Rumor: System Shock 2 Coming to GOG

[Andy Chalk]

Rumor: System Shock 2 Coming to GOG

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A very interesting rumor going around claims that the great System Shock 2 is about to return.

I don't normally spend much time on rumors about this game or that coming to one service or another, but this is no ordinary rumor, and no ordinary game. G4 [http://www.amazon.com/System-Shock-2-Pc/dp/B00000K4AX/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360620682&sr=8-1&keywords=system+Shock+2], has meant that a true sequel, and even re-releases of System Shock 2, would likely never happen.

But the word on the street is that something has changed. Flesh Eating Zipper reports that a digital release of System Shock 2 is headed to GOG "within days," while a Steam release is also in the offing. The site claims that the "new" release is being put together by Facebook page [http://www.nightdivestudios.com/] specializes in "finding classic, abandoned and forgotten PC games and bringing them back into the hands of gamers." The site also claims that the extra content in the GOG bundle, which typically includes soundtracks, art, forum icons and so forth, will be "well worth the price."

I cannot stress enough that this is an entirely unverified rumor, and neither GOG nor Night Dive have yet responded to inquiries, so don't get yourself too wound up about it. But if it is true, it will be a heck of a thing. We'll keep you posted.

Source: GameSpy [http://www.flesheatingzipper.com/gaming/2013/02/fear-me-hacker-system-shock-2-to-resurface-with-gog-release-soon-steam-to-follow]


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[Starke]

As I recall, the System Shock rights ended up in the hands of an insurance company, or the like, who were wanting some ridiculous amount of money up front to license it.

 

[Sixcess]

Last time I checked System Shock 2 was the most requested game not yet available on GOG, so if this is true it's great news. I have it installed on an older PC, but even then it's a bit hit and miss if it actually works so I'd love a version designed for compatibility with modern systems.

I do wonder a bit if it'll retain its legendary reputation once more modern gamers get to play it. I've found it to be brutally hard, even by the less forgiving standards of late 90s gaming.

 

[Coach Morrison]

Please be real. Please be real. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD LET THIS HAPPEN!!!!!

I'm ready to hear that it isn't real though.

 

[ratix2]

Last time I checked System Shock 2 was the most requested game not yet available on GOG, so if this is true it's great news. I have it installed on an older PC, but even then it's a bit hit and miss if it actually works so I'd love a version designed for compatibility with modern systems.

I do wonder a bit if it'll retain its legendary reputation once more modern gamers get to play it. I've found it to be brutally hard, even by the less forgiving standards of late 90s gaming.

It's actually the most requested game on GoG PERIOD, and has been since day one.

As I recall, the System Shock rights ended up in the hands of an insurance company, or the like, who were wanting some ridiculous amount of money up front to license it.

Not only did they want a lot of money but they wanted to keep the rights to the ip and wanted a significant cut of the profits, and since ea owns the trademark meant that no developer could afford it and no publisher would touch it. If these guys actually got a hold of this for a re release I'd like to know how they did it.

 

[Doom972]

I remember it being officially abandoned and made free. I remember links to download it on the official TTLG forums. Although if they find a way to make it work properly (with videos and music working), I guess it might be worth a couple of bucks.

 

[BreakfastMan]

If you will excuse me, everyone, I have money I need to throw against my monitor.

PS: When will we get a GOG release of Homeworld? I desperately need this to happen immediately!

 

[Albino Boo]

I remember it being officially abandoned and made free. I remember links to download it on the official TTLG forums. Although if they find a way to make it work properly (with videos and music working), I guess it might be worth a couple of bucks.

I referee you this post on TTLG fourms
http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65259

Not only did they want a lot of money but they wanted to keep the rights to the ip and wanted a significant cut of the profits, and since ea owns the trademark meant that no developer could afford it and no publisher would touch it. If these guys actually got a hold of this for a re release I'd like to know how they did it.

My guess is that they EA and the insurance company split the revenue down the middle for the sales and as a way of gauging demand for system shock.

 

[Scars Unseen]

It'll be great for people to finally have a legitimate way to play this game. I got lucky and found an Australian copy before stock ran out completely, but I would probably get a GoG version too if it were offered.

 

[ohnoitsabear]

I really, really hope this is true. System Shock 2 is one of those games I've really wanted to play, but haven't been able to for a variety of reasons. If this happens, I would so buy it.

 

[Ignatz_Zwakh]

Argh, rumors like this drive me mad....now I'm gonna spend weeks hoping it turns out to be true...

 

[Callate]

Maybe when more people actually play it, we'll get to stop hearing about how great it is...?

(Sorry. I'm the heretic who thinks the game- while admittedly having some good points- is vastly over-rated as a whole.)

 

[ramboondiea]

i though system shock 2 was ano-go? currently owned by a small law firm unwilling to give the licence out unless someone was willing to pay ludicrous (not the rapper) amount of money?

 

[Dfskelleton]

Please, let this be true...
I already have SS2 (one of my favorite games of all time), but an easy, affordable, legal (or at least not in a legal gray-area), and quick way for people to get their hands on it could mean quite a lot. More people need to play SS2. They need to.
Please let this be real...

 

[Farthing]

Ah Looking Glass studios. Your perfect storm of game development is reflected in only the best of today's games. I hope one day to see a studio create so many savory products again.

 

[neonsword13-ops]

I've wanted to play System Shock ever since I found out that it was Bioshock's spiritual successor. So please be true rumor, please be true.

And please, for the love of god, make it play on Windows 8!

 

[Farthing]

Maybe when more people actually play it, we'll get to stop hearing about how great it is...?

(Sorry. I'm the heretic who thinks the game- while admittedly having some good points- is vastly over-rated as a whole.)

Ah good. There are some of these. While SS2 is one of the greatest games ever made in my opinion, there are lots of reasons to dislike it.

Flavor and graphics age aside, the gameplay is rather harsh. Resources are rather restricted and inventory space is limited. The more firepower you carry, the more vulnerable you will be to damage. No resource regeneration here either. Damage lasts until healed with items.

There are a ridiculous number of progression paths in this game, many of which have their own subsystems to learn. While most paths work, some are MUCH better than others. While the tutorial does a great job at introducing you to the base mechanics, there are a huge number of other mechanics that you might not even know about until the game points them out to you as part of a puzzle. Further, all puzzles in the game appear through menus that only block a small portion of the screen. Hacking, repairing, upgrading all need to be done in real time, possibly while being shot at or as other things are happening. There are even some health related subsystems that are never properly explained, you just have to figure them out.

While not the "qwop" that SS1 was, the controls have a tendency to be complicated as well, featuring running, walking, sneaking, crouching, jumping, climbing, mantling, and leaning. Modern fps's tend to eschew many of these mechanics in favor of a simplified control scheme that won't accidentally kill a player.

The story can be a little dead at times. Told mostly through the audiologs and emails you find around the ships, with the occasional call from your boss, you don't have any real interaction with non-enemy characters. Most of these are pretty short and directly related to things you find in-game, but a few are just fluff.

The game also has a tendency to drag out a bit. Its almost twice the length of more recent releases, and takes some pretty crazy turns wrapped up with a really ???? ending.

While not up to the standards of some of today's games, I at least appreciate these faults and find that they make the experience that much more fun.

 

[Singularly Datarific]

Never been able to play it. Hope it works

 

[Andy Chalk]

Ah good. There are some of these. While SS2 is one of the greatest games ever made in my opinion, there are lots of reasons to dislike it.

I don't really want to be the one to bring this up, but you do realize that you're complaining that the game is challenging, complex, varied and substantial, right?