XCOM was a tough game when it launched, made even tougher by the included IronMan mode which limited your saves, made enemies tougher and general was unforgiving with mistakes. The Long War, the most famous mod for Firaxis’ strategy game, dialled that up to 11 – introducing classes, new strategies and generally making the game harder to understand. It was a massive hit with players, which is why Firaxis has now hired the team behind it.
In a rather great move Firaxis have acquired the helping hands of the Long War modders, bringing them in-house to design mods for XCOM 2 in time for launch and beyond. There’s no word yet on what types of mods they’ll be creating, but given their work on Long War it wouldn’t be surprising if they were working on something similar. Firaxis has already stressed how XCOM 2 embraces mods on PC (the only platform the game is on), so a move like this makes a ton of sense.
It’s a great move not only for XCOM 2, but for the individuals who now find themselves working at a studio too. The group have already announced that they plan to fly solo eventually under the name Long War Studios, and the synopsis for their first Kickstarter, Terra Invicta, game sounds suspiciously like XCOM – because why wouldn’t it.
An alien force has arrived in the far reaches of Solar System and begun probing Earth’s defenses and building an invasion fleet. The player must assemble a council of scientists, politicians, military leaders and operatives who can unite Earth’s squabbling nations with the ultimate goal of taking the fight to the aliens in the high ground of outer space.
Either way, it’s good news for XCOM 2 and XCOM fans all around. Especially those who are gluttons for punishment.
XCOM 2 is hitting your PC on February 5, 2016
Last Updated: January 22, 2016
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 22, 2016 at 10:03
When it comes to XCOM I’m proudly not glutton-free.
Bob of the Khundelar
January 22, 2016 at 10:05
But the real question is “Are you Muton-free?”
The Grand Admiral Chief Prime
January 22, 2016 at 10:11
OH YOU!!!!
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 22, 2016 at 10:11
LOL!
The Grand Admiral Chief Prime
January 22, 2016 at 10:22
To the top you go good sir
Bob of the Khundelar
January 22, 2016 at 10:24
If I was at the top XCOM wouldn’t have lost the war 😛
But then I suppose we wouldn’t have an epic game in a few week’s time.
The Grand Admiral Chief Prime
January 22, 2016 at 10:26
True dat
HvR
January 22, 2016 at 10:04
Actually that sounds a lot like the Formic Wars (Ender’s Game prequel) plot
Original Heretic
January 22, 2016 at 10:12
Ah, great series. I just finished reading the Shadow saga again.
HvR
January 22, 2016 at 13:07
Finished reading through the whole series last month in publishing order.
Funnily enough I think Ender’s Game is actually mediocre compared to the rest of the series.
Can not wait for the 2nd Formic War books to come out.
Original Heretic
January 22, 2016 at 13:17
Eesh, and here I thought Ender’s Game was epic. It was the rest of the Ender series (Speaker, Xenocide and Children) that I thought was rather second rate. Though I supposed that’s me not really being all THAT into reading high Sci-Fi.
More than likely why I enjoyed the Shadow series so much more.
HvR
January 22, 2016 at 13:31
Sorry actually meant Ender Series not Game.Xenocide specifically got a bit long winded but I really enjoyed Children, especially the climax.
Love how he goes back in the parallel series and tie in origin stories.
My favorite so far is 1st Formic War trilogy.
Also loved Shadow books, except Shadows in Flight. Feel he should have left Shadows in Flight as part of the final book(s) that ties up Ender and Shadows series.
The Grand Admiral Chief Prime
January 22, 2016 at 10:10
AWESOME!
The Grand Admiral Chief Prime
January 22, 2016 at 10:10
SOOOOOOON!
My body is ready
miaau
January 22, 2016 at 10:16
I really, really hope the game lives up to your expectations. You have been stoked for months now.
The Grand Admiral Chief Prime
January 22, 2016 at 10:21
Thanks dude. Even if it is just as good as the previous one, I’ll be happy!
VampyreSquirrel
January 22, 2016 at 10:34
This is how I see The Grand Admiral Chief Prime every time there’s an XCOM 2 article…
http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t542/apple-sauce38/Positive%20Reactions/fangirling/squeel3_zps613dcda6.gif
The Grand Admiral Chief Prime
January 22, 2016 at 10:37
Nah, that dude is not excited enough
I wonder when I can start downloading this…
HvR
January 22, 2016 at 14:05
Sadly I will have to wait, new PC fund got gobbled up by other family obligations. Hopefully later this year.
At least I now have Enemy Wihtin and Long War on the laptop to tie me over till then.
baze
January 22, 2016 at 12:43
Felow pc gamers , XCOM 2 pre orders are 38$ right now https://goo.gl/jBSxAa februarry 5th please come faster .