X-COM XCOM 2 + War of the Chosen Expansion Thread

[Alienman]

What the hell, I thought they would never make it for War of the chosen

 

[ArchAngel]

What the hell, I thought they would never make it for War of the chosen

Pavonis didn't, this is effort of some other modders.

 

[Average Manatee]

Awesome to hear that this happening, but with how much complexity LW has and with how long it takes to complete I'll hold off for something that isn't a beta.

 

[eXalted]

Awesome to hear that this happening, but with how much complexity LW has and with how long it takes to complete I'll hold off for something that isn't a beta.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkr09O8z61-oQlwmtjnczgQTccjbZP_9n

The only streamer you need to watch for LW2. He was part of the test team for LW2 and explains things pretty good.

 

[MadMaxHellfire]

i'm replaying this because my common sense was tingling and i had a lot of updated lw2 compatible mods to try. never cared much for its story, but this time i overheard something and i had a revelation: this is the fiercest aryan propaganda i've ever seen.
think about it, the poor alien dindunuffins came to conquer earth, they're among humans, they mix and breed with them because in human dna they found the cure to their constant, irreversible corruption and decay. comes the commander who'll fight all this, he'll preserve the integrity of human race and fight the invaders, but how? with humans, yes, but who's the apex, who's the most powerful among them? the psionicists, the whitest of the whites.
earth uber alles \o

 

[Assisted Living Godzilla]

No. Firaxis usually stay silent until they announce it close to the release, generally 3 months before.

Only things we know is that it will be on Unreal Engine 4 and that they are working on it since 2017.

Hopefully they return to the comic book aesthetic of X-Com instead of this fucking toy aesthetic which makes the games looks they were made for Xbox Live they've been using for XCOM. What Arc System Works has been doing with Unreal really shows how possible it'd be to bring something that looks like the old intro to life.

 

[Mazisky]

No. Firaxis usually stay silent until they announce it close to the release, generally 3 months before.

Only things we know is that it will be on Unreal Engine 4 and that they are working on it since 2017.

Hopefully they return to the comic book aesthetic of X-Com instead of this fucking toy aesthetic which makes the games looks they were made for Xbox Live they've been using for XCOM. What Arc System Works has been doing with Unreal really shows how possible it'd be to bring something that looks like the old intro to life.

I don't know why you say original had comic style. Intro and in-game artworks were comic but the gameplay part had nothing to do with comic style. It was just that standard colorful 90's graphics that all isometric games had at the time.

 

[Assisted Living Godzilla]

No. Firaxis usually stay silent until they announce it close to the release, generally 3 months before.

Only things we know is that it will be on Unreal Engine 4 and that they are working on it since 2017.

Hopefully they return to the comic book aesthetic of X-Com instead of this fucking toy aesthetic which makes the games looks they were made for Xbox Live they've been using for XCOM. What Arc System Works has been doing with Unreal really shows how possible it'd be to bring something that looks like the old intro to life.

I don't know why you say original had comic style. Intro and in-game artworks were comic but the gameplay part had nothing to do with comic style. It was just that standard colorful 90's graphics that all isometric games had at the time.

The in-game aesthetic of the character sprites is clearly meant to reflect the same aesthetic you see in the intro and in-game artwork. It's not like they're two totally different aesthetic.

 

[LESS T_T]

I wonder if Firaxis is making a turn-based isometric RPG, looking at how Divinity is doing: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewmcgee/

Firaxis Games: Unannounced Project (2018)
- Creating quests and dialogue for playable characters within the bounds of 2 major IPs
- Working with Lead Designers on restructuring flow of main game
- Writing scripts in Final Draft; writing barks in Unreal 4 Engine

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kittyhughes/

Level Designer
Company Name Firaxis Games
Dates Employed Feb 2018 – Mar 2018
Employment Duration 2 mos
Location Sparks Glencoe, Maryland

Created levels in the form of dungeons, gameplay mechanics, and iterated on existing assets to make new, fun, playable adventures for an unannounced title.

"dungeons"

Suspicious job postings.

Writer (this may be for Civ-related than XCOM, but also could be new IP): https://chp.tbe.taleo.net/chp04/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=GAMES2K&cws=63&rid=3581

Firaxis Games is looking for a talented and creative writer to join one of our AAA development teams. The ideal candidate is creative, highly articulate, and capable of collaborating with designers to generate original ideas for characters, content, and narrative that fuels the imagination. They must have a strong understanding of story and drama and be capable of contributing in multiple genres. A strong background in or knowledge of history and historical research are huge advantages.

What You Will Do:

• Collaborate with content creators and designers to create interesting personalities and characters that engage player’s emotions through written dialogue
• Write and edit dialogue, backstories, lore, story and expository text
• Research historical topics from public sources and distill the findings into brief explanatory pieces for a general audience in a light and engaging style
• Understand and advocate for culturally sensitive issues in historical topics, especially as these may reflect on present day political or cultural contexts and explain these to an audience of non-specialists

What We Are Looking For:

• 2+ years as a Writer, Narrative Designer, or other position with commensurate duties
• Exceptional communications and problem-solving skills
• The ability to adapt tone and style to different genres/game-environments
• An interest and love of history from a variety of perspectives
• Experience working within the restrictions of localization processes a plus
• Unreal 4 Engine experience a plus
• Knowledge of audio design techniques and technology a plus

World Builder (more of technical job than it sounds, this directly refers XCOM team): https://chp.tbe.taleo.net/chp04/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=GAMES2K&cws=63&rid=3602

Firaxis Games is looking for an exceptionally skilled World Builder to help take the team that brought you XCOM to the next level. As a World Builder, you will be working closely with the Lead Environment Artist and Project Art Director to create high quality assets that match the look and feel of the game world. This position has a strong focus on world building and level creation. The ideal candidate must have a solid grasp of modeling and texturing both organic and hard surfaced assets, as well as an excellent working knowledge of the tools and skills listed below.

Responsibilities:

• Work with Level Designers and Environment Art team to build levels that both play well and look great
• Prototype level layouts quickly and efficiently and create grey box assets that will be finished by Environment Artists
• Own the creation of levels from layout through final set dressing and polish
• Help estimate and plan production times with production team
• Optimize levels for memory and performance
• Maintain playability of level including collision generation to ensure proper pathing and player experience
• Create tiling, trim and prop materials with thorough understanding of Physically Based Shading using Substance Designer and Painter

Qualifications:

• A minimum of 3 years' experience in game development modeling and texturing environments using ZBrush, 3DS Max and Photoshop (or equivalent 3D and 2D programs)
• At least two shipped products as an environment artist
• A solid understanding of form, color and lighting
• Skilled at high and low poly modeling in 3d packages such as Maya or 3ds Max
• Strong foundation in design, color and composition and scale
• Good sensibility for both architecture and natural biome creation
• Solid texturing and painting skills (an understanding of physically based materials is a plus)
• Professional experience working in Unreal 4 or other game engine including modular level construction and terrain editing
• Self-motivated, good communicator and a great team-player
• Exceptional communications skills, both oral and written
• The ability to “kit bash” existing props to get maximum usage
• Must have current US work authorization

 

[Mazisky]

Yeah, they are literally Civ 7 and Xcom 3.

However, both games are on Unreal engine 4, isn't civ 6 on that? It could be the new IP then unless they change engine again for next Civ.

 

[Space Satan]

I suppose buX-Com3 will continue X-Com2 storyline as advertised in WotC ending and we'll have to deal with mopping up last remains of the ADVENT and fighting the new underwater menace.

 

[Perkel]

I suppose buX-Com3 will continue X-Com2 storyline as advertised in WotC ending and we'll have to deal with mopping up last remains of the ADVENT and fighting the new underwater menace.

I would love it if they would go Xcom apocalypse. I loved that fucking game concept.

for those who don't know wiki:

Similar to the first two X-COM games, Apocalypse features a map-like management mode (the Cityscape) and an isometric combat mode (the Battlescape). The management mode takes place in a single city, called Mega Primus, rather than being spread out over the entire planet Earth as in the previous games. In addition, Apocalypse was the first game in the X-COM series to include a real-time combat option as well as the traditional turn-based mode.[1]

Apocalypse features a re-done interface with new graphics. It is more complex, and the task of keeping and increasing the funding of the X-COM organization now extends to not only intercepting UFOs, but also to minimizing collateral damage, preventing alien hostile takeovers and even raiding the buildings of other organisations, of which there are several in Mega Primus

And that game had full destruction of buildings. So if you would destroy supports whole buildings would go down in flames. Which was fun considering you had to keep in mind collateral damage.

 

[Mazisky]

I am pretty sure Xcom 3 will be the new apocalypse for 3 reasons:

1- The Apocalypse plot and setting fits perfectly with the end of Xcom 2:

2- The game designer (Jake Solomon) said many times that Apocalypse was his favourite Xcom.

3- He also said that he wanna keep the franchise in fighting earth without going mad on other planets or things like that.
The only way to keep the earth setting fresh without being redundnant with a 3rd game is going apocalypse.

 

[HumanHalf]

I am pretty sure Xcom 3 will be the new apocalypse for 3 reasons:

1- The Apocalypse plot and setting fits perfectly with the end of Xcom 2:

2- The game designer (Jake Solomon) said many times that Apocalypse was his favourite Xcom.

3- He also said that he wanna keep the franchise in fighting earth without going mad on other planets or things like that.
The only way to keep the earth setting fresh without being redundnant with a 3rd game is going apocalypse.

But what about that cliffhanger in the end of XCOM2? Wasn't there a reference to Terror from the Deep?
Also, how are they going to make something close to Apocalypse if they went full console/gamepad with the last 2 (3 if we remember bureau) games in the series? There is a lot of complexity in Apocalypse despite it being broken, and the main difference between Apocalypse and 1/2 was how it outgrew 1/2 in almost every way possible.

 

[Space Satan]

I wonder how they will deal with the part of humanity being crippled at the end of X-Com2 and most major cities destroyed. And now had to resist some force Ethereals were unable to defeat with all their resources, knowledge and power.

 

[ArchAngel]

I wonder how they will deal with the part of humanity being crippled at the end of X-Com2 and most major cities destroyed. And now had to resist some force Ethereals were unable to defeat with all their resources, knowledge and power.

But they didn't have an army of superheroes like Xcom has :D

 

[Mazisky]

I am pretty sure Xcom 3 will be the new apocalypse for 3 reasons:

1- The Apocalypse plot and setting fits perfectly with the end of Xcom 2:

2- The game designer (Jake Solomon) said many times that Apocalypse was his favourite Xcom.

3- He also said that he wanna keep the franchise in fighting earth without going mad on other planets or things like that.
The only way to keep the earth setting fresh without being redundnant with a 3rd game is going apocalypse.

But what about that cliffhanger in the end of XCOM2? Wasn't there a reference to Terror from the Deep?
Also, how are they going to make something close to Apocalypse if they went full console/gamepad with the last 2 (3 if we remember bureau) games in the series? There is a lot of complexity in Apocalypse despite it being broken, and the main difference between Apocalypse and 1/2 was how it outgrew 1/2 in almost every way possible.

No way they make a Terror from the Deep, Jake Solomon said it would be boing to have most game underwater, and i agree. I think they will go apocalypse with just a "cameo" of Tftd with the new menace coming from underwater rather than the otherworld like apocalypse. Basically they merge both games lore.
As for the complexity i am talking about the game setting (big city where humanity gathered and a cityscape replacing the geoscape), not the gameplay. I have no idea about that.

 

[HumanHalf]

I am pretty sure Xcom 3 will be the new apocalypse for 3 reasons:

1- The Apocalypse plot and setting fits perfectly with the end of Xcom 2:

2- The game designer (Jake Solomon) said many times that Apocalypse was his favourite Xcom.

3- He also said that he wanna keep the franchise in fighting earth without going mad on other planets or things like that.
The only way to keep the earth setting fresh without being redundnant with a 3rd game is going apocalypse.

But what about that cliffhanger in the end of XCOM2? Wasn't there a reference to Terror from the Deep?
Also, how are they going to make something close to Apocalypse if they went full console/gamepad with the last 2 (3 if we remember bureau) games in the series? There is a lot of complexity in Apocalypse despite it being broken, and the main difference between Apocalypse and 1/2 was how it outgrew 1/2 in almost every way possible.

No way they make a Terror from the Deep, Jake Solomon said it would be boing to have most game underwater, and i agree. I think they will go apocalypse with just a "cameo" of Tftd with the new menace coming from underwater rather than the otherworld like apocalypse. Basically they merge both games lore.
As for the complexity i am talking about the game setting (big city where humanity gathered and a cityscape replacing the geoscape), not the gameplay. I have no idea about that.

>implying making a dumbed down XCOM was not boring
Dunno, there is a lot they can do to make it "new" enough. Bring back features they had to cut, for example. I am all for apocalypse-like game, but I'd like to see that lovecraftian stuff have a new face in a new game. After all, cosmic horror deserves to be in a good game once in a while.

 

[HumanHalf]

Hehey, finishing Bureau: Xcom declassified almost makes me wish for a better xcom action game.

"I use the example of music artists. Look at someone old school like Ray Charles. If he would make music today it would still be Ray Charles, but he would probably do it more in the style of Kanye West," he said. "Bringing Ray Charles back is all fine and good, but it just needs to move on, although the core essence will still be the same."

Can't believe someone said shit like that unironically and THEN released the game which makes going blind look like a good option. So much lost potential, writing so bad it is funny, and to rub the salt in the wound it is a canonical prequel of xcom reboot. Damn.

 

[Fedora Master]

If you think Firaxis will create anything close to Apocalypse or is even capable of doing so you're gonna be disappointed.

 

[ArchAngel]

They are capable, the question is if they want to.

If you watched some of the early dev videos of nuXcom 1 you can see they originally went more old school but then decided against it because they were afraid it would appeal to less people.

 

[cvv]

Mang, UFO and TftD were my favourite games back in the day but I hated playing Apocalypse. Maybe because it was so different and I just wanted more UFO, dunno. But I uninstalled it after like two hours and never got back to it.

Then again with so many UFO-likes in recent years plus Phoenix Point coming out maybe I'd actually like Firaxis to come up with something new and/or different.

 

[Average Manatee]

I really doubt they would attempt the whole Apocalypse deal, i.e. basically a GTA-esque living world of crazy shit going down with everything permanently destructible and faction diplomacy (with factions that are supposed to be friendly starting WW1 with each other because of a single stray missile, then dragging YOU into the conflict because the friend of my enemy is also my enemy). There's a reason the original was so underdeveloped and that's because it was so overambitious. They might make something in a similar vein but with randomly generated missions across just a normal city that is either static or has pre-scripted destruction as alien panic rises. It would be a "safe" way to do something different without experimenting too much with new mechanics.

 

[Fedora Master]

They are capable, the question is if they want to.

If you watched some of the early dev videos of nuXcom 1 you can see they originally went more old school but then decided against it because they were afraid it would appeal to less people.

Naturally. Firaxis got their priorities straight as far as catering to retarded normals goes. See also: Civilization.

 

[Mazisky]

I want to remember to you "special" guys that a publisher won't invest in a game if he guesses it will gonna sell only to 4 random "special" people in the codex, so they won't make an over complicated game for "special" dudes.

To be honest i like that middle ground they reached so far, not hardcore but not easy either. And remember that 2k resumed the franchise from the dead, despite being a niche genre, so for once try to see the good stuff and be objective.

Meanwhile EA killed Simcity and Command and Conquer, while 2k financed Xcom. That's the opposite.