XCOM is Back... But as a First Person Shooter

Old school computer gamers will know the XCOM series well as one of the best, deep turn-based strategy games ever. And now it's coming back, but in a different genre.

2K Games announced today that XCOM, the re-imagining of one of gaming’s most storied and beloved franchises, is currently in development at 2K Marin, the studio behind BioShock 2, exclusively for the Xbox 360 and Windows PC.

"With BioShock 2, the team at 2K Marin proved themselves as masters of first-person, suspenseful storytelling, and with XCOM they will re-imagine and expand the rich lore of this revered franchise," said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. "Players will explore the world of XCOM from an immersive new perspective and experience firsthand the fear and tension of this gripping narrative ride."

Those expecting classic turn-based strategy, however, may be disappointed to learn that the upcoming XCOM will be a first-person shooter.

XCOM is the re-imagining of the classic tale of humanity’s struggle against an unknown enemy that puts players directly into the shoes of an FBI agent tasked with identifying and eliminating the growing threat. True to the roots of the franchise, players will be placed in charge of overcoming high-stake odds through risky strategic gambits coupled with heart-stopping combat experiences that pit human ingenuity – and frailty – against a foe beyond comprehension. By setting the game in a first-person perspective, players will be able to feel the tension and fear that comes with combating a faceless enemy that is violently probing and plotting its way into our world.

Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
  • Shadow703793
    Haven't played it, guess it was before my time eh?

    At any rate, glad to see it on PC. But I do hope it pays homage to the older version.
    Reply
  • sceen311
    woot, another fps... just what we needed...

    /shrug at least this one has a potential for some depth.
    Reply
  • scotters
    Even as a FPS in 2010-2011, it still probably wont be as scary as the original.
    Reply
  • dmuir
    If it comes with the original Xcom, it might be worth getting. :-)
    Reply
  • Lan
    Hmm...not sure what to think about this yet. It being a FPS doesn't do justice to the classic turn by turn strategy that was in the original.

    I'll try to keep an open mind, but I have fond memories staying up late playing the Original XCOM, so I'll have to reserve judgement on this one.
    Reply
  • Xcom:TFTD = best game ever. I wonder if the alien torpedo launcher with the programmable flight path will make it into the fps? hahah
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  • This is rubbish. The world don't need another FPS, there's more FPS out there than stars in the entire Milky Way galaxy. What we need is an updated Direct X 11 turn based XCOM!!
    Reply
  • dimar
    I hope it's not like you can't move while the alien is attacking. Why not make both 1st person and 3rd person? I really hope it will have a good story and lots of cut scenes. Please don't make it cheap. Native DirectX 11 is must! Port it to XBOX360 then... A classic like this must have special attention in every way.
    Reply
  • gsacks
    Boooo. I almost got excited about this until I read FPS. I have nothing against FPS games. But X-COM is to turn based combat strategy what Civilization is to turn based world conquest strategy. It was without equal in its time. I'm glad to see the franchise revived, but not as an FPS. Real-time strategy I could have handled.
    Reply
  • husker
    I'm hoping that in this case FPS = First Person Strategy.
    Reply