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System Shock 2 Retrospect...and Possible Followup?
Starsmore writes: "Gamespot has a retrospective on the 1999 cult classic System Shock 2, which normally isn't that big of a deal on it's own, although it's a nice read for those interested in some of the stories behind the production of System Shock 2. The biggest draw is that tucked at the end of the article (and shown below for those that don't want to RTFA), is this: 'But why even look back at System Shock 2 at this point? Because Irrational has been, and it plans to make a related announcement this Friday (tomorrow). The studio has decided that it wishes to further what it started in System Shock 2--to work on games that promote "emergent" gameplay--open-ended exploration that offers many choices and combinations of options to players. You'll see what we mean tomorrow. Be sure to come back then.' " Could this possibly mean a sequel to the System Shock franchise? Update: 10/09 22:30 EDT by C : As many of you suspected, Irrational is in the process of developing BioShock , a "spiritual successor" to the System Shock games. Here's hoping they can distill much of what made games like System Shock and Thief so successful, yet succeed at their aim of building a game with truly emergent gameplay.
System Shock was absolutely excellent; I'm wondering if the proposed sequel will live up to the high standard set by the former. Generally, sequels don't seem to hit the high level of enjoyment as originals; it is interesting to note however that Half-Life 2 is very good, and has a lot of the same gameplay elements as Half-Life (another game I worship, incedently).
Doom 3 was a sequel to Doom1 (imho) because the engines for all *Doom* games was based on the same engine. And Doom 3 is epic (and that may be an understatement.)
What I am saying is, in essence, that SS2 could very well be brilliant as well; but don't be too shocked if it doesn't have as drastic an impact as its predecessor.
What I find endlessly interesting is the amount of effort and money being spent to make video games that mirror real life - as though there isn't this real life out there waiting for you!
I think it's a side effect of standardized education. We're all taught from early ages to respect the institution beyond our own personal judgements. Creativity is supressed in favor of complacency and "sit down, shut up". Psychological shackles are placed and maintained so consistently through our childhood, that we aren't even aware that we wear them. We succumb to the inevitable - prepare for and go to college, get a job, 401k, etc.....
But then, this new environment shows up, free of these shackles, and the first thing we want to do is to make it as much like our life as possible - only without these shackles.
"Free to do whatever you like". No shackles. Yet, the shackles aren't really there in the first place!
You don't need a job - you need money. You don't need a schedule. You don't need a boss. You don't need to sacrifice your day-to-day life in order to pay for that 7,000 environment killer to impress your neighbors. These things are all just stress. They are all just shackles!
The shackles are in your mind. How freeing it is to be rid of them! How pointless video games suddenly seem! The real world is so much richer, so much fuller, so much more inviting!
Finding your passion (such as, for me, engineering) is so incredibly rewarding! Knowing that on the morrow, when I awake, I will create peace for hundreds of people, some I've met, and many more I'll never know.
My works will ease the burden for these fine, good people. Their day will be a little brighter, their song will be a little lighter. And, these good people, will then be a little more free to spend their energies helping those they help.
I know this because they tell me so. I know this because I see the results. I've seen the kids, happy, hopeful, and bright.
What a joy it is to find one's true passion in life! Face your fears, clear away your shackles, and discover your true passion in life! Strength, joy, and peace of mind can be yours.
I have no problem with your religion until you decide it's reason to deprive others of the truth.
Well, we might never get a SS2 remake, but here's the next best thing. It's called System Shock 2 Rebirth, and it replaces most low-polygon meshes with new high-res counterparts. Looks like the development has stopped last year in Beta phase, but it's still worth checking out. I completed the game from start to finish with this mod and it didn't affect the gameplay at all.