Video Games
‘System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster’ Console Release Delayed to July
Just a couple days before Nightdive unleashes their update to the 1998 classic, System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster has had its console release pushed to next month. The Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and Humble Store releases will still launch as originally planned on June 26.
In a post to Bluesky, Nightdive explains that they have encountered issues that have prevented the developer from launching the game on consoles, including Xbox, Switch, and PlayStation. When asked to elaborate, Nightdive explained that the primary issue was due to delays with the certification (CERT) process required to publish on certain console platforms. There are also “a handful of multiplayer-specific issues.” Nevertheless, Nightdive is working to address the issues “quickly as possible.”
As mentioned, the PC launch will proceed as planned, with the console release “now targeting the first two weeks of July.”
Set 42 years after the events of the first game, System Shock 2 sees players embody a soldier who awakens from cryo-sleep with cybernetic implants grafted to his flesh. As he sets out to unravel the horrifying mystery of the derelict starship, he’ll need to hone his upgradable skills and utilize powerful weapons and paranormal psionic abilities to survive the monstrous creations of SHODAN — and endure her narcissistic god complex.
And in case you missed it, Nightdive released a trailer during the Future Games Show a few weeks back that focused on the multiplayer component of System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster.
Overshadowing the announcement of Ninja Theory’s third entry in the Hellblade series earlier this month were reports that the developer was facing possible closure by Microsoft, alongside South of Midnight developer Compulsion Games and Double Fine. Now according to a new story by GamesBeat, another developer under the Xbox Game Studios umbrella is potentially facing closure in Undead Labs, who are currently working on State of Decay 3.
Earlier this month, new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma had announced that Microsoft was in the process of ‘resetting’ Xbox. That resulted in a report by Bloomberg during Summer Game Fest that revealed that multiple developers were negotiating with Microsoft to spin off of Xbox to avoid closing down. Now, according to the GamesBeat report, Undead Labs is now part of that group of developers negotiating to be bought to avoid layoffs.
The article states that Undead Labs could lose 110 jobs if it were shut down, while Compulsion could lose 90 jobs, Ninja Theory could lose 135 jobs, and Double Fine Productions could lose 100 jobs.
Other developers and publishers at Microsoft also reportedly face cuts, including Blizzard, id Software and Bethesda.
Undead Labs was acquired by Microsoft back in 2018, with State of Decay 3 being announced in 2020. News on the development of the game was quiet until 2024, when a new trailer was released. Updates on the game again were hard to come by until last January when then-Xbox Game Studios lead Craig Duncan revealed that development was still very much alive. That was followed up this month with an official announcement that State of Decay 3 would be coming next year to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC via Steam and Microsoft Store.