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2K is reportedly preparing a Marvel 'XCOM' game and a Borderlands spin-off
Publisher 2K is rumored to be working on a Marvel game from XCOM studio Firaxis and a Borderlands spinoff.
Help humans and aliens live in peace in 'XCOM: Chimera Squad'
A new standalone game from Firaxis, XCOM: Chimera Squad is set five years into a new world. XCOM: Chimera Squad is heading to PC via Steam on April 24th, $10 at launch.
The second 'XCOM 2' DLC pack arrives May 12th
The second DLC pack for XCOM 2 is set to drop on May 12th and will come bursting at the seams with new content like a Xenomorph cub desperately chewing its way to freedom. The new pack will cost $10 unless you've already picked up the Reinforcements Pack, in which case save your money because the new content is already on its way.
'XCOM 2' gets its first DLC pack on March 17th
2K has revealed a launch date for the first XCOM 2 downloadable content: March 17th. Titled Anarchy's Children, the add-on pack will come with more than 100 "exotic" goodies, which you can use to deck out your soldiers. This includes new armor, helmets and masks, as well as fresh hair styles, face paintings and decals.
An 'XCOM' game in Excel beats playing with spreadsheets
Who said that spreadsheet apps had to be dry and boring? Certainly not Reddit user Crruzi. As a test of Visual Basic skills, the budding programmer wrote and released an XCOM game, EXLCOM, for Microsoft Excel. That's right -- the same software you use to create charts and graphs will also let you fight invading aliens. It's not what you'd call visually rich (just about everything on the map is represented by crude squares), but it's a surprisingly thorough recreation of the game's tactical battles, complete with unique character stats and terrain you can blow up. There's even a basic level editor.
'XCOM 2' delayed until February 2016
XCOM 2 was supposed to launch in November, but apparently planet-wide alien invasions are tricky to schedule. Firaxis has pushed XCOM 2's release date back to February 5, 2016, noting that the game isn't up to the studio's standards quite yet. "We've set a high bar for the sequel and the entire team has been working hard to make sure we deliver a great follow-up to Enemy Unknown," a short blog post reads. "We just need a little more time to make it the best possible game."
'XCOM 2' infiltrates PCs in November
Prepare for permadeath. XCOM 2, the sequel to 2012's wonderfully rich strategy game XCOM: Enemy Unknown, is due to hit PC in November. XCOM 2 comes from publisher 2K and developer Firaxis Games, the very same team behind Enemy Unknown. They've been teasing a big announcement with a website for the Advent Administration, a futuristic government that advertises gene therapies and other technologies that rid humans of all illness -- but the site has been hacked with messages that suggest all is not as rosy as it seems.
Gaming off the grid: Video game-inspired board games
If you're looking for family fun but don't want to stray too far from the video game franchises you know and love, tabletop gaming may be the perfect alternative for you this holiday season. While there are countless (and not very entertaining) licensed board games available at big box retailers – like Mario-themed Monopoly or Halo-themed Risk – there are far better options available for those looking to further explore their favorite video game worlds. Here is a collection of some of our favorite board and card games based on video game franchises. If you're looking for a fun activity for family and friends this holiday, you can't go wrong with these fantastic board and card games. >>Our favorite video game-inspired board games<<
Get 5 original XCOM games for less than $10 in Humble Bundle
The Humble 2K Bundle just got more complete with the addition of all five original XCOM games at the "pay more than the average" tier. The XCOM Complete Pack includes the first XCOM: UFO Defense (also known as UFO: Enemy Unknown), Terror from the Deep, Apocalypse, Interceptor and Enforcer. The average price needed to unlock these games – along with BioShock 2, Mafia 2 and Spec Ops: The Line – is hovering around $8. With that purchase, you'll also get "pay what you want" games BioShock, The Bureau: XCOM Declassified and The Darkness 2. Pay $20 or more and get XCOM: Enemy Unknown and BioShock Infinite. [Image: 2K Games]
Now you can play XCOM: Enemy Unknown on Android, too
Android gamers who've been yearning for XCOM's deep, turn-based tactics just got their wish: 2K has released a version of XCOM: Enemy Unknown for Google's mobile platform. Much like last year's iOS edition, you'll get to fight off invading aliens and build your bases in an interface optimized for touch. This is one of the pricier Android games on the market at $10, but our pals at Joystiq are already fans of the mobile version. It's likely worth the cash if you're looking for something engrossing to play on your spring vacation -- especially if you can't get enough of it on your PC or console.
XCOM creator's Chaos Reborn aiming for spring 2015
Julian Gollop, the creator of the 1994 PC and Amiga strategy game X-COM: UFO Defense, launched a Kickstarter campaign this week for his next trek in the turn-based genre, Chaos Reborn. An update to one of his other classics, Chaos: The Battle of Wizards, Chaos Reborn will have players customizing and leveling-up wizards before entering a battle arena with up to five others. Gollop is seeking $180,000 by April 17 to fund the game's production, and is expecting to launch it on PC, Mac and Linux by spring 2015. The game was first announced in November 2012 and was later detailed in January. Joystiq went hands-on with a prototype version of Chaos Reborn earlier this month, discussing the game with Gollop in a special Twitch livestream. Those that pledge at least $20 to the crowdfunding campaign will receive a digital copy of the strategy game, and backers will receive the multiplayer prototype version within two to three months of the campaign's conclusion. [Image: Julian Gollop]
Steam deals: The Bureau, The Raven, games that don't start with 'The'
This should come as little surprise to consistent Steam users, but the digital distribution platform is holding a sale on some video games over the weekend. Italics. A smattering of tempting deals are lined up right now, starting with The Bureau: XCOM Declassified for under $12.50 (and also now available for Mac). Episodic crime adventure series The Raven: Legacy of a Master Thief is also part of this weekend's deals and on sale for $6.24. A digital deluxe version, including the game's soundtrack and other digital goodies, is on sale for $7.50. Coffee Stain Studios' tower-defense shooter hybrid Sanctum 2 is free to play this weekend and only $2.24 if you want to buy. Free to play game Marvel Puzzle Quest: Dark Reign is holding a sale on three booster packs, each unlocking various characters in the puzzle offshoot. Early Access dungeon crawler The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot is down to $13.39. These deals will last for varying lengths – some games you've only got 48 hours to grab, while others are cheap until January 27 – so if you're interested, boot up your Steam client and give 'em a gander.
Fight your wizard friends in XCOM creator's Chaos Reborn
Julian Gollop, the original creator of 1994 PC and Amiga strategy game X-COM: UFO Defense, will launch a Kickstarter project for the resurgence of another strategic game early this year. Titled Chaos Reborn, the game is described as an update to one of Gollop's other classic games, Chaos: The Battle of Wizards. First announced in November 2012, Chaos Reborn will fit into the turn-based strategy genre, which tended to have plenty of success on Kickstarter last year. The game will include "strong RPG elements" as well as "extensive multiplayer and single player options," according to the description on its Prefundia page. The single-player mode has players customizing their wizards and leveling them up through trials in the "Realms of Chaos," acquiring new equipment and treasures along the way before partaking in arena-style battles for up to six players. The 3D arenas will be procedurally-generated, and the leaderboard and tournament-speckled battles will be both live and asynchronous. Gollop also promised a guild and item trading system, in addition to cooperative multiplayer modes. Gollop said the 1985 ZX Spectrum game "stands out as a game with unrealized potential" of all the projects he's credited on in his 30-year development history. "I have spent the last year working on Chaos Reborn, writing the game design, creating a playable prototype and building my team," Gollop added, assuring prospective backers that he intends to complete the project "within a year." Chaos Reborn's development is targeted at PC, Mac and Linux. The development team currently has a functional prototype of the game's multiplayer working, though it uses placeholder art, so backers can expect it to look much different in the coming months. Gollop's Prefundia page noted a target window for the Kickstarter project next month, though it's unclear just when it will launch.
Today's gaming deals from Steam, Square-Enix, Target [update]
Steam's Thin Wallets 2013 Campaign holiday sale continues today with a fresh batch of discounted games you surely have time to play. For the next 24 hours, the Darksiders series, season pass and all, is available for $9.99. Sleeping Dogs is down to $4.99, season passes for Telltale's The Wolf Among Us are $16.74, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2 is $4.99. The current batch of Flash sales will expire at 9 pm EST, but until then you can snatch up The Binding of Isaac for $1.24, XCOM: Enemy Unkown for $9.99, or Deus Ex: Human Revolution Director's Cut for $4.99. If you're looking to play on consoles, Square-Enix's online store is offering 50 percent off select games with an ongoing holiday sale. 360 and PS3 copies of Sleeping Dogs are $14.99. If you're okay with passing up on features included in the more recent Director's Cut, 360 and PS3 copies of Deus Ex: Human Revolution Augmented Edition are also $14.99. You can also get ready for Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII with 360 or PS3 copies of Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy XIII-2 for $10 apiece. Lastly, Target's recent credit card data breach has resulted in many of their in-store items being marked 10 percent off this weekend. Combined with their weeklong sale on 3DS XLs, that means you can pick up a 3DS XL today at Target for $135. If you don't have a 3DS yet, you might want to consider 2013's contributions to its lineup. Update: This article has been updated to reflect changes in pricing for the Steam holiday sale. Prices that were originally listed for the Darksiders series, The Wolf Among Us, KOTOR 2, The Binding of Isaac, XCOM: Enemy Unkown and Director's Cut have all been altered. Thankfully, they're now all cheaper than when the new batch of sales began!
The Bureau: XCOM Declassified out now on Mac
Mac owners can unearth the secrets of The Bureau: XCOM Declassified, with the game now available to the public via the App Store, priced $35. If you'd rather scrutinize the third-person shooter under the cover of Steam, the good news is TransGaming is bringing it there "soon." We were taken in by the The Bureau earlier this year - not in the for-questioning sense, but in a four-stars-out-of-five-glowing-review way. As the always sharp-suited Ludwig put it, "The Bureau: XCOM Declassified feels immediate and inclusive as a strategy game, relying more closely on your rapid-fire commands than the bursts of your rifle. The odd hybrid is far from being fully evolved, but it's well suited to further study."
Report: Bureau, BioShock 2 developer allegedly done for
Yesterday's confirmed layoffs at 2K Marin, developer of The Bureau: XCOM Declassified and BioShock 2, may have been simply the prelude to the long goodbye. Several outlets are reporting the classified story behind the story is that 2K Marin won't be around much longer. A source tells RockPaperShotgun that the studio is "essentially" done, while Polygon has a source saying they are "100 percent sure" 2K Marin in its current incarnation is closed. Allegedly, folks not picked up by Rod Fergusson's new studio for 2K Games in the San Francisco Bay area were the ones let go. During its six-year history, 2K Marin had the unfortunate task of working on the games that, despite critical acclaim, "nobody asked for" – as expressed in the modern parlance.
Layoffs hit The Bureau: XCOM Declassified developer 2K Marin
The Bureau: XCOM Declassified developer 2K Marin has been hit with layoffs. The game launched in August, with downloadable content having arrived just a few weeks ago. A 2K representative told Game Informer, "We can confirm staff reductions at 2K Marin. While these were difficult decisions, we regularly evaluate our development efforts and have decided to reallocate creative resources. Our goal to create world-class video game titles remains unchanged." We've reached out to 2K for more information.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown gets multiplayer, half-price sale on iOS
If $20 was too high an asking price for the iOS serving of XCOM: Enemy Unknown, good news: the game's currently half price, at just $10. What's better is that it's just received an update as well, which adds multiplayer functionality, iOS 7 optimization, and deeper leaderboard stats. We'd personally suggest playing the game on an iPad, and we'd also suggest setting aside a fair share of your upcoming free time. And maybe some of your occupied time. What we're trying to say is "be concerned about the next few weeks after buying XCOM."
The Bureau: XCOM Declassified 360-exclusive DLC launches next week
The first DLC for The Bureau: XCOM Declassified will be uncovered next week, available exclusively on Xbox 360 as detailed previously. 2K Games will make The 'Hangar 6 R&D' DLC available to the public on Tuesday, October 8, priced $5 on the Xbox Games Store. The DLC stars Agent Nico DaSilva as the protagonist rather than Agent Carter, taking place shortly before the events of the main game. DaSilva volunteered to be a part of a psychic experiment program at 'Hangar 6' - sometimes you just need the money. As DLC lead designer Harley White-Wiedow notes, Hangar 6 R&D raises the difficulty level, but aims to balance this with abilities based on the 'Signal and Beyond' level in the game. Also introduced is the delicious-sounding Microwave Gun, along with a new AK-47.
XCOM: Enemy Within 'War Machines' trailer
The XCOM initiative is up against new, vicious extraterrestrials, but enemies aren't the only ones with aces up their cybernetically enhanced sleeves. Choose between alien psychic powers or heavily armored mecha exoskeletons and get to augmenting your soldiers in this XCOM: Enemy Within trailer.
