In a surprise discovery it has been found that the soon to be re-released System Shock 2, a horror FPS from the makers of Bioshock, will not feature any sort of online or co-op. The game released originally in 1999, before there was any widespread internet gaming, and so the survival horror action game had to survive on simply its campaign and storytelling alone. Using a mix of mechanics and design the game managed to find an audience despite not being stuffed to the gills with micro-transactions, online components or even just lots and lots of shooting.
I asked John Riccitiello of EA games if they knew how they dared to do it.
“We don’t know how they dare do it,” explained Mr Riccitello “such a brave and controversial move has never been done before! Release just a game! By itself! As if that alone is what people want? It can’t work. GOG are signing their own bankruptcy papers as we speak if you ask me.” I asked Mr Riccitello if the results of this daring experiment would lead to changes at EA, and more specifically the Dead Space franchise.
“Well I suppose I could pay attention to what consumers want, or I could stick my head into this very large bucket of sand. I get the feeling the sand is the better option, after all sand makes glass and glass is what iPads are made of, and they’re successful aren’t they? So if we copy Apple we’ll be fine! I’ll just dig myself a little hole in the centre here…”
This is where my interview with Mr Riccitello concluded.
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