Can someone explain X-COM to me?

[triggrhappy94]

So, I'm aware of its history I get that, but I'm not sure what's up with their newest game.
I remember reading an exclusive in Game Informer acouple months back that made it seem like the game invovled LA Noire-esque detectives investaging alien attacks in small town America. In their latest issue, however, they had another exclusive for XCom which invovled more advanced technology and soldiers in big armor. Are there two different Xcom games, did it get changed, or what?

 

[GothmogII]

Long story short: 2K Marin are making an XCOM sequel. They of BioShock 2 fame/infamy depending on who you ask. However, there was a slight kerfuffle around the internets because, unlike the original XCOM games (well the first 3 or so) this new game was A: A first person shooter. And B: Completely removed from the setting in terms of tone and aesthetic.

To answer your second question: Yes, they are two separate games.

The second game, the one with the power armoured soldiers is going to be a turn-based strategy (I think) but...and I'm not entirely clear on this bit, a console focused TBS. But, the studio behind it Firaxis Games, is well known for their strategy games such as Civilisation and seem to be a good choice for the project.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

Long story short: 2K Marin are making an XCOM sequel. They of BioShock 2 fame/infamy depending on who you ask. However, there was a slight kerfuffle around the internets because, unlike the original XCOM games (well the first 3 or so) this new game was A: A first person shooter. And B: Completely removed from the setting in terms of tone and aesthetic.

To answer your second question: Yes, they are two separate games.

The second game, the one with the power armoured soldiers is going to be a turn-based strategy (I think) but...and I'm not entirely clear on this bit, a console focused TBS. But, the studio behind it Firaxis Games, is well known for their strategy games such as Civilisation and seem to be a good choice for the project.

Basically this, except the speculation is that it will be multiplatform, and it's just that the screenshots we've had so far are from the 360 version. Also, the stories of the two games are intertwined, with the FPS being a prequel to the TBS.

 

[AngleWyrm]

Are there two different Xcom games, did it get changed, or what?

Yes, there are two different games in development. Originally 2k Marin started developing a first person shooter, then 2k bought the license for X-COM and decided to sell the FPS as XCOM. Hey, brand recognition. It'll increase sales, right? Just skin the troops appropriately, make some missions to go kill aliens. Job done.

Except that the people who actually played X-COM were playing a strategic planning game, carefully spending movement points and research points, stressing over imperfections and experiencing shopper's remorse when pressing the End Turn button. The X-COM audience was not at all interested in a Halo clone, and the Gears of War crowd weren't fans of X-COM. So brand recognition had completely failed, and development of XCOM left the spotlight of Great Idea.

So 2k, the proud new owners of the X-COM license, have since decided to create a second game, being developed by 2k Firaxis, called X-COM:Enemy Unknown. That game, which is also under development, will be a turn-based strategy game similar to the original series.