From the latest Game Informer “Loose Talk” rumors section:
EA is making System Shock 3 since they have rights to the name. Godfather team is making it.
First reaction: dear lord, no.
Second reaction: more system shock-like games ain’t bad. Team doesn’t excite me but the concept of more games like this does. Plus with BioShock on the way, it’s not THAT bad.
Doug Church was the creative force behind System Shock 1 and 2 and now works for EA at the LA studio.
The Godfather team is one of the worst teams under the EA wing, and they are based in Redwood City.
Yeah but Godfather was-
-
Ugly. Like, uglier than ss2.
-
Mediocre as hell.
-
A terrible semi-clone of Mafia, which did everything it does better.
So we will get a hideous clone of SS1/2, that is a bit shit.
‘yay’
Likely, yes. But it’s also possible that they try to make amends and come up with something that retains the spirit of System Shock but takes it in a new direction that gamers may like.
If the rumor turns out to be true, then it’s a done deal either way. And if that’s the case, I’ll definitely want to hear more about the competing System Shock titles.
Doug Church is working on the unnamed project attached to Steven Spielberg.
Are we gonna do this again? Can’t anyone be happy a sequel to a game a lot of people liked might actually be, you know, made?
Have you ever played Star Control 3? Devil May Cry 2? Franchises transferred to other developers almost always turn to crap. Especially ones that EA tries to do (Goldeneye). The only time it works is if you have many of the original devs on the new team (System Shock 2).
I’d rather have just about anyone else making this sequel. Unknown Russian developer, Ritual… anyone.
The problem is, when EA screws the whole thing up, no other publisher will ever touch the System Shock IP again. So, yes, having EA try to Poochy up System Shock is a very very bad thing.
You missed Master of Orion 3 in that list, flyinj.
Yeah, flyingj, that’s what every dipshit fanboy says when asked. But what I assume they know but refuse to believe is that if EA wasn’t going to make it System Shock 3 DOESN’T GET MADE AT ALL.
The Godfather team is one of the worst teams under the EA wing, and they are based in Redwood City.
Pray tell, flyingj, what do you do for a living?
Goldeneye sucked?
The only time it works is if you have many of the original devs on the new team (System Shock 2).
I guess without this one you would not be qualifying your always with almost.
I’d rather have just about anyone else making this sequel. Unknown Russian developer, Ritual… anyone.
But…this essentially contradicts your first point. And, I must say, this sentence is nearly verbatim what every whinging fanboy says. “Ohhh, anyone but them!” How about, no one if not them? Because that’s where Planescape:Torment 2 has been.
The problem is, when EA screws the whole thing up, no other publisher will ever touch the System Shock IP again.
Another awesome leap of logic. Let’s fret over SS4-infinity now, when 3 has almost-but-not-quite announced like yesterday.
So, yes, having EA try to Poochy up System Shock is a very very bad thing.
Or worse yet, Bethesda with Fallout 3, AM I RIGHT?
Of course, it’s also possible that EA’s team knows it’s handling a well-loved license and could actually put in the time and care that would lead to it being a worthy sequel to a classic game.
Or they could enclose copies of the first two games on the disc.
Either way I’d buy it.
flyinj is surely talking about EA’s 2004 Goldeneye game. I haven’t played it myself, but I’m willing to believe everyone’s claim that it sucks.
I have played it, and he ain’t kiddin’.
That said, mediocre SS3 or no SS3? At least the former has a shot at entertaining me.
Oh, Rogue Agent?
It wasn’t that bad.
Interesting thought. Funny how EA published System Shock 2, which was developed by the capable hands at Irrational… and didn’t farm it out to a B-rate internal team. But I guess some mouthbreathing forum-troll would just assume that only internal EA teams can work on EA IP.
Pray tell, flyingj, what do you do for a living?
Game developer. You?
flyingj- What games have you made? I’d like to talk shit about your job performance and abilities from the safety of my office here.
Also,
But I guess some mouthbreathing forum-troll would just assume that only internal EA teams can work on EA IP.
What the fuck are you talking about? Clearly EA could do whatever they want with their IP. They’ve chosen to do this after years and years of not making System Shock 3. Can you fill in the blanks?
EA, and not Westwood, made Command and Conquer: Generals.
Just sayin’.
My point is that the Godfather team is a boneheaded choice on EA’s part to develop a System Shock sequel. If they insist on making the game, at least give it to someone that can handle the job. It would be much wiser of them to give it to a competent team, and if they insist on it being internal at least give it to a team that has proven themselves with original IP (Criterion for instance). Or, better yet, give it to an external team like they did with SS2.
The teams at Redwood Shores are pretty much chronically screwed. You have the Godfather team which speaks for itself with their game, “Project Gray Company” which put together the mediocre LOTR RPG Third Age, Maxis who are allowed to do nothing but Sims expansions, the Bond team which got almost entirely laid off after From Russia With Love, and the Tiger Woods team.
Hell, I’d be happier to hear that the Tiger Woods team was making it. At least that team has a proven track record.