Adding to a franchise revival that also includes a series-departure FPS, renowned strategy game developer Firaxis is developing a new
XCOM strategy title for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.
The new project,
XCOM: Enemy Unknown, has more in common with the original
X-COM turn-based strategy games than 2K Marin's controversial
XCOM first-person shooter re-imagining that is due to ship in March.
X-COM fans criticized that reboot of the 18-year-old franchise since its unveiling in 2010, accusing the
BioShock developer of creating an experience that bears little resemblance to the vision of series co-creator Julian Gollop.
Firaxis, maker of the acclaimed
Sid Meier's Civilization games, will combine a "real-time strategic view" with turn-based combat in its upcoming game, and will allow players to once again take command of "a global anti-alien defense force."
XCOM: Enemy Unknown, which takes its subtitle from
X-COM's first European release, will be the first strategy entry for the seminal series since 1997's
X-COM: Apocalypse. It will release this fall,
according to consumer magazine Game Informer.
"It's been a dream of ours to recreate
X-COM with our unique creative vision," said Firaxis president Steve Martin. "We're huge fans of the original game, and it's a once in a lifetime opportunity to re-envision a game that is as beloved as
X-COM."
"We were careful to keep
XCOM: Enemy Unknown true to the elements that made
X-COM such a revered game while delivering an entirely new story and gameplay experience for both die-hard
X-COM fans and newcomers to the franchise."
