Game News Nightdive Studios' System Shock Remake Kickstarter is live, Chris Avellone onboard

[Jrpgfan]

Not sure if people are already aware but the campaign reached its main goal.

From the looks of it, it's very likely they're gonna reach the stretch goals.

 

[Andhaira]

Anyone play the demo? Is it worth playing?

Also, they mention RPG elements, a melding of System SHock 1, 2 & Bioshock. Does this mean this game will have character generation similar to SS2, and psionics, or will we only play as a 'Hacker' like in the original SS1?

 

[bonescraper]

Everyone has played the demo, what's the fucking problem, you need a PC and an internet connection.

And it's not so much a demo as it is a technology demonstrator/proof of concept. It's absolutely barebones.

 

[Andhaira]

Everyone has played the demo, what's the fucking problem, you need a PC and an internet connection.

And it's not so much a demo as it is a technology demonstrator/proof of concept. It's absolutely barebones.

What is it with you and your obsession with bones?

Anyhow I don't want to bother with a tech demo because I try to avoid downloading junk. Especially junk made in shit unity.

I am interested in the eventual full game though, having played SS1 back in the day. However SSII blew it out of the fucking water, and part of that was due to the rpg elements. Since they mention those again and how this will not be a pure SS1 remake but have elements from both games as well as Bioshock, I want to know if they will have Psi from SSII in it.

 

[---]

It's plenty of video on Youtube, judge by yourself

 

[DraQ]

However SSII blew it out of the fucking water, and part of that was due to the rpg elements.

A genuine andharia moment.

 

[Maculo]

I am undecided whether to back this. SS1 and SS2 were good on their own in my opinion. Still, I wish the stretch goals for 1.1 million (Mac support) and 1.4 million (RPG mechanics) were switched. I have nothing against mac and linux support, but that RPG mechanics stretch goal seems far more significant.

 

[Andhaira]

However SSII blew it out of the fucking water, and part of that was due to the rpg elements.

A genuine andharia moment.

Maybe try playing SSII before leaping to judgements?

 

[DraQ]

However SSII blew it out of the fucking water, and part of that was due to the rpg elements.

A genuine andharia moment.

Maybe try playing SSII before leaping to judgements?

Why do you think I haven't?

 

[mindx2]

Anyone play the demo? Is it worth playing?

Also, they mention RPG elements, a melding of System SHock 1, 2 & Bioshock. Does this mean this game will have character generation similar to SS2, and psionics, or will we only play as a 'Hacker' like in the original SS1?

It's really just a "concept" type demo showing a very tiny slice of SS1's first level. From that very tiny slice I can say it looks like an updated SS1 graphically but it doesn't quite feel like ss1.... yet. I see what they want to do and if they follow SS1 level and quest design as it appears to (again from this very tiny slice and what they've said publicly) then I'll be happy with my purchase/pledge. Movement doesn't respond like SS1 at all right now. It's too grimdark horror for me as I don't want SS2 but the mix so far isn't deterring me away.... yet. Graphically it's fine for the size and scope of this type project. I think they're on the right track but have a looooooooooong way to go. So, really there are more questions/concerns than definitive answers but I don't dislike too much what I've seen or heard yet ... just a little cautious.

 

[LeStryfe79]

 

[mindx2]

I don't get it... what video is he talking about?

 

[Boleskine]

I don't get it... what video is he talking about?

 

[mindx2]

#10
System Shock Remix Album: Celldweller & Blue Stahli; New Backer Missions
Posted by Jonathan Peros (Collaborator)
Hey everyone! Jonathan (audio) here again. I am really excited to talk more about the System Shock remix stretch goal; it’s been my passion project during development. Just a recap: the $1.9m stretch goal for the project is to have the soundtrack from System Shock 1 remixed by a roster of fantastic musicians to be released along with the game. There is also an achievement (more on these later in the update) in which we will implement these remixes as an alternate soundtrack for the game, perhaps in an unlockable mode. We've still got a little ways to go, but if you help get the word out, I'm confident we can get this remix album goal met and begin getting some awesome remixes sent to your earholes! Now let me get the thrill of telling you a little about two of the artists that we will be working with when this stretch goal is reached: Celldweller and Blue Stahli.

Celldweller
Celldweller creates a fusion of digital and organic textures: intricately designed soundscapes constructed from Drum & Bass, Electro and Modular Synths, woven together with aggressive Rock, Metal and Orchestral elements. Celldweller ignores genre boundaries and creates a pioneering vision of the future of electronic music. His focus on space themes and Sci-Fi, his fantastic synth sounds (his modular setup is beautiful), and his dark aesthetic make him a perfect fit for System Shock. His Transmissions albums have been a huge inspiration to me for System Shock’s synthetic sound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mujf5kKSBMw

Klayton, the multifaceted producer behind Celldweller, not only creates artist albums that have garnered an intense cult following, but is well known in the media industry for his music appearing in hundreds of major Film, TV, Video Game & Trailer projects, from Killer Instinct Season 3 to John Wick, Lucy, Robocop, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows to Dead Rising 2 & 3, Deadpool and more.

Klayton (Celldweller) in the studio
For more information on Celldweller, visit: http://facebook.com/celldweller

Blue Stahli
The music of Blue Stahli is a roller coaster ride derailed mid-journey, landing on another track, only this time rolling backwards. Just when you think you know what Blue Stahli has in store for you, the floor drops out from under you and sends you straight into a cacophonous amalgamation of sounds you never imagined could be combined. Sometimes aggressive, artistic, and full of piss’n’vinegar, other-times vividly cinematic and wildly epic. He covers a huge variety of sound in his music; check out his Antisleep albums for a taste of what’s in store.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DzlYVFU8Oo
The sole member of Blue Stahli, Bret, comes from a background of fetish burlesque troupes, drag queen fronted punk bands and believes that he is visited in his dreams by the ghost of William S. Burroughs. Blue Stahli’s music has been heard in Film/TV/Game Projects like: Taken 3, X-Men, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Star Trek, Expendables, Call of Duty, American Horror Story and more.

Blue Stahli in the studio
For more information on Blue Stahli, visit: http://facebook.com/bluestahlimusic

And for those of you who aren't already fans, Celldweller and Blue Stahli have put up some free tracks for you guys to listen to! Go ahead and download them here:

Celldweller and Blue Stahli free mp3 pack [bit.ly]

New Backer Missions (Achievements)
We are now including more ways for you backers to earn achievements! We really want you guys to unlock some of these higher tier achievements, so we have included some really easy ways for you earn points. These come in the form of helping spread word about this Kickstarter campaign toward the end here. Use this chance to retweet our tweets, share and like our Facebook posts, and tweet with the #SystemShock hashtag; you’ll earn some neat unlockables and you’ll help us keep word about the game going, so that we can make the game as good as we possibly can! You're also up to 10 achievement points, so we are going to open a public channel on the Nightdive Studios Discord server for you guys! Keep posted for this, and keep spreading the word to unlock more!
Nightdive Studios Facebook
Nightdive Studios Twitter
System Shock Twitter

Feedback
Just a reminder that we have a ton of feedback to sort through on Kickstarter! If you want to make our jobs easier when it comes to tracking and answering feedback, though, feel free to post on Reddit! Things are much easier to track and respond to on there.
System Shock subreddit

The sole member of Blue Stahli, Bret, comes from a background of fetish burlesque troupes, drag queen fronted punk bands and believes that he is visited in his dreams by the ghost of William S. Burroughs.

lol, what...?

 

[Space Insect]

I really am not impressed by the example music of the two composers. Neither of them sound very cyberpunk or anywhere close to the music of SS1 or SS2. It misses the ostinato approach of much cyberpunk leaning music and instead sounds like something you would hear in D44M.

(Maybe I am just not very familiar with the genre of music that these two specialize in.)

 

[Maculo]

I agree with Space insect. This reminds me of what Id Software did with the Doom 4 soundtrack. They took a basic premise of the prior game's soundtrack and created a very different sound by the end of it. Granted, even SS1 and SS2 had rather different soundtracks in my opinion (my favorite two tracks below).

 

[DraQ]

I agree with Space insect. This reminds me of what Id Software did with the Doom 4 soundtrack. They took a basic premise of the prior game's soundtrack and created a very different sound by the end of it. Granted, even SS1 and SS2 had rather different soundtracks in my opinion (my favorite two tracks below).

I still have a hard time understanding how would anyone prefer SS1 OST over SS2's.
Plus music largely composed of semi-random abrupt noises doesn't really mesh well with game that has you pay attention to abrupt noises.

 

[Maculo]

I agree with you for the most part DraQ. I thought SS2's soundtrack was superb overall and it added to the atmosphere. I especially loved running through the Engineering deck with that soundtrack on blast.

That being said, I think SS1's soundtrack has a nostalgic or a "comfy" quality to it (I am not sure what to call it really), which is strange when I consider how abrupt the music is. It has a sound and quality that I would attribute to older games. Plus, my favorite track from SS1 is the track I posted above ("L07, Energy S."), which is essentially 3 minutes of random, abrupt noises, and so I may not have room to talk.

edit: I am replaying SS2 with a Psi-Melee Specialist build, and I am starting to think SS2 is one of the best pieces of marketing for Monkey Wrenches.

 

[Fenix]

I still have a hard time understanding how would anyone prefer SS1 OST over SS2's.
Plus music largely composed of semi-random abrupt noises doesn't really mesh well with game that has you pay attention to abrupt noises.

It is compicated thing to explain.
I'm not prefer SS1 OST over SS2 btw.
I want to say that while both games are belong to one setting, genre, title etc. you shouldn't be deceived, it is main'y different games that - and I say this for sure - have absolutely equal value.
Someone can prefer various parts over different parts of one or another game - sounds, music, controls, rpg elements etc while as a whole they are equal.
When you hear System Shock Soundtrack - L07 - Energy S., Eng., Flight Deck how can you say it is bad or cheap music or something?
It is clearly a masterwork, which fits perfectly first SS game. It is just what it is, and honest in that it does. It is cast (?) from those times.

Then take SS2 Engineering - it is fucking mindblowind music. I definitely in euphoria while listening it. Does it mean that it is better? - no, because then it's mean that System Shock Soundtrack - L07 - Energy S., Eng., Flight Deck is worse, which isn't true. It is just different, and this is almost the only time I can remember I admit such argument is true.
Both games are honest work of honest people, that's just 5 year between them which is a huge gap in society and game industry in those times.

While first track can be called like crude pagan idol maybe (and every analogue is a lie I know), second track amazes with crazy elegance together with SHODAN art from SS2 - it is more Michelangelo work.

 

[Boleskine]

Continuation of Matt Chat w/ Stephen Kick

 

[vortex]

I would like fusion of orchestral and electronic music something like Dark soul 3 has only modernized. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrYPqtWWB3s&list=PLCLeSTzz6trYB89ZYFswkVKoQWPZ6e7_1)
The reason why orchestral is good fit is to build up the horror tension with some old/new encounters.

 

[Morality Games]

I am undecided whether to back this. SS1 and SS2 were good on their own in my opinion. Still, I wish the stretch goals for 1.1 million (Mac support) and 1.4 million (RPG mechanics) were switched. I have nothing against mac and linux support, but that RPG mechanics stretch goal seems far more significant.

It updates incline game design into graphics/ease of use acceptable to the new generation. Chalk it up as a charitable donation to support the arts, or think of yourself as a mortally wounded "Starship Trooper" Federation marine firing into a horde of Arcachnids. Eventually the bugs are going to get you, but you need to make every bullet count -- make the incline go as far as it can.

 

[Space Insect]

It updates incline game design into graphics/ease of use acceptable to the new generation. Chalk it up as a charitable donation to support the arts, or think of yourself as a mortally wounded "Starship Trooper" Federation marine firing into a horde of Arcachnids. Eventually the bugs are going to get you, but you need to make every bullet count -- make the incline go as far as it can.

But it seems like they hope to change more rather than just updating the graphics and the complicated controls. That is the reason why much of the Codex is choosing to cancel their backing or refusing to back at all.

 

[Maculo]

I am undecided whether to back this. SS1 and SS2 were good on their own in my opinion. Still, I wish the stretch goals for 1.1 million (Mac support) and 1.4 million (RPG mechanics) were switched. I have nothing against mac and linux support, but that RPG mechanics stretch goal seems far more significant.

It updates incline game design into graphics/ease of use acceptable to the new generation. Chalk it up as a charitable donation to support the arts, or think of yourself as a mortally wounded "Starship Trooper" Federation marine firing into a horde of Arcachnids. Eventually the bugs are going to get you, but you need to make every bullet count -- make the incline go as far as it can.

My understanding was the developers want to do more than just a graphics touch-up. Personally, I have no problem with that, as is it is an excuse to replay a great game, but I think it can inject different or contrary game design. One example that springs to mind was the modder who created a combat mod for Arcanum, which was decent my opinion. The mod, however, went a step further with unique spells and "boss" monsters spread throughout the map. The mod injected new game design, which carried its own problems. In relation to SS1, I expect to see some design decisions that not everyone agrees with.

For instance, I wonder how a stronger RPG mechanic would change the overall pace and style of the game. Alternatively, the developers may have a different opinion on the atmosphere of the game. This difference could reflect in the reinterpretation of either the graphics,the music, or the newly promised puzzles and mechanics. Ultimately, this game may run into a similar situation as Doom 4. With Doom 4, the developers wanted a "throw-back" to the original games, but they still made something rather different.

I still think it looks promising.

 

[Morality Games]

Well, it isn't as though remakes are bad in principle. The PSP consisted mostly of superior versions of jRPGs from the 90s.