XCOM: Enemy Unknown head-to-head multiplayer mode revealed
In the modern age of video games, multiplayer is king and XCOM: Enemy Unknown is going for the crown. Developer Firaxis Games has revealed details on the multiplayer portion of its upcoming reboot of the classic turn-based strategy game series.
For the first time in the franchise's history, XCOM commanders will be able to go head-to-head in deathmatch. The two-player mode allows players to select a squad of six soldiers or aliens – or a combination of the two – to vie for battlefield superiority.
"With the multiplayer mode in XCOM: Enemy Unknown, gamers can finally find out what it's like to command alien units and unleash extraterrestrial destruction on Planet Earth or defend it with a squad of XCOM soldiers and alien allies," XCOM: Enemy Unknown lead designer Jake Solomon said.
From a narrative perspective, the multiplayer mode has no link to the single-player campaign found in XCOM: Enemy Unknown. Players can "mix and match both alien and soldier units to comprise their squad, outfitting soldiers with dozens of armor types, weapons, items and class-based abilities for thousands of possible loadout combinations," a press release announcing the mode revealed.
Pre-orders of XCOM: Enemy Unknown give players access to the 'Elite Solider Pack,' which includes a set of "top-of-the-line soldier customization features," such as the Soldier Deco packs and complete color customization," along with the (already known) classic XCOM soldier flat-top harido. PC players will also have a shot at a platform-exclusive special edition, featuring "a number of unique XCOM items, including an art book; fold-out poster of the XCOM headquarters; XCOM insignia patch; and a collection of digital bonus assets such as desktop wallpaper, soundtrack and more."
XCOM: Enemy Unknown launches for the PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on October 9. And, spoiler alert, the unknown enemies are totally aliens.
%Gallery-162196%
Show full PR text
Command an Unlikely Alliance of Aliens and Soldiers Against Another Player in XCOM®: Enemy Unknown Multiplayer Deathmatch Mode
Intense head-to-head, turn-based deathmatch multiplayer lets players command squad of soldiers, aliens, or both
New York, NY – August 10, 2012 – 2K Games announced today that XCOM®: Enemy Unknown, the highly anticipated action-strategy game from Firaxis Games, will include a unique multiplayer game mode featuring a one-on-one deathmatch against another player for the first time in an XCOM game. Players will be able to pick a squad of soldiers, aliens or even combine a squad of both unit types to create the ultimate mixed squad to command in battle.
"Throughout the history of the XCOM series, players have acted as the world's last hope against the alien invasion," said Jake Solomon, lead designer of XCOM: Enemy Unknown. "With the multiplayer mode in XCOM: Enemy Unknown, gamers can finally find out what it's like to command alien units and unleash extraterrestrial destruction on Planet Earth or defend it with a squad of XCOM soldiers and alien allies."
Multiplayer in XCOM: Enemy Unknown draws on the gameplay, tactics and strategy of the single-player experience without making any direct ties to the narrative, offering a standalone opportunity for gamers to enjoy the XCOM universe. Players can mix and match both alien and soldier units to comprise their squad, outfitting soldiers with dozens of armor types, weapons, items and class-based abilities for thousands of possible loadout combinations. These dream squads of up to six units are built using a point cap that can be scaled for players to fight in small skirmishes all the way up to epic battles. Matches can be modified by point limit or time limit per turn. Just like the single-player experience, the fog of war will conceal your enemy's units until you encounter them on the battlefield, creating the tense anticipation that is the hallmark of the XCOM series.
Gamers can get in on the action early by pre-ordering XCOM: Enemy Unknown from participating retailers to guarantee access to the Elite Soldier Pack, a launch bonus offering top-of-the-line soldier customization features. This limited-time bonus gives players the ultimate tool for soldier customization, including Soldier Deco packs, complete color customization and a classic XCOM soldier, flat top included. There will also be a special edition of XCOM: Enemy Unknown available exclusively for PC at retail locations that contains a copy of the game for PC and a number of unique XCOM items, including an art book; fold-out poster of the XCOM headquarters; XCOM insignia patch; and a collection of digital bonus assets such as desktop wallpaper, soundtrack and more. To pre-order now, visit http://www.xcom.com/enemyunknown/preorder.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown will be available for Windows PC, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system in North America on October 9, 2012 and internationally on October 12, 2012. XCOM: Enemy Unknown is rated M for Mature by the ESRB. For more information, please visit www.xcom.com. For the latest news and information on XCOM: Enemy Unknown, become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/XCOM.
2K Games is a division of 2K, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).
All trademarks and copyrights contained herein are the property of their respective holders.
# # #
