//UPLINK ESTABLISHED
//WARNING! – THIS SYSTEM IS CLASSIFIED – AUTHORISED ACCESS ONLY
//ACCESS CODE ACCEPTED
//RECEIVING SECURE TRANSMISSION… STAND BY
//WELCOME TO THE EXTRATERRESTRIAL COMBAT UNIT, DIRECTOR
- Developer – Firaxis Games
- Publisher – 2K Games
- Director – Jake Solomon, GENTLEMAN ADVENTURER
- Oversight – Sid Meier
- Composer – Mike McCann
- Platforms – PC, Xbox 360, PS3
- Ratings – ESRB: M | PEGI: 18 | OFLC: MA15+
- North America – October 9th 2012
- Europe/Australia – October 12th 2012
- Available – Steam | GMG | Amazon | In Stores
- NB: Steamworks enabled.
- The GAFCOM Steam Group Initiative is online. Link your SteamID in the thread or PM Director Jintor with a link to your SteamID for invitation.
It is the year 1999 2015. Unidentified Flying Objects have begun appearing with disturbing regularity in the night skies. Reports of violent human abductions and horrific experimentation have struck terror into the hearts of millions. Mass public hysteria has only served to expose Earth’s impotence against vastly superior alien technology.
The situation seems dire.
In response to these myriad threats, this Council of Nations has chosen to reactivate the long-dormant Extraterrestrial Combat Unit, otherwise known as the XCOM project. Take command of this secretive military organisation, equipped with the latest technology and staffed by the best and brightest that the world has to offer. Combat, investigate, and defeat the alien threat. Train rookies into experienced xeno-hunting soldiers, interrogate captured prisoners, and develop weapons and armaments sufficiently powerful to bring the fight to them.
You will be fighting a difficult battle, Commander, a fight for the world’s very survival. You may not be able to afford to bring all your operatives back alive.
Good luck, commander.
The situation seems dire.
In response to these myriad threats, this Council of Nations has chosen to reactivate the long-dormant Extraterrestrial Combat Unit, otherwise known as the XCOM project. Take command of this secretive military organisation, equipped with the latest technology and staffed by the best and brightest that the world has to offer. Combat, investigate, and defeat the alien threat. Train rookies into experienced xeno-hunting soldiers, interrogate captured prisoners, and develop weapons and armaments sufficiently powerful to bring the fight to them.
You will be fighting a difficult battle, Commander, a fight for the world’s very survival. You may not be able to afford to bring all your operatives back alive.
Good luck, commander.
//RESTRICTED ZZ9_PLURAL_Z_ALPHA // CLEARANCE LEVEL SIX REQUIRED//
It is the year 2012. Fully-fledged turn-based strategy releases are limited to mind-meltingly complex European 4X games and precious little else. Beloved franchises are resurrected from their graves and transformed into first-person shooters with nary a connection to their original forms, save the name. Even the challenging difficulty of many videogames has been toned down from their ancestral baselines.
The situation seems dire.
In response to these myriad threats, famed developer Firaxis has chosen to reimage and remake the classic 1994 PC strategy game UFO: Enemy Unknown, otherwise known as X-Com: UFO Defence in North America, to produce the modern title XCOM: Enemy Unknown. Besides updated audio-visual flair, XCOM also features a host of minor and major modifications to the original’s systems, most notably a one-on-one multiplayer mode and a more explicit cover and class specialisation system.
Despite these changes, all preview coverage thus far seems to indicate that XCOM is a faithful, and more importantly, fun remake of the original X-Com formula. One in which it remains unlikely that you will be bringing back all of your men alive.
Good luck, Commander.
The situation seems dire.
In response to these myriad threats, famed developer Firaxis has chosen to reimage and remake the classic 1994 PC strategy game UFO: Enemy Unknown, otherwise known as X-Com: UFO Defence in North America, to produce the modern title XCOM: Enemy Unknown. Besides updated audio-visual flair, XCOM also features a host of minor and major modifications to the original’s systems, most notably a one-on-one multiplayer mode and a more explicit cover and class specialisation system.
Despite these changes, all preview coverage thus far seems to indicate that XCOM is a faithful, and more importantly, fun remake of the original X-Com formula. One in which it remains unlikely that you will be bringing back all of your men alive.
Good luck, Commander.
- ELITE SOLDIER PACK: Every purchase of launch copies of XCOM: Enemy Unknown, digital or retail, includes a free code to download the Elite Soldier Pack which contains cosmetic DLC focused on soldier customisation.
- STEAM: If enough people pre-order XCOM on Steam, all buyers will receive rewards at certain tiers. The Tier 1 reward is the aforementioned Elite Soldier Pack. Tier 2’s reward is three unique items for Valve’s war-themed hat simulator Team Fortress 2, the Crafty Haircut, the Area 451 Mask and the Vigilant Pin. Tier 3’s reward is a free giftable copy of Firaxis’ other hit game, Civilization V. Currently, all reward tiers have been unlocked.
- PC SPECIAL EDITION: Exclusive to retail boxed copies, this edition contains a fold-out poster, an artbook, an insignia patch, and various digital bonus items including desktop images, the soundtrack, and more.
Minimum Requirements:
OS: Vista| Processor: 2 GHz Dual Core | Memory: 2 GB RAM | HDD Space: 20GB | Video Memory: 256 MB | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT or ATi Radeon HD 2600 XT | Soundcard: DirectX Compatible
Recommended Requirements:
OS: Windows 7 | Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz or Athlon X2 2.7 GHz | Memory: 4 GB RAM | HDD Space: 20 GB | Video Memory: 512+ MB | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 9000 series or ATI Radeon HD 3000 series or greater | Soundcard: DirectX Compatible
OS: Vista| Processor: 2 GHz Dual Core | Memory: 2 GB RAM | HDD Space: 20GB | Video Memory: 256 MB | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT or ATi Radeon HD 2600 XT | Soundcard: DirectX Compatible
Recommended Requirements:
OS: Windows 7 | Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz or Athlon X2 2.7 GHz | Memory: 4 GB RAM | HDD Space: 20 GB | Video Memory: 512+ MB | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 9000 series or ATI Radeon HD 3000 series or greater | Soundcard: DirectX Compatible
TRAILERS | E3 2012 “Last Stand” Trailer | PAX 2012 “Casualties of War” Trailer | Deep Dive 1 Trailer | Deep Dive #2 Trailer | "Our Last Hope" Launch Trailer | Undercover Brother (Ft. Jake "The Shill" Solomon)
VIDEO | An Hour Of Developers On A Livestream (Ft. Jake “Plaid Shirt” Solomon) | PAX 2012 PC Interface Reveal | PAX 2012 “A Thousand Stupid Ideas On The Road To Glory” Developer Panel | GiantBomb Quick Look EX (Ft. Jake “Sofa” Solomon) | Gametrailers Downed UFO Mission (Ft. Jake "Short Sell" Solomon) | Destructoid Multiplayer Dev Battle (Ft. Jake "Not Actually Cheating" Solomon) | GameSpy Abduction Mission (Ft. Jake "Strategy Layer" Solomon) | Original Internal Pitch Video (ft. Jake "Thriller" Solomon) | GameSpot Now Playing (Ft. Jake "Late Arrival" Solomon) | 2K v Firaxis Multiplayer Match | GiantBomb Quick Look
AUDIO | Three Moves Ahead XCOM Episode (Ft. Jake "Prototype" Solomon)
WRITING | Polygon: Inside XCOM's Bold New Visuals | GameInformer: Exploring Difficulty in XCOM | Eurogamer: The Remaking of XCOM | Penny-Arcade Report: A Gamble on a Hardcore Genre
VIDEO | An Hour Of Developers On A Livestream (Ft. Jake “Plaid Shirt” Solomon) | PAX 2012 PC Interface Reveal | PAX 2012 “A Thousand Stupid Ideas On The Road To Glory” Developer Panel | GiantBomb Quick Look EX (Ft. Jake “Sofa” Solomon) | Gametrailers Downed UFO Mission (Ft. Jake "Short Sell" Solomon) | Destructoid Multiplayer Dev Battle (Ft. Jake "Not Actually Cheating" Solomon) | GameSpy Abduction Mission (Ft. Jake "Strategy Layer" Solomon) | Original Internal Pitch Video (ft. Jake "Thriller" Solomon) | GameSpot Now Playing (Ft. Jake "Late Arrival" Solomon) | 2K v Firaxis Multiplayer Match | GiantBomb Quick Look
AUDIO | Three Moves Ahead XCOM Episode (Ft. Jake "Prototype" Solomon)
WRITING | Polygon: Inside XCOM's Bold New Visuals | GameInformer: Exploring Difficulty in XCOM | Eurogamer: The Remaking of XCOM | Penny-Arcade Report: A Gamble on a Hardcore Genre
RockPaperShotgun - Words/10
Kotaku - YES/10
1UP - A
GodIsAGeek - 10/10
Gamespy - 5/5
GameRanx - 5/5
GameInformer - 9.5/10
Gaming Nexus - 9.5/10
CVG - 9.2/10
Machinima - 9/10
Joystiq - 4.5/5
Edge - 9/10
GamesRadar - 4.5/5
The Escapist - 4 and a half/5
Eurogamer - 9/10
StrategyInformer - 9/10
Destructoid - 9/10
LazyGamer - 9/10
Official Playstation Magazine - 9/10
GamesTM - 9/10
Videogamer - 9/10
PC Gamer - 87/100
Polygon - 8.5/10
Gamer.NL - 8.5/10
Kotaku - YES/10
1UP - A
GodIsAGeek - 10/10
Gamespy - 5/5
GameRanx - 5/5
GameInformer - 9.5/10
Gaming Nexus - 9.5/10
CVG - 9.2/10
Machinima - 9/10
Joystiq - 4.5/5
Edge - 9/10
GamesRadar - 4.5/5
The Escapist - 4 and a half/5
Eurogamer - 9/10
StrategyInformer - 9/10
Destructoid - 9/10
LazyGamer - 9/10
Official Playstation Magazine - 9/10
GamesTM - 9/10
Videogamer - 9/10
PC Gamer - 87/100
Polygon - 8.5/10
Gamer.NL - 8.5/10
Wait, isn’t this an FPS/TPS that 2K Marin have been making forever now?
The 1960s XCOM project, conducted in conjunction with the FBI, is a separate program, largely unrelated to the Enemy Unknown project, and has been delayed until 2013.
Isn’t this just simplified, dumbed-down, consolised trash for babbys?
Please stay logged in on this IP address. Operatives have been dispatched to your known location for threat assessment and re-education purposes.
This sounds cool, but I don’t know if I’ll like it.
Demonstration simulation programs are now available on the Steam software delivery platform for potential commanders to practice operations control and to determine if they feel suited to the position. It may be found [here]. Estimated download size is approximately 5 gigabytes.
Oh my god, I just did some crazy research and I found out that the aliens-
Casual dissemination of high-priority classified information is strictly prohibited within the confines of this discussion thread. Please mark discussion of classified topics as ‘spoilers’ with the helpful ‘spoiler tags’ included in your NeoGAF forum software. Although operatives traditionally follow the formal identification procedure of “You’ll know it when you see it”, be aware that untagged narrative- and backstory-based information in particular are impermissible at the present time.
What difficulty level should I play at?
For experienced users, command recommends Classic level difficulty; however, all difficulty levels are valid. "Ironman" mode is also highly recommended for those aiming to prepare more thoroughly for real life combat situations.
Why did I miss that motherfucking terrifying chryssalid when I had a 99% Chance to hit?
That’s XCOM, baby!
The 1960s XCOM project, conducted in conjunction with the FBI, is a separate program, largely unrelated to the Enemy Unknown project, and has been delayed until 2013.
Isn’t this just simplified, dumbed-down, consolised trash for babbys?
Please stay logged in on this IP address. Operatives have been dispatched to your known location for threat assessment and re-education purposes.
This sounds cool, but I don’t know if I’ll like it.
Demonstration simulation programs are now available on the Steam software delivery platform for potential commanders to practice operations control and to determine if they feel suited to the position. It may be found [here]. Estimated download size is approximately 5 gigabytes.
Oh my god, I just did some crazy research and I found out that the aliens-
Casual dissemination of high-priority classified information is strictly prohibited within the confines of this discussion thread. Please mark discussion of classified topics as ‘spoilers’ with the helpful ‘spoiler tags’ included in your NeoGAF forum software. Although operatives traditionally follow the formal identification procedure of “You’ll know it when you see it”, be aware that untagged narrative- and backstory-based information in particular are impermissible at the present time.
What difficulty level should I play at?
For experienced users, command recommends Classic level difficulty; however, all difficulty levels are valid. "Ironman" mode is also highly recommended for those aiming to prepare more thoroughly for real life combat situations.
Why did I miss that motherfucking terrifying chryssalid when I had a 99% Chance to hit?
That’s XCOM, baby!
- October 2nd 2012 – First contact. Thread created. Sound files added. Three Moves Ahead podcast archived. Articles added. Polygon article archived.
- October 3rd 2012 – Gamespy challenge video archived. Additional promo video archived. Initial pitch video archived. Gamespot video archived.
- October 4th 2012 – Launch trailer archived. 2K v Firaxis Multiplayer Video archived.
- October 5th 2012 – GAFCOM initiative activated.
- October 6th 2012 – Preloading activated on Steam and GMG. GameInformer Review Archived.
- October 7th 2012 – GameInformer article archived.
- October 8th 2012 – Machinima Review archived. Eurogamer article archived. Review Embargo lifted; Reviews archived as they come in. GiantBomb Quick Look archived.
- October 9th 2012 – Program activated in North America. Europe, rest of world in chaos.
- October 10th 2012 – Penny Arcade Report article archived.
- October 12th 2012 – XCOM Project Activated Worldwide. Casualties mounting.
>>access x://secure/general/documentation/mandatory_training_booklet.pdf
//TRANSMISSION TERMINATED
“VIGILO CONFIDO”
