System Shock 1 remake a possibility

Starker on 10/11/2015 at 11:26

So, apparently Night Dive is thinking about making a full remake of SS1 and they've been working with former LGS concept artist Robb Waters to explore possible directions.

Source: (https://www.fastcompany.com/3053050/app-economy/how-one-company-is-bringing-old-video-games-back-from-the-dead)

henke on 10/11/2015 at 16:04

Yeah interesting stuff! I'm not sure if Night Dive themselves have actually developed any full games previously, but they did publish Spirits of Xanadu which was a quite System Shock-esque game(and pretty good, imo), developed by 2-person studio (http://goodmorningcommander.com/) Good Morning, Commander. Maybe they'll enlist those guys to work on it.

edit: also, this might be my first post in the System Shock subforum. I've only been here 14 years but I finally got around to it! :cheeky:

D'Arcy on 10/11/2015 at 17:07

Welcome, then. You took your time getting here (we registered practically at the same time) :)

Volitions Advocate on 10/11/2015 at 18:43

Colour me interested, skeptical, nervous, and excited.

terrannova on 11/11/2015 at 16:49

Count me in! We'll always have classic Shock either way.

Though I will admit, the task of capturing the atmosphere and immersion of System Shock, and somehow modernizing it, is something I don't even want to fathom. Alien Isolation does tell me it is possible though. :cool:

ZylonBane on 11/11/2015 at 19:37

Seems like they should just hire Otherside to do this after they finish Underworld Ascendant.

Melan on 11/11/2015 at 20:08

Honestly, in the modern gaming environment, this sounds more like a threat than a promise. :(

Besides, why remake a game that already exists? Why not create something as deep as System Shock, but new?

ZylonBane on 11/11/2015 at 23:42

Quote Posted by Melan

Besides, why remake a game that already exists?

Because the implementation is so excruciatingly antiquated that for all practical (commercial) purposes it doesn't exist anymore.

System Shock redone to the level of Alien Isolation or even Soma would be a brand new game as far as mainstream gamers are concerned.

Melan on 12/11/2015 at 07:56

If they want mainstream appeal, they have to do a ton of streamlining, and in today's climate, that unfortunately means foolproofing the game. It is not only SS1's terrible interface that would have to go, but probably much of its mechanical depth and complexity. But then, you have a game that's kinda-sorta SS1, but not really. It still wouldn't work as a modern title, and it wouldn't work as a revival of the original. I am not even counting the difficulties and costs of using modern technology to recreate an old game, just the creative choices.

It would be more respectable and productive to let the dead stay dead, and create a spiritual sequel in the vein of Otherside's Underworld Ascension.

Gryzemuis on 12/11/2015 at 12:16

I bought SS2 in 2000 and played in 2002. Great game. I always wanted to play SS1. But whenever I tried it (a few times), within minutes I stopped. The controls are too clumsy. I like eyecandy, so the looks of SS1 are off-putting for me. But I can get over that. The controls is another thing. I can't deal with them. No matter how good the story is, if I can't make my character move fluid and naturally, and I need to concentrate on which button to push, I will not be able to be immersed.

So yes, even if they would do a faithful remake, with exactly the same story, that would make me happy. New engine (renderer) and new controls, would be a good start. I would finally actually play System Shock !