Warren Spector joining Otherside to lead System Shock 3 development...

Vicarious on 21/2/2016 at 07:57

I disagree. First of all, it's stupid to announce the game with absolutely nothing to show, especially when you're a small developer. Second, it's Shock3. It's not an unknown franchise so veteran gamers and news sites will spread the word anyway. And spreading the word, literally, just the word, with nothing but a logo to go with... doesn't seem like something that will catch an interest of anyone who isn't a System Shock fan anyway.

Starker on 21/2/2016 at 09:37

What exactly is the harm in doing that, though? Are people not going to buy the game because it was announced too early?

Also, the last Shock came out 16 years ago. Meanwhile, an entire generation of teenagers has grown up who hadn't even been born at the time. At the very least it will get people talking about it and spreading the word, so people who haven't played the games will have a chance to hear about it more often.

Vicarious on 21/2/2016 at 10:38

I never said it is harmful, I simply question the logic behind it. What's the point of announcing the game that's not even in full production and doesn't have a clear vision yet? Doesn't it make more sense to first get it to the point where it's somewhat representative of what it's supposed to be?

And again, spreading the word now doesn't matter, does it? None of those youngsters will talk about it because there's literally nothing to talk about. I mean, I love Shock2 and I have nothing to say about it because there's just no foundation for any kind of discussion other than wild speculation. It will be forgotten again before they have anything to show.

UNLESS, like Pyrian suggested, they intend to ask for money.

Also, I want to make it clear that I'm just clarifying my point here. Before somebody assumes that I'm pissed and angry just because they've announced the game too early.

Starker on 21/2/2016 at 11:50

Quote Posted by Vicarious

I never said it is harmful, I simply question the logic behind it. What's the point of announcing the game that's not even in full production and doesn't have a clear vision yet?

To let people know that it's going to happen? Maybe they are simply excited about it themselves and want to share the news with fans of the series?

Also, there are lots of people who don't read forums or gaming sites regularly, so the more it gets talked about the better. Personally, I'm glad to know early that SS3 is planned. That lets me put aside money for a potential Kickstarter.

Vae on 21/2/2016 at 21:42

Spector is a double-edged sword...A roll of the dice...with the potential for greatness.

If he listens well to the OtherSide team, it will add a plus to the roll.

ZylonBane on 22/2/2016 at 05:06

Yes, Spector is a sentient double-edged rolling dice sword. Y'all heard it here first.

henke on 22/2/2016 at 09:54

Will he swing one way and cut the rope that suspends an anvil dangling above the computer that holds all of Otherside's cool ideas for SS3? Or will he swing the other way, cutting a nice big birthdaycake into equal slices for everyone at the Otherside office to share? Who knows! :o

henke on 22/2/2016 at 11:18

Also, hey look at this, a Polygon interview with Spector about SS3: (http://www.polygon.com/2016/2/19/11057698/heres-what-warren-spectors-doing-about-system-shock-3)

Quote:

Staring out of windows and going for long walks is a big part of early game development.

"I want to answer some of the questions that we didn't answer in System Shock and System Shock 2. I'm thinking about those questions that went unanswered. I'm thinking about what the game is really about.

"If a game is just about what is happening on the surface, like killing everything that moves or moving blocks around, that's boring and a waste of time. Games can have powerful themes and subtext. They can be about more. I am working on what the game is really about."

heywood on 22/2/2016 at 17:43

I'm interested to see what the future holds, but I have a feeling SS3 is going to get big. With Spector's involvement, and his plans to recruit a team, and the high profile of the franchise, it's hard to see Otherside remaining as a small independent team of vets. Especially if Underworld Ascendant is successful, they're going to have publishers lined up to throw money at SS3.

D'Arcy on 22/2/2016 at 18:09

I'm not sure if that's a good thing. If you get publishers throwing money at SS3, they'll expect return for their investment, which means that the game will be dumbed down in order to appeal to the masses.