For a while now, fans ofSystem Shockhave been looking forward to the release of remasters of the game andSystem Shock 2: Enhanced Edition. Developer Nightdive Studios announced theSystem Shock 2remasterin 2019, and said there would be plans for the game to receive a VR mode.
Now, Nightdive has revealed that the remasteredSystem Shocksequel is receiving a playable VR mode for the game’s release. Nightdive determined thatSystem Shock 2has the potential foundation for the virtual reality features, and is capitalizing on this to create a playable VR version of the remaster.
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The idea came to Nightdive’s attention while the developer was in the process of going through the game’s framework. According to Nightdive CEO Stephen Kick, the option for a playable VR mode forSystem Shock 2emerged while the developer was in the process of reverse-engineering the “missing libraries” for the game. Kick said the idea of a “standalone VR version” came around then, and the studio brought in a VR expert to take a look at the game and let them know what they were working with.
Using the expert’s input, the developer was made aware thatSystem Shock 2has the blueprint for a working VR mode, but the developer is doing more than making it an add-on. Reportedly, Kick said that the playable VR mode will be a fully-fleshed out feature of the game and the studio is building the remaster’s VR experience from the ground up.System Shock 2’sVR mode will also be fully compatible with its multiplayer mode, so players can play together inSystem Shock’ssci-fi horrorsetting.
Through cross-platform play, the game’s co-op mode can be played in VR too, with one player using VR and another using a PC to play the game together. One of the reasons Nightdive is developing a dedicated VR mode forSystem Shock 2: Enhanced Editionis the immersive element it can bring to playing the game. Kick mentioned that in VR “you’re the one actually swinging the weapons, you’re reloading [the guns] yourself.”
It’s the personal element VR brings to the table that could enhance the overall gameplay experience. To help accomplish this, Nightdive has been studying other VR video games that have come out in recent years to help make the VR mode. Notably,Half-Life: Alyxreleased last year, which the developer cites as a huge inspiration for the remaster’s VR mode.
Currently, the VR mode forSystem Shock 2: Enhanced Editionis in the prototype stage, so it might not be released with the remaster ortheSystem Shockremake.
System Shock 2: Enhanced Editionwill release for PC, but currently has no release date.
