating meager resistance such as Call of Duty 4 and The Orange Box...
 Will the success of this release ensure we get a new X-COM game soon? What about releasing some other old Microprose classics? »
Nearly all X-COM games are now available on Steam
2K Games is now offering all the X-COM games through Valve's Steam service. In addition to the already available X-COM: Terror From the Deep, you can now also purchase X-COM: UFO Defense (UFO: Enemy Unknown), X-COM: Apocalypse, X-COM: Interceptor and X-COM: Enforcer.
 QUOTE Retro goodness comes to Steam in the form of the entire X-COM collection. The individual titles are available for $4.99 each, or all together in the 'X-COM Complete Pack' for $14.99. To celebrate the launch, an additional 10% off these prices for one week until Sept 11. All games are available via Steam, a leading online platform for the delivery and management of PC games with over 15 million accounts worldwide. For more details, please visit www.steamgames.com Official announcement on Steam »
IGN with rumors, a podcast and a Warplay column on X-COM
IGN has an strategy column going called Warplay. In its second installment the topic is X-COM. The first part is about the rumors that have been appearing on the internet for the last two years, which claim that there is a new X-COM game in development.
QUOTE It's no secret that 2K Games acquired the X-COM license from Atari in June of 2005 and there's been speculation ever since that the publisher was looking for a studio to work on a sequel. After a few more rumors surfaced this week, we decided to do a little more digging of our own to find out if the rumors were true. Our inside source told us, "There's not much to tell, actually, other than that it's real." Now we still don't have official confirmation that the game is being developed by the former Irrational team or to what extent, if any, Ken Levine is connected. There was apparently, at some time, discussion of assigning the project to 2K Marin but since it is hard at work on BioShock 2, that doesn't seem likely. The second part is about what IGN would like to see in a potential sequel. QUOTE So what would we like to see from this new sequel? Well, first and foremost, this is we're going to have to say we'd like to see another realistically modeled tactical strategy game. But even if the developers depart from that basic format, there are some key aspects of the design that we fell are necessary to maintain continuity with the franchise. First, the overall atmosphere of an alien invasion as an imminent global threat has to be maintained. While the original game definitely rode a wave of ET paranoia in the 1990s (thanks, Chris Carter), games where aliens invade the earth seem even more popular today than they were 15 years ago. IGN also has a separate news post about the rumor of a new X-COM game: QUOTE An inside source tells IGN that a new X-Com game is underway. Rumors of a new game have existed for quite some time due to the fact that 2K acquired the X-COM license from Infogrames back in 2007. (actually, it was acquired by Take 2 in 2005, as per USPTO; Gimli) Finally, IGN talks about X-COM in their Command Prompt podcast. The parts relevant to X-COM are from 6:24 (-53:30) to 14:33 (-45:20). They say they're more excited with a new X-COM then Doom 4. They hope for a remake of the first game with updated GUI and graphics. They mention Hasbro/Microprose ruining the franchise with Enforcer etc., and then closing shop. They mention Alliance and Genesis, and even the Pocket PC version of UFO. They also discuss "consolification", dumbing down and the PS version of UFO. »
Bioshock Team Working on New X-Com Game?
While on my miscellaneous wanderings of the net, I came across this little news item on Kotaku about a rumour running in the latest Official XBox Magazine. One can only hope it's true...
QUOTE The latest Official Xbox Mag is running a rumour that's been quietly - oh so quietly - doing the rounds for a few months now. That rumour concerns just what, exactly, 2K Boston (and I presume 2K Australia as well) are up to these days. With 2K Marin confirmed as the team behind BioShock 2, what could Ken Levine and the rest of the guys behind BioShock 1 be working on? Maybe a new X-Com game. Yes, X-Com. 2K quietly bought the rights to the series in 2007, so the rumour's at least got a solid footing, though we're still going to recommend you increase your daily intake of salt. If only because the thought of a new, official X-Com game is too awesome to mess around with. »
X-Com Gazing at Man Bytes Blog
The first installment of a series of articles on X-Com is now up at Man Bytes Blog. The articles, called Narrative of the Moment, will focus on the story aspect of X-Com, but this first one is more of an introduction with personal reflections. One bit that stood out to me is about the difficulty:
QUOTE X-COM is a dense game. I have become used to firing up games without ever looking at the manual. In fact, I consider it a measure of a good game if I can find my way around the interface simply through playing the game. If, like Wind Waker or Portal, the game trains me how to play gradually, without resorting to lengthy and dull tutorial levels, it receives high marks in my books. But the tutorial for X-COM is the manual. Launching the game and expecting to successfully navigate every aspect of the gameplay without reading the manual simply isn’t reasonable. Today, this might spell the game’s doom. But in 1993, it was more the norm than the exception. Now maybe I'm an amazing genius (unlikely since I'm typing this at a desk crowded with slinkies, light-up Virgin Mary pictures, and Pee Wee Herman figures), but I don't remember ever needing to refer to the manual to learn how to play X-Com. The interface pretty much seemed to clue you in to what you needed to know, like maybe that button with the little guy crouching will make my guy crouch or maybe that "Research" button means I should go there to research new stuff. »
X-Com: The Truth Is Out There article on The Escapist
Alan Au of The Escapist has recently written an article on X-COM. And while most fans won't find a lot of new information, its purpose was to make it accessible to the casual reader who may not be familiar with X-COM.
QUOTE X-COM: UFO Defense (aka UFO: Enemy Unknown, or often just "X-Com") is regarded as one of the all-time classic videogames. IGN rated it as the best PC game of all time in their 2007 list of favorite games. Even so, the X-Com franchise as a whole is plagued with mediocre sales, tepid reviews and general apathy from gamers who continue to rave about the original almost 15 years after its release. This strange dynamic underscores one of the great mysteries in the modern gaming world: What is X-Com's secret to success? Also, be sure to check the comments section. You'll find Stephen Goss, lead designer of X-COM: Terror From the Deep, posting there. Spotted thanks to Sorrow on the XComUFO forums »
Clancy: The X-Com Story
Clancy: The X-Com Story is a new mod for Half-Life 2 taking place in the X-COM universe. It is currently under development and the team is looking for help.
QUOTE Clancy: The X-Com Story is a singleplayer mod for Half-Life 2 that is currently under development. It is an original story set in the X-Com universe that will be available for free download once it is completed. The game will follow the story of Clancy, a police officer who later becomes an X-Com soldier. Clancy is not a remake of X-Com, nor an attempt to emulate the gameplay, but rather, a new story set in the X-Com universe. It is a first-person shooter that will focus on story and setting. Level design has begun, as well as weapon design and programming. While most of the design is based on the X-Com setting, we are developing some unique ideas to add additional depth to the game. There are screenshots in the media section as well as a teaser trailer.    »
X-COM on IGN's "Top 100 Games of all Time"
IGN has compiled their annual "Top 100 Games of all Time" list, and X-COM is the 21st game there.
QUOTE In March 2007, the IGN PC team called this "The best PC game of all time" and for good reason: this simple story of Earth responding to an alien invasion houses one of the most memorable and perfectly executed strategy games ever seen. That acclaim is due, in part, to the depth of gameplay, which allows you to manage each part of the battle against the invaders, giving you the flexibility to push for victory or pull back as you see fit. Link: IGN's Top 100 Games of all Time »
X-COM: TFTD Reaches a New Low
If you've not yet had a chance to try X-Com: Terror from the Deep, then Steam has a treat for you. The first X-Com sequel can now be downloaded from Steam for the absurdly low price of $2.45, less than the price of a beer in most places.
In related news, Steam also has UFO: Afterlight for $39.95, with 10% off if you grab it before May 11th. Thanks to Llyranor for the tip. »
X-COM: UFO is #1 says IGN
IGN has made a list of the best PC Games of all time, and despite some heavy competition X-COM was awarded the top spot on the list.
QUOTE Conceptually it's one of the finest strategy games to ever appear on any system. Putting the player in charge of a worldwide defense against an alien invasion, the original X-COM combined elements of sophisticated base management, high-tech research, engaging roleplaying, thrilling tactical combat and a tense, terrifying story to create an experience that has yet to be duplicated by any other game. »
XcomUtil Gets New Developer
XcomUtil is the longest running modification / tool ever created for the X-COM games. After more then 12 years of development Scott T Jones have decided to let others carry on his legacy. David Jones (aka. BladeFireLight) will step up, and he has already started working on the next version. You can read the full "press release" over at XCOMUFO.com
If you would like to read more about what XcomUtil does, head over to the official website. You can download the tool from our files section. |
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