Star-Crossed? System Shock 3 In Development
Fascinating. Just as BioShock is ready to drop, now this: PC Gamer UK has apparently confirmed rumors that System Shock 3 is in development by Electronic Arts’ Redwood Shores studio, makers of the mediocre PC game The Godfather. Since EA owns the System Shock 3 intellectual property, and Irrational Games (the creators of said property) are now owned by 2K Games, Irrational will (sadly) not have anything to do with this project.
So while BioShock is the “spiritual successor” to System Shock 2, it now appears that there will also be an actual successor. Will it suck? In the hands of a different studio, governed by the bean-counting EA, I have serious suckage fears. But I will certainly keep my eye on this — Shock is, after all, my favorite PC game series of all time.
Ironically, Irrational Games’ Ken Levine said that he created BioShock instead of pursuing a System Shock sequel because EA, owners of the Shock property, “didn’t give a shit about that game.” Because although Shock 2 is one of the most critically-acclaimed PC games of all time, it was a sales failure, and that’s all EA usually cares about.
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Having played some of the crap-tastic Harry Potter games EA has shoved out over the last few years (though not of my own volition, mind you), I can only imagine what SS3 in their hands would turn out like. I’ll bet the only reason EA is even contemplating this is because of the massive hype surrounding BioShock, and they want in on that action.
Even if EA wasn’t the Evil Entertainment Empire Supreme, I think it would take an act of God for SS3 to possibly live up to the standard set by SS2. They say BioShock does, which I can believe only because Irrational developed it.
I mean…when you look at the endless, tiresome sequels in series like Need For Speed and Medal of Honor that EA has pumped out over the years, as well as their continuing to charge full-price for the annual update to all of their sports games that don’t even change at all except for the team lineups…well, it doesn’t paint a rosy picture for a little-known, intellectually-minded franchise like Shock.
But because I love Shock so much, I’ll keep an open mind right up until the reviews come in.
Oh! And on a loosely-related note, the BioShock PC demo is scheduled to arrive here on Friday, so I’ll be giving it a try!
Hah, I’d momentarily forgotten all about the silly sequel madness that EA revels in (though I shouldn’t have, because for the last few days all I’ve heard about is the latest Madden game…how I wish that series would go away). You’re right in that regard; so if SS3 gets made and is somehow profitable, does that mean they’ll keep going? Maybe somehow dumb it down like they did with Need for Speed, and maybe add a street racing element? (SHODAN could be the game’s race queen.)
Not that I’ve never enjoyed any EA games, but storylines and complex gaming aren’t their forte — which is pretty much what System Shock is based around. I’ll keep an open mind, but I’m not too hopeful.