Gameinformer February Cover Revealed

"This is the announcement you've been waiting for: One of the most beloved strategy titles of all time re-imagined by one of the best strategy studios in the world. Firaxis Games' XCOM: Enemy Unknown introduces a wider console audience to what made the storied franchise great in the first place."

[StraightPath]

wow after all the hype...lol wishful thinking for Star Wars Battlefront 3

[Snookies12]

Umm, I hardly care about strategy games, so yeah... I agree, that hype was a load of bull... Major letdown there haha.

[UNCyrus]

This is a huge deal, and definitely lives up to the hype. It's sad that you don't recognize that :(

[Snookies12]

Sorry I just never played it before, so it really doesn't do much for me. o_o

[lastdual]

@UNCyrus This just shows how young most of the N4G audience is. Looking at the comments, "old school" apparently means fairly new series like Kingdom Hearts to many of the users here.

In any case, an X-COM game by Firaxis sounds amazing. If anybody can resurrect this classic turn-based strategy series right, it's Sid Meiers & Co.

[Snookies12]

@lastdual - I agree there wholeheartedly, old school should probably mean somewhere around the SNES era in my opinion.

[lastdual]

I understand that there are plenty of people who haven't played X-COM, but even if you've never touched the series, this is good news for turn-based strategy fans in general.

If you enjoy games like:

Civilization
Final Fantasy Tactics
Fire Emblem
Disgaea
Tactics Ogre
Advance Wars, etc...

Then there's a good chance you would enjoy X-COM, and hopefully this new iteration. Like Civilization Revolution, Firaxis will apparently be bringing this to consoles, so it should be fairly accessible to newcomers.

[snipes101]

What you guys are failing to realize is that Game Informer said the announcement would excite "Old School" gamers. Star Wars Battlefront is not an old school franchise so there really wasn't any reason to think that would be it.

As for the people complaining that it's a strategy game and that they never played the original, at least it's not another shooter reimagining. You people were complaining a few weeks ago that this would probably just be another generic shooter. Now it isn't and you're still complaining.

People these days...smh.

[dedicatedtogamers]

If people have never played X-COM before (admittedly, it can be a bit tough to play if you're accustomed to newer games), then I hope this game gives a new generation the chance to see what's so awesome about the formula. X-COM isn't just a tactical squad game. You control the entire organization, from research to scouting to funding to base-building to constructing equipment to making money, and then of course there's the combat but that's NOT all there is to it.

[BattleAxe]

I think I've heard of this game before, not sure though. I am quite disappointed though I have to say. I was hoping for Syphon Filter 5 or maybe even The Socom Collection with all of the PS2 Socom games.

[SilentNegotiator]

You think Xcom is old school? Wow, it really goes to show how young N4G users are. I feel bad for people who didn't grow up on "Tennis for Two" and "OXO". /s
Come on, don't come down on people for not being 30/40 year olds on a video game site. "Old school" is a matter of perspective. Last generation was definitely an entirely different beast than this one, anyhow.

I guess they realized the scope of potential customers for another Xcom strategy game when so many complained.

[OmegaSlayer]

A big problem is that people is very picky about games...this is my genre, this is not, this character has big boobs, this looks like a fag, the graphicz are insane, it seems like a PS2 game...

Imho there are only good games and bad games.
Stop.

That said...last 2 Gameinformer's announcement didn't make me go over the top.
South Park RPG (???) made by Obsidian (that has failed pretty much everything this gen)...I haven't got high hopes.

[Perjoss]

This is a huge deal for me, I remember playing the original x-com on my playstation 1 for a ton of hours, I got so into that game I even bought a playstation mouse just for that game.

http://media.giantbomb.com/...

The fact it's being done by a company like Firaxis is like a dream come true. All we need now is a couple of news stories like this:

- Irrational Games finishing up Bioshock Infinite, Announces next game to be System Shock 3

- Frontier Developments release first Elite 4 screenshots and info.

[LightofDarkness]

The game's not even 10 years old (Battlefront), how would it be old-school?

[CashColeTrain1337]

It was also confirmed not to be it last week. I believed it to be Jedi Knight game developed by Spark Unlimited. It'd fit that description.

[TheIneffableBob]

For some readers of N4G, it may have released around the time they were born haha

[TreMillz]

Um.....woopdeedooh? seriously

1. Its PC only so majority of the gaming community wont give a damn...just saying more console players out there.

2. Really 2 XCOM games in 1 year, 1 by which the shoter version looks terrible and the strategy version..well idk its only a damn cover

3. Screw GI for hyping a cover which really didnt deserve all that hype " I wish i could reveal the game to you all" well you should have would have saved us more disappointment

[Convas]

What, is it that people don't read any more?

At the bottom of the article it clearly says that XCOM: Enemy Unknown is coming out for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and PC.

(-_-)

[TheDareDevil]

@Clizzz

What he's trying to say is that the original XCOM games have been PC only games

[snipes101]

@point 2: two entirely different XCOM games in one year is more like it. The only similarity is that they are set in the same fictional universe so I don't see the problem here.

@point 3: they said this was an announcement that would hype the old school crowd, not the entire gaming community. So your last statement really carries no weight at all.

[Kiriel]

Ehm, the earlier announced 'Xcom' game doesn't even deserve to bring Xcom's slippers.

[TheStorm]

To the Daredevil. That is untrue. X-Com UFO Defense (the first one) had a good port to the PSX, and I believe some of the others did as well. So no they have not always been PC only, the first one was multi-plat.

And to all the others...Star Wars Battlefront? That is not old-school in the least. It came out in 2004, that's hardly old school. While X-Com came out in late 93.

The first one was one of my all time favorite games, it actually had one of the most tense and scary atmosphere, sounds odd considering its turn based nature but it was.

Firaxis behind this, I will buy.

[Basjohn]

You make me sad to still be on this planet.

[ThichQuangDuck]

Ha I was hoping

Star Wars Battlefront 3

Timesplitters

Bloody Roar

But kinda assumed it would be more old school. Oh well there is always next month

[Skynetone]

enough with the sequels, lets get some fresh new ips out there

i dont mind a few sequels, but its gotten to the stage where i could probably list all games for the next four years

lbp 3 / battlefield 4 / res 6 / cod 7,8,9 / alan wake 2 / uncharted 4 / street fighter 5,6,7 / fifa / tiger etc etc

more new ips like "the last of us" would be nice for a while

[ThichQuangDuck]

@ MC_Kool_K sequels are inevitable just due to the fact that it is easier to sell a ip that is established. There has been some new IP's this generation in Assassins Creed, Bioshock, Mass Effect, Uncharted, Gears of War 3 and plenty of reboots in between. I am basically asking for a completion to the franchises that deserved sequels and I am not talking about making a star wars battlefront 15. I am talking about great games to have on this technology enhanced like

Star Wars Battlefront 3

War of the Monsters 2

Time splitters 5

Bloody Roar 5

Freedom Fighters 2

These are games to me that had original fun game play that could be vastly improved with this generations technology. So do not complain about sequels when all the games you listed are some franchises that have all had at least one game out on this generation while others have not.

[chazjamie]

@lastdual. I enjoyed playing those titles on the ds and even the gameboy, so if this is released on the vita I will definitely pick it up. I dont play these games on consoles.

[TruthSeeker]

Great announcment for those wishing for a proper Xcom follow up, verry dissapointing day for those of us expecting a starwars battlefront 3 reveal :(

[ATi_Elite]

I'm speechless!!

Many PC Gamers are jumping for joy right now.

So many upset Gamers about Xcom being turned into "just another generic shooter" but this news today has many Old School Gamers happy.

Too bad the combat is turn based. Yuck!

[vortis]

Turn based is good. I can't wait.

They can still do things to keep the turn-based aspect interesting.

I was recently playing X-Com Apocalypse and it still carries its own to this very day. Again, I can't wait. I just hope they keep the destructibility and micro/macromanagement.

[Kahvipannu]

Are you serious? Turn-based is the way to go, just like games X-Com's, Jagged Alliances, Fall Out's, Silent Storm's, M.A.X's, etc..

I want MORE turn-based strategy, enough with the "pew-pew shooters", we already got BF3, that's enough of fps until 4 comes out.

[BiggsnWedge]

Valkyria Chronicles is turn based done right

[ATi_Elite]

I love RTS but i prefer real time like Starcraft or Dawn of War!

[antz1104]

WOW......thats it? Very lame compared to all the possibles people were throwing around here.....:(

[fr00ty-wizenhymer]

This is the most epic thing in the world. I was so mad I heard that XCOM was being turned into an FPS. This makes it all better.

[Hozi]

Man, this is what I got so excited for?...fufufufu!!! I'm not saying it won't be a good game, it's just I really could care less for Strategy turn based games. Final Fantasy Tactics...the very 1st battle put me to sleep. No lie, the darn battle took about 45 mins(including sleep), and that is pushing my patience way too far.

[TheMrMadzen]

Seems interesting.

[NYC_Gamer]

i hope it's pure to the original xcom roots and not dumbed down for the masses

[Brownghost]

Judging from other franchises, it will

[Yui_Suzumiya]

Not really.. That's what 2K Marin's XCOM is for. This is for the true fans.

[Brownghost]

You didn't understand what i meant judging from other franchises like ninja gaiden and mass effect 2 it will be dumbed down

[noxeven]

Eh this looks even more different from the last time they did xcom. I remember i think was game informer wasn't a cover story i don't think but they had the article on xcom and it seems for of an 70s type of future with aliens sorta vibe going on. All i get from the cover is chest high cover and marcus get down. well just have to wait for the article

[Kran]

DISAPPOINTING.

They said old school gamers would be thrilled or something along the lines. Yeah right.

[dedicatedtogamers]

If you're a REAL old-school gamer who played games from the PS1 era and earlier, than you probably ARE excited.

[Kran]

I never played the game because I wasnt interested at the time. I was more into Resident Evil, Dino Crisis, Croc and Spyro.

[dedicatedtogamers]

@ Kran

And if a revamp of something like Dino Crisis was announced, wouldn't you be pumped? That's how us X-COM fans are feelin' right now. :)

[vortis]

Dude they mean REAL old-school gamers, not you kids from the PS2 era.

We're talking the dinosaur era of PC and console gaming when Final Fantasy games were mis-numbered here in the US and stuff like "All your base are belong to us" was common in localized ports. This was back when 16meg on a console meant a crappy looking 256 color game while 16meg on PC meant you got something like Tie-Fighter.

Real old-school....for life.

[Kran]

Actually I go back to Sega Megadrive days.

[BiggsnWedge]

The game isn't even that old.. and who cares about old school gamers, get over yourself please.

[Objective]

The news was for old school gamers so you get over yourself.

[xtremexx]

hahahah lol

who got excited and got met with this?

[Ser]

I'm rarely excited when the gaming media suggests that I should be.

Low expectations ftw.

[admiralthrawn87]

DAMN IT. Where the hell is star wars battlefront 3!?

Lucasarts, you are officially lame. You turn KOTOR 3 into a bad MMO, you refuse to make Republic Commando 2 and Battlefront 3, and you decide instead to make two shitty games that mess up the continuity! Let me guess, we'll get Fracture 2 before we get battlefront 3.

Who decides to not make another entry in their most successful franchise?

[snipes101]

Game Informer said the announcement would excite old school gamers. Star Wars Battlefront is not an old school franchise. So there was no reason to expect that would be the announcement.

[TheIneffableBob]

Battlefront 3 has been canceled, man.

Even if it did exist, the developers that are speculated to be developing it do not have a good track record. They're like a 4 out of 10... on IGN's scale.

[Paragon]

Awwww... Kinda disappointing, what with all that hype.

KOTOR 3, BatteFront 3, Kingdom Hearts 3... There could have been some others that would have been REALLY awesome. But *shrugs* I'm sure there'll be more announcements coming this year for something awesome.

Still, I'm sure there's those excited over this game! Hope it does well!

[Christopher]

KotOR 3 is already out. It's just an MMO.

[Paragon]

Nah, I'm talking about an offline, turn-based RPG with an actual 3 in the title. ;) I don't do MMOs, but that's just me.

And Great Scotts at the Bubbles! XD

[Christopher]

Yeah, I got you. I'm playing the MMO, but then again I like MMOs. Loving it. But would freaking love a standalone more along the lines of the first KotOR as well. Don't see it happening since I think the MMO is going to rake in a ton of money for both EA and LucasArts and they don't want to make it look like you can get your SWtOR fix anywhere else.

[Paragon]

Yeeeahh... I mean, I'm not complaining - I'm just saying, it would be pretty cool. But I guess I'll have to be content with Mass Effect.

[LightofDarkness]

Guys, BattleFront, Kingdom Hearst and KOTOR ARE NOT OLD-SCHOOL GAMES. X-Com very much is. I don't know why you would think any of those games were on the cards, as they aren't even 10 years old.

[admiralthrawn87]

your right. I should have been hoping for another Pong.

[Hozi]

I guess most gamers on here are little kids...by our standards...So to clarify for the young ones. Old Skool is anywhere from late 1980's and before. :)

[Harelgur]

I was hoping for hl3

[Jumper09]

hopefully the march issue has Halo4 as coverstory...

[Matrix2k]

This is better than I could of ever imagined.

A real new good ol turn base strategy title. The only thing better would be a new advance wars announcement this year.

This beats another shovelware star wars game

[OC_MurphysLaw]

I am super pumped for this game. I absolutely loved the old game. Lets hope they do a good job of re-creating the feel of Xcom properly. I must admit, I am still interested to see what 2K Marin comes up with for their final version of the Xcom shooter. But this news is music to my ears.

[vortis]

Nope, I'm not interested in the 2K version at all. If I want a story driven shooter I got BioShock: Infinite to look forward to. If I want a micromanagement RPG shooter I got STALKER 2 to look forward to. If I want to fight aliens and have teammates cover my arse I got Borderlands 2 to look forward to.

Realistically, there IS NO REASON at all to get excited about 2K Marin's XCOM abombination. It's a clustermuck of other ideas from better made shooters combined into a game that's just propaganda for a politically correct dissertation on racism/homosexuality. No thanks.

[BiggsnWedge]

STALKER 2? I thought that was canceled?

[Pikajew]

First X-Com came out in 1993 so it is old school

[Kiriel]

The first Call of Duty came out in 2003, WAAAYY too old to be good now too.

Oh, wait...

[snipes101]

Pikajew is simply responding to the people that are disappointed by the announcement. Game Informer said it would excite old school gamers and pikajew is just pointing out that, yes, XCOM is an old school game so this matches with what they were saying it would be.

[PirateThom]

Old school but not for me.... never really been into strategy games and certainly won't be swayed by an old game.

[solidboss]

anyone else more interested in the ME3 article then feb. cover?

[OC_MurphysLaw]

Not really... I say that only because I don't at this point really want to know any more about ME3. Its close enough now that I just want to play it.

[Deadpool616]

I was hoping for Killer Instinct to be revived, but this is great for XCOM fans. From what I've seen, the original XCOM looks like a really awesome game.

[vortis]

It's cheap enough (or free enough) to play from just about anywhere, even as a PSX ISO.

If you don't like RPG micromanagement/macromanagemen t then you won't like X-Com. It's a niche game to say the least but it's extremely detail oriented and gave gamers TONS of content and control over just about every aspect of the game.

In other words, if you don't like hand-holding games like CoD or that upcoming XCOM game from 2K Marin, then you're going to love the original X-Com.

[Deadpool616]

It's sounds more interesting than the FPS version. Thanks for the info. :D

[Frankfurt]

LOL at the N4G crowd bashing this. This is the biggest software news of the year for real gamers. EASILY. Proves that 90% of people here are babies who can't tell real games from very recent mediocre titles (KINGDOM HEARTS?!? WTF?!?).

[Kiriel]

Damn, push the wrong button there hehe.

Indeed, for anyone who has played the original Xcom's way back when, this is stunning news and what they have hoped for for ages. If Xcom comes out this year, there's nothing else I need to play (well, Jagged Alliance: Back in Action and King Arthur 2 will keep me busy till then). :)

[Hozi]

It's not that I don't know the game...it's not my cup of tea, that's all...

[strauser360]

Retarded comment. I guess I'm not a real gamer if I wanted something along the lines of KH3 or BF3... And learn to type correctly, you sound like a fucking idiot typing in all caps "KINGDOM HEARTS?!? WTF?!?"

[vortis]

Sorry but after 1999 only fake gamers have been churned out.

You can try to go back and earn your Real Gamer Passport by getting knee deep in some old titles like Ken's Labyrinth or Hugo's House of Horrors 3D, but it's not easy and a lot of new-school gamers lost their eyesight in the process.

I suggest you head to Cheat Central, buy some sunglasses and cheat your way through old titles like FBI Fred and Commander Keen to earn your Badge of Old-Schooledness.

When you get back here to N4G you'll have a whole new appreciation for the process of having a Real Gamer's Passport, and then you'll be able to school new-schoolers with your Retrorocity.

[scotchmouth]

The biggest software news? That's rather subjective. I've been gaming since the mid 80's. I am not a real gamer because I was looking to other titles to possibly be the reveal?

While I am sure a lot of the posters here are younger there is no real reason for this pseudo-elitism where you are the cream of the crop for recognizing this title and people that don't share your taste are "babies".

On topic It's nice to see this as it's a departure from what the market seems to be flooded with currently. I hope it succeeds!

[Yui_Suzumiya]

Evn though I'm not an RTS fan, I am very happy to see this announced. I'm very much looking ahead to the new XCOM by 2K Marin and now the true fans are finally getting a proper game in the series which is very much needed. It's a win-win in my opinion!

[masa2009]

Wait, wasn't this game announced months ago?

[Yui_Suzumiya]

No, you're thinking of 2K Marin's XCOM which was announced almost 2 years ago. I know becuase I've followed it since the minute it was announced.

[iNFAMOUZ1]

who gives a flying f about star wars, thats gay, this is cool, can't wait for it, AWESOME STUFF, very happy with the news, can't wait, gonna pre order after I see some vids

[KrimsonKody]

Sigh.
I mean, an X-COM reboot is definitely old school, but when I (as in; me) hear the term old school, I'm thinkin' "old ol' school".

The Guardian Legend
Scheherazade
Streets of Rage
Contra
Dragon Warrior

Wait...
...where's Streets of Rage!?
Remake is waaay overdue.
Get on your 'game', Sega!

[DW74]

Streets of Rage

http://www.bombergames.net/...

[jthamind]

a strategy game? i can't fap to this. :/

[Kyosuke_Sanada]

Maybe if it was a hentai RTS.....I know I would.....

[_LarZen_]

JAWN........

[smashcrashbash]

Here I was hoping for Medevil 3 or Rival Schools or Eternal Champions or a new Contra something.This may make XCOM people happy but this is disappointing for the rest of us.Strategy games make me sleepy

[LeShin]

This announcement could never please everyone. For example, I never played Medevil. Rival Schools was brilliant however though I bought Eternal Champions (and the sequel on the Mega-CD) on the days they came out, most of my friends have never heard of them!

[LeShin]

Good news, not enough rts on consoles, I could get into this! I heard great things about the original but never got round to it.

Now if some studio could go and develop a PROPER Syndicate sequel instead of that fps dreary abomination which was announced I would be VERY happy...

[DaveMan]

Starbreeze is a good developer...hardly an abomination in my eyes.

[dedicatedtogamers]

This is AWESOME! I'm a huge X-COM fan so this is good news for those of us who wanted a real X-COM game not a shooter.

[Raider69]

nice!!

[MWH]

good to know a classic like x-com is making a come back. i hope other forgotten gems can make their return. games like:

Little Big Adventure, Ecstatica, Carmageddon, MDK, Privateer, Wing Commander, Dungeon Keeper, MechWarrior, Alone in the Dark, Bioforge, System Shock, Fade to Black, King's Quest, Baldur's Gate, Heretic, Hexen, Lands of Lore, Realms of the Haunting, Grim Fandango, Monkey Island, Jedi Knight, Discworld, and even a Legacy of Kain and Shadow Warrior sequels while at it.

the list goes on, there are many more outstanding games from the past that has the potential of being outstanding games of the future.

a wish that may never come true in our gaming lifetime. my only consolation is that, i can proudly say it was a profound experience to have lived during some the most significant times of gaming history.

[dedicatedtogamers]

Yeah, those games were/are incredible. But I guess we take what we can get. Firaxis is the Rock* Games of the strategy genre, so I have full faith they'll make this new X-COM a worthy title.

[Voxelman]

Carmageddon: Reincarnation is due this year

MechWarrior: Online is also in development, maybe not the game many were hoping for (no singleplayer campaign) but it sounds like it could be pretty great with plenty of battletech people involved.

King's Quest IX is in development

Tales of Monkey Island came out in 2009 so that's not that due for another game

a new Legacy of Kain is rumoured to be in development at Silicone Knights, well it's that or eternal darkness, they claim to be working on a much requested sequel to one of their old games for next generation consoles.

Oh and Lucas Arts has been hiring for a FPS, a flight game and an open world RPG so at least one of those Lucas Arts games is probably going to get a sequel soon.

[PCgamer4ever]

Finally,X-COM is back.Console gamers must learn what is the real hardcore gaming.

[RyuX19]

I hope this isn't another "BETRAYAL!!" lol

[firestarter79]

i was hoping for new ghosts 'n'goblins or at least maximo 3 :(((

[Foxgod]

Nice, a real X-Com :)

[bednet]

I'm speechless...was not expecting this...My favorite strategy game company remaking one of my favorite games of all time...

[Kahvipannu]

^This.

[rizzo-rizzo]

Chances are, if you were born after 1989, you don't have a slight idea of what old school is, and you probably wouldn't appreciate them.

I'm not a big fan of X-COM but they are a lot of fun. very difficult & somewhat complex in a unique compelling way.

I'm surprised even this reveal has surprised me.

[Kahvipannu]

I'm.. so.. happy.. Sid Meyer + classic X-Com = no word for it..

Abd oh yeah, fans of X-Com, you might wanna check this out too while waiting^^

"Did you enjoy games like Xcom:UFO Defence, the Fallout series, the Civilization series, the Heroes of Might and magic?
And now you are looking for something new to satisfy your craving for turn-based fun?
Then you’ll want to play UFO2Extraterrestrials: Shadows over Earth, prequel to the 2007 smash hit UFO: Extraterrestrials."

http://www.ufo2extraterrest...

[spike]

WTF I was hoping for Duck Hunt 2

[Piegoose]

DAMN IT! At first it looked like it was going to be a survival horror realistic alien invasion game, but now its another shooter.... sigh.....

[jay2]

Oh yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

[blaze22-qwerty]

..After all that hype

[BoNeSaW23]

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gen0ne]

Dammit. Not the Killer Instinct reveal I was hoping for. Oh well.

[Voxelman]

Hell yea, all is forgiven 2K!

[fr00ty-wizenhymer]

Just though I should say, I grew up with the PS1 and N64 so I didn't exactly grow up 'old-school'. BUT, who the hell hasn't at least tried XCOM! I may have started playing XCOM 12 years after release but at least I played it! All these new gamers don't even bother to look at the games that came before. I play just as much games that came out before I was born as I do new games.

[gustave154]

I'll buy this. Firaxis is the place to be for strategy games.

[PixL]

Original X-COM is one of 10 best games I've played so I'm jumping up with joy on this announcement!

[CrimsonEngage]

Wow. Fail hype. I though it was going to be a game that was ACTUALLY GOOD. What is this XCOM garbage? #areyouseriousbro?

[PCgamer4ever]

For sure better from those fighting-console garbage games

[Bounkass]

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG A COVER!!!1!!