GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.

XCOM FPS invading 360s, PCs

First-person shooter "re-imagining" of classic sci-fi series confirmed; BioShock 2 dev house 2K Marin at the helm.

300 Comments

Rumors that 2K was working on a fresh take on the classic X-Com games have been bubbling since the publisher acquired the license from Atari in 2005. That speculation came back with a vengeance last year after a resume was unearthed from a 3D artist who formerly was with 2K Australia. The document listed X-Com as one of the titles he had worked on.

An alien attacks in XCOM.
An alien attacks in XCOM.

All the gossip has now proved to be true, with 2K today confirming that it is indeed working on a new game in the alien-focused franchise, simply titled "XCOM." The publisher is billing the new Xbox 360 and PC game as a "re-imagining" of the franchise. Unlike the turn-based strategy and resource management core of the original X-Com: UFO Defense, the new title will be a first-person shooter. Players will take the role of an FBI agent whose job is to identify and eliminate an unknown extraterrestrial threat.

While Irrational Games head Ken Levine last year professed his admiration for the franchise, it seems his studio will not be in charge of the reboot. 2K Marin--made up of studios in Novato, California, and Canberra, Australia--will be developing the game, with the Australian offices taking the lead on the project. 2K Marin's last project was the critically well-received BioShock 2, which has now shipped more than 3 million units worldwide.

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

Join the conversation
There are 300 comments about this story
300 Comments  RefreshSorted By 
GameSpot has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to toxic conduct in comments. Any abusive, racist, sexist, threatening, bullying, vulgar, and otherwise objectionable behavior will result in moderation and/or account termination. Please keep your discussion civil.

Avatar image for Mikerush76
Mikerush76

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

This is a old article lucky for all true xcom fans they decided to abandon the FPS route and try and recreate the original epic strategy game feel!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Smintar
Smintar

72

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 31

User Lists: 0

I still play this Old timer but not old as Xcom UFO still enjoy it too. I will say it would be nice to see an updated version same format but with newer everything city should like a real city similar to that in Aftermath. or better. it could use some big improvements simply because of the evolution of tech over the past 13 years. Be nice to see it happen. Dont forget u can play it at steam for $5 at best. enjoy!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for prontopup20
prontopup20

55

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

@undead4110 i agree with you, people dont appreciate the complexity of old style video games anymore, they rather blow up stuff than think out a strategy to defeat the opponent, but i would like to see how this game will end up, im kind of hoping for it to be good. but there are plenty of FPS out there, so ill wait for the reviews.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Totoran
Totoran

28

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

i can't believe so many ppl is still caring about this game. I love this game. I definitely agree not to make X-com into the FPS. because the success of the game is the style of gameplay and the details/ uniqueness of the system. The unsuccessful predecessor haven't grasp the main elements of the game, if 2k want to go down with the rest of those predecessor. Go ahead and test the market.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Makka_HS
Makka_HS

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

You cant make Xcom an FPS. Its just sad and fail. Maybe if it was like the older management system with an FPS feature in it that would be cool. But seriously making it just and FPS? We already have Halo, Medal of honor, Call of duty, Battlefield, Crisis, Borderlands, Counterstrike and plenty more of mindless shoot things and blow things up games. I know we dont have all the details yet but if its going to be anything other then just another FPS let us know now. Give me a remake of Xcom or Apocalypse and I will play it. Give me a mindless shooter and I wont need it with the myriad of other choices I have. I just had to add that the only people Ive seen agreeing with the way this game is going is people with pictures of master chief (halo) as their DP *rolls eyes*

Upvote • 
Avatar image for undead4110
undead4110

418

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

@iceeman the old style doesn't sell anymore becuase consoles have the monopoly now and console gamers don't want hard game ir games that aren't 3 rd they want shooter with big explosions and lots of boom booms god forbid you give them something that requires thinking. Here what the average console gamer thinks of tbs games. << LINK REMOVED >>

Upvote • 
Avatar image for iceeman
iceeman

134

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

note to those responsible for pc games: while i do play a few modern pc games, i still play all my old pc games i bought over the last 2.5 decades, like the old xcoms. why don't you make the old style games anymore? sick of getting only shooters.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for snoos
snoos

86

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

This saddens me to the core. Yet another nail in the turn-based strategy coffin. Civ and Disgea are the only two series left with some legs. I'm sure the game will be "fun" in the mindless point, shoot, 'n loot way Fallout 3 was, but the struggle to survive as a squad and unearth a strange alien tech that the orginal had will be gone, or an after thought at best. I hope the game isn't published, even though I lived in marin once.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for gunner967
gunner967

85

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

I'm waiting, but I admit, I'm a little skeptical of the FPS part of it.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for siarhei
siarhei

2971

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 15

User Lists: 0

It might be an allright FPS if the storyline agrees with original Xcom. Like if you play as one of the recruits on Xcom and the plot thickens as you progress.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Onyx99
Onyx99

52

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 6

User Lists: 0

This is a classic and great strategy game. It should not be made into an FPS. Even if it is somehow a good game it won't be XCom.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for SavoyPrime
SavoyPrime

41098

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 56

User Lists: 0

XCOM should not be remade as a FPS. Just because the industry seems to be stuck on stupid when it comes to shooters doesn't mean that classic games should be forced into the genre.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Coordin
Coordin

66

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

XCOM is NOT a FPS.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for zodiackilla
zodiackilla

74

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

XCOM UFO defense is still a great game why would you take out all the best things ( turned based tactical combat, building bases, micro managing almost everything) and make it into a brainless run and gun why not make it a really good rpg rts just stupid I hope they prove me wrong and make a game that brings xcom back to its real gameplay rpg RTS roots

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Joaovpo
Joaovpo

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

Gosh if they wanted to make a FPS they should created another game, not change an already existing one

Upvote • 
Avatar image for it009x9281
it009x9281

346

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 6

User Lists: 0

I think a FPS take on the game is a mistake the turn based original was good and i liked UFOs RTS style but XCOM original always felt right i mean who doesnt love the blaster launcher from XCOM

Upvote • 
Avatar image for deactivated-5802d4d9371b3
deactivated-5802d4d9371b3

613

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

DFalcon999 wrote: 3. These are the SAME PEOPLE who brought us DEEP FPS games like BioShock and System Shock, games that arguably have more depth than some 'smarter' games. While I admire the enthusiasm of the remainder of your post, I would like to remind you that 2K Marin is NOT the same team behind System Shock 2 and BioShock. 2K Marin only worked on BioShock 2, while Ken Levine's team at Irrational Games worked on the others. Irrational is working on a zombie shooter a la L4D actually. I'm not saying that because I think this is doomed to fail, I mean 2K Marin has a fairly good track record, and 2K as a whole is one of the best developing/publishing companies out there. I never played the original X-COMs, but I can understand the frustration here.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for thebigfatkill
thebigfatkill

41

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

They are destroying the core of the game. Instead of taking the time to add what has already been a tried and true formula of legendary turn-based strategy sci-fi format, their "reimagining" is just another way of "reimagining" their revenues with as least work as possible. This is going to be Fallout 3 with an X-Com skin. Great job Microprose for selling out your rights to what is arguably the best turn-based game in history for another Doom clone. Please redeem yourself and make small improvements to the original. We don't need your "reimagination."

Upvote • 
Avatar image for tequilasunriser
tequilasunriser

6379

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Why must the video game industry always "reimagine" old franchise as FPS games? Yeah, it takes a lot of imagination to make an FPS. Maybe in 10 or 20 years the Need for Speed franchise will be "reimagined" into an FPS. Oh, and then maybe The Sims too! Best of all I can't wait for the FPS "reimagining" of Tetris. I mean, it makes plenty of sense right? /sarcasm /rant

Upvote • 
Avatar image for varietymage
VarietyMage

204

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

If I want an FPS, I'll play S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and its sequels. I can't imagine XCOM as an FPS without thinking "Duke Nukem clone". The whole point of XCOM was squads of un-ready Earthlings taking on an ever-increasingly-powerful alien race who could shoot, detonate, and psychically take over the green recruits. I can see it now...30 seconds into the game and I'm possessed, shooting civilians with no control over my grunt at all. Lots of fun, yeah. Maybe as a multi-player game it might work, but single-player would be extremely lame. Hell, I'd rather re-load XCOM Apocalypse and play that.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Malhound
Malhound

263

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

LASER SQUAD FPS! Make The Laser Squad return!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for 2point5RSman
2point5RSman

122

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

XCOM deserved better than this... its exactly what happened to fallout

Upvote • 
Avatar image for wiouds
wiouds

6233

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Halo War is a good game so it can work but that is rare. I think I will play the UFO ... from Cenega instead.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for weedman1985
weedman1985

345

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 53

User Lists: 0

@Dfalcon999, Fallout 3 is a good game indeed. But compared to the originals, it's nothing more than a polished turd.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ShinwaOkami
ShinwaOkami

164

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

Hopefully this project will be plagued with cutbacks and issues until it never happens. X-Com has already had it's share of blunders and frankly I doubt anything that comes along will ever be as good as UFO or TFTD.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for wwlettsome
wwlettsome

1314

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 37

User Lists: 0

Wow how totally uninspired...taking one of the best PC games ever and turning into a FPS against aliens, cause obviously that hasn't been done to death over the last few years. But wait they will throw in the F Bee Eye...um, ok. So your angle is X-Files meets Gears of War. Someone call Mulder and Scully. I can't wait for the six hour campaign followed by the run and gun multiplayer maps and the overpriced DLC. You 2K are crapping on the memory of a great game. Shame on you.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for freema
freema

801

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@Afterthought_bt well I'm not very surprised at the whole American focus of the story. After all it is going to be xbox 360 "semi-exclusive".

Upvote • 
Avatar image for SolhZ
SolhZ

28

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

This is the first time I've been tempted to boycott a game. The franchise was not great because of the "mythos" or world that they built, it was great because of the *mechanics* of the game play. There is something profoundly lame about locking up the franchise for years and then producing something that basically just takes the name and uses it for marketing.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Afterthought_bt
Afterthought_bt

26

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 0

What irritates me as much as it being a FPS is this talk of 'FBI' agent. The original X-Com was made by Mythos (a British company, incidentally), and was purposefully made to include the whole damn world. A worldwide organisation to deal with a worldwide threat. Whilst there is certainly a type of American that believes America is the world, that doesn't mean the rest of us share it! As it so happened, the US in my games always tended to give into the aliens quickly, so much of my UFO and TFTD experience was defeating the aliens in spite of America!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for DFalcon999
DFalcon999

239

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I'm still saying it's WAY TOO SOON for people to be crying 'doom' or 'perversion of the franchise', especially since X-COM hit bottom LONG AGO, "Enforcer", remember? I remember similar outcry for Fallout 3, and that game ended up being better and more "Fallout" than the last 2 Fallout games (Tactics and BOS) that were made by the original company. Seriously, wait until we actually SEE more of the game at a later state, this could be a Reboot on par with Casino Royale.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for BongMonkey
BongMonkey

191

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 0

This is not XCOM. I was excited all the way to FPS. Could have been so awesome.. this is crap.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for chaldoboy14
chaldoboy14

147

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

I'm worried about this one. Fallout 3 was an excellent idea to turn into an FPS/RPG all it does is change the perspective/view of the character. I can't see an XCOM FPS happening. Sure it could be good, but I still wouldn't consider it XCOM unless it stays to its true formula, which the FPS part already kills that.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Binzen
Binzen

139

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

:^(

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Visitor_basic
Visitor_basic

580

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 16

User Lists: 0

Maybe I was a little heavy handed with the first post. This will be my last. No, spacealien in the Universe could ever force me to even think about playing a FPS -XCOM.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for MindlessTeef
MindlessTeef

1392

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 8

User Lists: 0

Don't we have enough FPS's as it is!? And not XCOM! Okay, Fallout 3 turned out rather cool, change of perspective and all and I'm not saying a FPS XCOM would be a bad game... but another FPS? The first three XCOM titles where awesome... then they tried to change the formula. A flight sim... a third person action game... the the company folded while creating Alliance (squad based FPS). Shouldn't that have been an indication that fans WANT XCOM to remain a tactical turn-based strategy?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for varietymage
VarietyMage

204

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Forget the 3D shooter. Give the original XCOM code to Sid Meier at Firaxis, and tell him to make a new, even better turn-based XCOM game. He'd do it right.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for freema
freema

801

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

This has the potential to suck.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for AlmightyMax
AlmightyMax

1087

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 34

User Lists: 0

No.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Visitor_basic
Visitor_basic

580

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 16

User Lists: 0

Yes, play your Hanna Montana of X-COM version and know that is the level of development of your brain also. Dumbing down America? Oh, that's what they want! Who? The retards of modern life made by the education system of this modern life. No need to worry spacetime aliens of the Universe, humans are on this Planet in this Universe.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Pete5506
Pete5506

10112

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 39

User Lists: 0

I hope this can turn out to be a good thing

Upvote • 
Avatar image for lonewolf1044
lonewolf1044

4985

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 6

User Lists: 0

Yes, Xcom series was excellent when it was out back in the day. But now with computers that is far advanced than that 386 or 486, the game is a b+++h to get to run and the graphics are dated. It is time for a update on it and sometimes it is better to look at it at a different angle. If Fallout can be redone, then so can XCOM. Stop living in the past and accept the future, who knows they may do a good job however, it would be good tohave some of the original devs on board.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for acemcgregor
acemcgregor

3743

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Microsoft & 2K Studios... this will be Shadowrun all over again. Games like Fallout worked because the core mechanics stayed the same. X-Com has many different aspects to it that need to stay the same otherwise it will fail.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for masterlu
masterlu

164

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

Gaaah! When will you stop derailing the franchise with these harebrained ideas?! What made the original X-Coms great was specifically the freedom to do what you want and manage limited resources and make strategic decisions.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for truthbetold101
truthbetold101

228

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

...so why was this in the ps3 news section as well lol. makes no sence but whatever. hope this turns out well

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Rollinthunder01
Rollinthunder01

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Why can't they just do a re-make, updating the graphics and adapting it to the consoles and PC and give a new generation a great gaming experience. Minimal cost and and probably great return on expense. For those that haven't experienced X-com it is on Steam.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for weedman1985
weedman1985

345

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 53

User Lists: 0

Here is a great idea, why not take that FPS and name it with a new name, i.e start a new franchise? oh wait, you can't do that, can you? because then you won't cash in on the wonderful X-Com license you got laying around gathering dust for almost two decades, or perhaps you just ran out of ideas and are trying to resurrect old classics as a desperate attempt to stay afloat? Whatever the case is, franchises should stay true to the franchise they came from, else there is no point in making a new game that isn't true to the series unless you want to cash in on the hype. A very lame and preposterous idea. Lo and behold - C&C4 - a fine example of what this **** leads to.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for DFalcon999
DFalcon999

239

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Everyone take a chill pill. 1. Great franchises should go beyond their base. 2. The last X-COM game in production was originally a squad-based shooter anyway. 3. These are the SAME PEOPLE who brought us DEEP FPS games like BioShock and System Shock, games that arguably have more depth than some 'smarter' games. X-COM being a squad-based shooter makes PERFECT sense to me, I think it'd be an interesting switch to be the Field Officer or Grunt Soldier for a change versus the omniscient untouchable commander. Really, my only gripe with this is the initial description that the player character will be an FBI agent instead of a X-COM, but who knows? When they first announced BioShock, they stated you'd investigate old Third Reich facilities or something like that.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for OgreB
OgreB

2523

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Almost got excited...until I saw the FPS part. They should do themselves ( and the rabid X-Com fans ) by simply naming it something else... How about X-Files...there is an FBI agent chasing ETs....sound familiar?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for wcw6
wcw6

37

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

An X-COM fps ISN'T X-COM anymore. X-COM is not just a turn-based strategy/tactical game, it was and had EVERYTHING. The start of X-COM made you feel how pathetically weak you are even against the alien's weakest. You suffered plenty. Then you slowly progress, researching on your own items and eventually using their tech against them. Eventually at the end you reach "Godhood" with Mind Control and you kill every single son-of-a-b*tch by turning themselves against each other. It was incredibly rewarding. It can pass off as a horror game, the atmosphere was eerie, the music was as well. I got horrified seeing Chrysalids in the shadows and totally shocked when they appear in front of my squad back then and even now when I replay. It will be a laugh if the new FPS can't reach the atmosphere of the original game. The battles were intense, I reloaded sh*t many times just trying to save one person from dying. If you play through without reloading, you're in for a even tougher time and more rewarding experience. If only they can make a FP and TP game with all the base-building, researching, alien capturing coupled with a tactical squad-based shooter, but I HIGHLY doubt they will. Pull off a Bioshock again for this, e.g. add in some upgradeable items or skills and call it a Strategy Shooter I'll point the middle finger at them. They're messing with one of the BEST games on the PC of all time with nearly unequaled/unparalleled gameplay depth not seen in most other modern games.

Upvote •