Nightdive Studios is launching a Kickstarter for its reboot of System Shock, the FPS/RPG that launched a genre and paved the way for games like Bioshock, Soma and Alien: Isolation. Released in 1994, the game’s influence continues to shape modern action games even today.
System Shock’s reboot Kickstarter page explains the game’s enduring influence further:
“System Shock was one of the first 3D games that took a methodical approach to exploration while revealing a story driven narrative through audio logs and messages scattered throughout the game world. It was a revolutionary step forward for the medium in a time when developers first began experimenting with interactive story telling [sic].
Players were trapped aboard Citadel Station as they fought to survive against the cyborgs and mutated crew members corrupted by a maniacal A.I. known as SHODAN, one of the most treacherous antagonists ever conceived. System Shock offered an unparalleled experience that would solidify it as one of the greatest games of all time.”
The reboot will feature reimagined enemies, weapons and locations by original concept artist Robb Waters, as well as Terri Brosius reprising her role as SHODAN with new material. Stretch goals include getting an experienced full orchestra (Prague’s FILMHarmonic Orchestra, who worked on the score for Thief and Civilization V) to record “expressive and impactful” music in order to underscore a “dark and atmospheric” experience.
“This is a full-fledged reboot of a classic game into something new,” said Stephen Kick, CEO of Nightdive Studios. “As well as including members of the original team, such as famed concept artist Robb Waters, we have been expanding to include a number of industry veterans with years of AAA development experience having worked on games such as Fallout, Tomb Raider, Skyrim and Wasteland ."
A pre-alpha demo is available for potential backers to download and play, free of charge, via Steam, GOG or the Humble Store. Nightdive Studios plans to ship the System Shock reboot holiday 2017.
As of writing, the Kickstarter is $132,022 pledged to its $900,000 goal with 29 days to go. You can check out the System Shock reboot Kickstarter page here .
