System Shock 3 is happening. That much was made clear by developers Otherside Entertainment who revealed the highly anticipated sequel to the 90s cult classic late last year, along with a progress report on their already well into development Ultima spiritual successor, Underworld Ascendant. Yesterday, however, the project got infinitely more interesting.
Veteran game designer Warren Spector has announced that he has joined Otherside Entertainment as Studio Director, overseeing the development of a sequel to a series he helped initially create. Spector’s return comes after a three year break from game development, during which he pursued academic research and held small advisory roles within Otherside.
“I’ve loved working with students as Director of the Denius-Sams Gaming Academy in the University of Texas’ Moody College of Communication. But when the opportunity to have a bigger role in bringing Underworld Ascendant to life, as well as playing in the System Shock universe once again, helping to bring these games to a 21st century audience, I just couldn’t say no. Working on System Shock was one of the most fulfilling things I’ve done in my career and it’s hard to describe how much I’m looking forward to sharing with players what SHODAN has been up to since the last game was released.”
Spector’s last gaming venture, the Epic Mickey franchise, might not have been the swan song he had hoped to finish his career one, but his contribution to this industry can’t be understated. Specter played a big role in shaping the Thief franchise of old, as well as creating both Deus Ex and the original System Shock with Looking Glass Studios. Otherside founder Paul Neurath actually worked with Spector at Looking Glass, making this System Shock sequel a homecoming of sorts for both.
Otherside Entertainment is now quickly collecting a stellar team of development veterans to work on both of their project, with Spector joining the likes of Nate Wells (Art director on BioShock Infinite and The Last of Us), original System Shock lead designer Tim Stellmach and more. If you weren’t paying attention to Otherside and their revivals of classic franchises, now might be the time to start peering over the wall with some excitement.
Last Updated: February 18, 2016
Commander Admiral Chief
February 18, 2016 at 09:08
Finally, some good news
Hammersteyn
February 18, 2016 at 09:38
Exciting!
Commander Admiral Chief
February 18, 2016 at 09:42
So hyyype!
Captain JJ and his ensigns
February 18, 2016 at 09:16
AWESOME!
Did he have anything to do with the newer Deux Ex’s?……*googles*
Doesn’t seem like it. Only Invisible Crap and the original.
No wonder the original is still the bestest!
Commander Admiral Chief
February 18, 2016 at 09:18
I quite liked DXHR
Captain JJ and his ensigns
February 18, 2016 at 09:22
It was good, but it felt different. Wasn’t as dark and the mechanics were too much like the modern Splinter Cell and Hitman games.
Commander Admiral Chief
February 18, 2016 at 09:23
Aye, but it was a good evolution I think
Captain JJ and his ensigns
February 18, 2016 at 09:24
It just made stealthing so much easier when you can see where the character wouldn’t actually be able to see.
I’m not so fond of that mechanic.
Hammersteyn
February 18, 2016 at 09:39
same here, but it did feel a little casual
Captain JJ and his ensigns
February 18, 2016 at 09:39
That’s the perfect word for it. It felt casual compared to the first.
Commander Admiral Chief
February 18, 2016 at 09:42
Because it was made so the console folks could join in
Hammersteyn
February 18, 2016 at 10:01
I’m not even sorry
Commander Admiral Chief
February 18, 2016 at 09:20
First DX remained my favourite game for a number of years. And almost no one knew about it.
They all missed out.
Then DX IW came out………..we don’t talk about that.
When DXHR came out, they were all like wow what a game etc etc, I’m like, yeah, please, been DX supporter from the start.
Kromas untamed
February 18, 2016 at 09:23
DX won multiple game of the year awards. I am fairly sure that meant that people knew about it. 🙂
If we are talking about an Ion Storm game that was amazing that no one knew about then my money is on Anachronox.
Commander Admiral Chief
February 18, 2016 at 09:23
Yes it won awards, and yes was an awesome game. But the people I knew back then was quite oblivious to it
Kromas untamed
February 18, 2016 at 09:26
The people you knew back then obviously were not PC gamers. 🙂
Commander Admiral Chief
February 18, 2016 at 09:27
Why do you think I don’t mingle with them since then?
xD
Captain JJ and his ensigns
February 18, 2016 at 09:24
I played it back when it came out and then at Uni I made friends with a fellow gamer, once mentioned that I loved Deus Ex and he found and bought me a physical copy for my birthday. He has since become my favourite bro 😀
Commander Admiral Chief
February 18, 2016 at 09:26
You cut me deep ensign, you cut me real deep
Captain JJ and his ensigns
February 18, 2016 at 09:30
You’re my up and coming bro. 😀
Commander Admiral Chief
February 18, 2016 at 09:41
Dawwwwwwww
miaau
February 18, 2016 at 09:39
Captain. Is easy to know, cause it says so in the name
Commander Admiral Chief
February 18, 2016 at 09:41
Clearly you missed the memo
Mighty Meh
February 18, 2016 at 13:20
The first DX will always have a special place in my heart. Found it on my way older brother’s PC when I was in high school with no idea what it was about, like absolutely nothing. There is something about discovering a game with zero hype (as if there was any back then) and it absolutely blowing your mind.
Commander Admiral Chief
February 18, 2016 at 14:37
Same here. Got the demo on a PC Format CD (YES CD) way back when.
BLEW MY FRIGGEN MIND
Replayed the demo about a hundred times
Hammersteyn
February 18, 2016 at 09:38
Agreed!
Original Heretic
February 18, 2016 at 09:19
All this news and we’r gonna wait another 4 years for it. Why can’t more developers pull a Bethesda and six months before release go “Oh, by the way…”
Kromas untamed
February 18, 2016 at 09:19
System Shock 3. This is my second most anticipated 3rd game in a franchise. My top anticipated game will never happen cause Valve is too busy making crappy controllers and screwing with Linux.
Commander Admiral Chief
February 18, 2016 at 09:21
Amen brother
Captain JJ and his ensigns
February 18, 2016 at 09:25
It’s Team Fortress, isn’t it? 😛
Kromas untamed
February 18, 2016 at 09:29
Well you most likely are a team of two and you may even go into a fortress. The storyline may get Heavy and I am certain that you will have to Scout an area at some point. There were even rumors about a Spy who posed as a Medic. Some something the other two characters that I can’t recall now.
Commander Admiral Chief
February 18, 2016 at 09:41
xD
Hammersteyn
February 18, 2016 at 09:39
Dota 3?
Hammersteyn
February 18, 2016 at 09:37
https://media.giphy.com/media/k9qu4GDdGVDLa/giphy.gif
Commander Admiral Chief
February 18, 2016 at 09:42
This gif sums up my feelings perfectly!
Captain JJ and his ensigns
February 18, 2016 at 09:45
The dog sums up how pc gamers felt with Arkham Knight.
RinceThis
February 18, 2016 at 09:52
lol
Hammersteyn
February 18, 2016 at 09:59
XD
Jan Prins
February 18, 2016 at 09:46
I have not played System Shock 1 or 2. I have played the original Deus Ex though. And THAT game blew my mind.
Especially when your commander tells you to keep out of the women’s bathroom.
So I might be interested in System Shock 3.
Commander Admiral Chief
February 18, 2016 at 09:49
SS2 was a magnificent experience!
Captain JJ and his ensigns
February 18, 2016 at 09:51
I missed SS2 and by the time I heard how awesome it was the game was just too old to get that same experience as you guys did.
Commander Admiral Chief
February 18, 2016 at 09:53
Well, you can get it now, and load the HD texture pack (moerse download)
Captain JJ and his ensigns
February 18, 2016 at 09:55
I’ll look into it.
It’s not the same though. I got Deus Ex REVISED on Steam, which looks really good, but you’ll never experience it like you did way back when those mechanics were new.
Commander Admiral Chief
February 18, 2016 at 09:56
Agreed, but SS2 is a masterpiece
Hammersteyn
February 18, 2016 at 10:00
RPG survival horror in space with a homicidal AI tormenting you, one of the golden moments in gaming
Commander Admiral Chief
February 18, 2016 at 10:01
Aye.
Shodan was crazy, but the Many were creepy as hell. And those friggen cloaked spiders!!!!
Hammersteyn
February 18, 2016 at 10:01
F**k those spiders
Commander Admiral Chief
February 18, 2016 at 10:02
http://www.gamebanshee.com/systemshock2/enemies/images/annelidarachnidadult.jpg
Viking Of Science
February 18, 2016 at 10:10
I’ve Got Such A Huge Erection right now….