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System Shock 2
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== History == === Development === [[Image:SS2 Concept.jpg|thumb|250px|alt=A green-cloaked man is staring from the right corner through black goggles to another deformed human being, who is close to a dead body of a woman laying on the floor along with several blood marks and some destroyed things.|Horror is a key focus of ''System Shock 2''. This [[concept art]] depicts the protagonist encountering an infected crewmember in the Recreation deck of the ''Von Braun''.]] Development of ''System Shock 2'' began in 1997 when [[Looking Glass Studios]] approached [[Irrational Games]] with an idea to co-develop a game.<ref name="GameSpot SS2 Retrospect"/> The development team were fans of ''[[System Shock]]'' and sought to create a similar game. Early story ideas were similar to the novella ''[[Heart of Darkness]]''. In an early draft, the player was tasked with assassinating an insane commander on a starship.<ref name="Next Gen">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/making-system-shock-2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820031129/http://www.edge-online.com/features/making-system-shock-2|archive-date=2012-08-20 |title=The making of... ''System Shock 2'' |author=''Edge'' Staff |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |publisher=Future Publishing Limited |location=[[United Kingdom]] |date=2007-10-07 |access-date=2008-02-15}}</ref> The original title, according to its pitch document, was ''Junction Point''. The philosophy of the design was to continue to develop the concept of a dungeon crawler, like ''[[Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss]]'', in a science fiction setting, the basis for ''System Shock''. However, the press mistook ''System Shock'' to be closer to a ''[[Doom (series)|Doom]]'' clone which was cited for its poor financial success. With ''Junction Point'', the goal was to add in significant role-playing elements and a persistent storyline as to distance the game from ''Doom''.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.sshock2.com/archive/jan99.htm | title = Valuable Information Salvaged - 1st Design Document | first = Dan | last = Todd | date = 1999-01-27 | access-date = 2013-06-25 | publisher = sshock2.com | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170711002220/http://www.sshock2.com/archive/jan99.htm | archive-date = 2017-07-11 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-02-14-system-shock-2-was-originally-known-as-junction-point | title = System Shock 2 was originally known as Junction Point | first = Robert | last = Purchase | date = 2013-02-14 | access-date = 2013-02-14 | publisher = [[Eurogamer]] | archive-date = 2013-02-16 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130216101836/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-02-14-system-shock-2-was-originally-known-as-junction-point | url-status = live }}</ref> The title took 18 months to create with a budget of $1.7 million.<ref name="Gamasutra SS2"/> It was pitched to several publishers until [[Electronic Arts]]—who owned the rights to the ''System Shock'' franchise—responded by suggesting the game become a sequel to ''System Shock''. The development team agreed; Electronic Arts became the publisher and story changes were made to incorporate the franchise.<ref name="Next Gen"/> The project was allotted one year to be completed and to compensate for the short time frame, the staff began working with Looking Glass Studio's unfinished [[Dark Engine]], the same engine used to create ''[[Thief: The Dark Project]]''.<ref name="Gamasutra SS2">{{cite news|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3406/postmortem_irrational_games_.php |title=Postmortem: Irrational Games' ''System Shock 2'' |author=Chey, Jonathan |work=[[Game Developer (magazine)|Game Developer]] |publisher=UBM TechWeb |location=United States |issue=November 1999 |access-date=2009-03-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080324222421/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3406/postmortem_irrational_games_.php |archive-date=2008-03-24 }}</ref> The designers included role-playing elements. Similar to ''[[Ultima Underworld]]'', another Looking Glass Studios project, the environment in ''System Shock 2'' is [[persistent world|persistent]] and constantly changes without the player's presence.<ref name="IGN Interview 1">{{cite news|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/02/10/looking-glass-prepares-to-shock-gamers-again|title=Looking Glass prepares to shock gamers again|author=IGN Staff|work=IGN|publisher=News Corporation|location=United States|date=1999-02-09|access-date=2008-02-15|archive-date=2015-07-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710154035/http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/02/10/looking-glass-prepares-to-shock-gamers-again|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="SS2 Manual Designer Notes 2">{{cite book|title=System Shock 2 instruction manual |publisher=Electronic Arts|date=1999-08-11|page=40}}</ref> [[Paper-and-pencil game|Paper-and-pencil]] [[role-playing game]]s were influential; the character customization system was based on ''[[Traveller (role-playing game)|Traveller]]''{{'}}s methodology and was implemented in the fictional military branches which,<ref name="IGN Interview 1"/> by allowing multiple character paths, the player could receive a more open-ended gameplay experience.<ref name="IGN Interview">{{cite news|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/06/19/system-shock-2-interview-2|title=System Shock 2 interview 2|author=IGN Staff|work=IGN|publisher=News Corporation|location=United States|date=1999-06-18|access-date=2008-02-16|archive-date=2012-11-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106095341/http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/06/19/system-shock-2-interview-2|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Horror and terror|Horror]] was a key focus and four major points were identified to successfully incorporate it. Isolation was deemed primary, which resulted in the player having little physical contact with other sentient beings. Secondly, a vulnerability was created by focusing on a fragile character. Last were the inclusion of moody sound effects and "the intelligent placement of lighting and shadows".<ref name="GameSpot retrospective SS2"/> The game's lead designer, Ken Levine, oversaw the return of ''System Shock'' villain SHODAN. Part of Levine's design was to ally the player with her.<ref name="Next Gen"/> Levine sought to challenge the player by having SHODAN betray the player: "Sometimes characters are betrayed, but the ''player'' never is. I wanted to violate that trust and make the player feel that ''they'', and not [only] the character, were led on and deceived". This design choice was controversial with the development team.<ref name="GameSpot Greatest Game"/> Several problems were encountered during the project. Because the team comprised two software companies, tension emerged regarding job assignments and some developers left the project. Additionally, many employees were largely inexperienced, but in retrospect project manager Jonathan Chey felt this was advantageous, stating "inexperience also bred enthusiasm and commitment that might not have been present with a more jaded set of developers."<ref name="Gamasutra SS2"/> The Dark Engine posed problems of its own. It was unfinished, forcing the programmers to fix [[software bug]]s when encountered. In contrast, working closely with the [[source code|engine code]] allowed them to write additional features.<ref name="Gamasutra SS2"/> Not all setbacks were localized; a demonstration build at [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3]] was hindered when it was requested all guns be removed from the presentation due to then-recent [[Columbine High School massacre]].<ref name="GameSpot retrospective SS2">{{cite news|url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/system-shock-2-retrospective-6109881/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016162134/http://www.gamespot.com/features/system-shock-2-retrospective-6109881/|archive-date=2012-10-16|title=''System Shock 2'' retrospective|author=Park, Andrew|work=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive, Inc.|location=United States|access-date=2008-02-19}}</ref> === Release === A [[Game demo|demo]] for the game, featuring a tutorial and a third of the first mission, was released on August 2, 1999.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/03/system-shock-2-demo-released|title=''System Shock 2'' demo released|author=IGN Staff|work=IGN|publisher=News Corporation|location=United States|date=1999-08-02|access-date=2008-02-16|archive-date=2015-07-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708204906/http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/03/system-shock-2-demo-released|url-status=live}}</ref> Nine days later, ''System Shock 2'' was shipped to retailers in North America.<ref name="NARelease"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/12/news-briefs-231|title=News briefs|author=IGN Staff|work=IGN|publisher=News Corporation|location=United States|date=1999-08-11|access-date=2008-02-16|archive-date=2015-07-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709022257/http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/12/news-briefs-231|url-status=live}}</ref> The game was made available in the United Kingdom one month later on September 18.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 1999 |title=Your Most Wanted |url=https://archive.org/details/PC_Zone_79_August_1999/page/n35/mode/2up?q=%22system+shock%22 |access-date=June 18, 2024 |work=[[PC Zone]] |pages=35 |issue=79 |quote=''System Shock 2'' (EA) -- Aug}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Games Of 1999 ~ Europe |url=http://www.gonegold.com/golden/eurogold99.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010210220535/http://www.gonegold.com/golden/eurogold99.shtml |archive-date=February 10, 2001 |access-date=June 18, 2024 |website=Gone Gold}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=September 1999 |title=''System Shock 2'' |url=https://archive.org/details/PC_Zone_80_September_1999/page/n61/mode/2up?q=system+shock |access-date=June 18, 2024 |work=[[PC Zone]] |pages=62 |issue=80}}</ref> An enhancement [[Patch (computing)|patch]] was released a month later and added significant features, such as [[Cooperative video game|co-operative multiplayer]] and control over weapon degradation and enemy [[Spawning (computer gaming)|respawn]] rates.<ref name="ss2 patch">{{cite news|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/09/18/shock-2-20|title=''Shock 2'' 2.0|author=IGN Staff|work=IGN|publisher=News Corporation|location=United States|date=1999-09-17|access-date=2008-02-16|archive-date=2012-10-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025152033/http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/09/18/shock-2-20|url-status=live}}</ref> A port was planned for the [[Dreamcast]] but was canceled.<ref name="Rock paper Shotgun"/> === End-of-support === Around 2000, with the [[End-of-life (product)|end-of-support]] for the game by the developer and publisher, remaining bugs and [[Software incompatibility|compatibility]] with newer [[operating system]]s and hardware became a growing problem. To compensate the missing support, some fans of the game became active in the [[Mod (computer gaming)|modding]] community to update the game. For instance, the "Rebirth" graphical enhancement [[Video game modding|mod]] replaced many [[Low poly|low-polygonal]] [[3D modeling|models]] with higher quality ones,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=52239|title=''System Shock 2'' reborn |author=Bramwell, Tom|publisher=[[Eurogamer]] |date=2003-06-05 |access-date=2008-04-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518131911/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/news050603ss2rebirth |archive-date=2011-05-18}}</ref> a "Shock Texture Upgrade Project" increased the [[image resolution|resolution]] of [[Texture mapping|textures]],<ref name="GameSpot Greatest Game"/> and an updated [[level editor]] was released by the [[user community]].<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=16567 | title = It's shocking! A ''System Shock 2'' level editor | author = ''CVG'' staff | work = [[Computer and Video Games]] | publisher= Future Gaming Limited | location= United Kingdom | date = 2001-01-27 | access-date = 2009-03-16 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070309190431/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=16567 |archive-date = 2007-03-09}}</ref> === Intellectual property debacle and re-release === The [[intellectual property]] (IP) rights of ''System Shock 2'' were caught for years in complications between Electronic Arts and Meadowbrook Insurance Group (the parent company of Star Insurance Company), the entity that acquired the assets of Looking Glass Studios on their closure;<ref name="Tlhoss">{{cite web | url = http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/713030/the-lost-history-of-system-shock/ | title = The Lost History of System Shock | publisher = [[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4TV]] | date = 2011-06-30 | access-date = 2013-02-17 | first = Jared | last = Newman | archive-date = 2016-07-13 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160713204906/http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/713030/the-lost-history-of-system-shock | url-status = dead }}</ref> however, according to a lawyer for Star Insurance, they have since acquired the lingering intellectual property rights from EA.<ref>{{cite magazine | url = https://techland.time.com/2013/02/13/13-years-later-system-shock-2-lives-again/ | title = Thirteen Years Later, System Shock 2 Lives Again | date = 2013-02-13 | access-date = 2013-02-17 | first = Jared | last = Newman | magazine = [[Time (magazine)|Time]] }}</ref> In the player community, attempts had been made to update and patch ''System Shock 2'' for known issues on newer operating systems and limitations that had been hard-coded into the game. In 2009, a complete copy of ''System Shock 2''{{'}}s [[Dark Engine]] [[source code]] was discovered in the possession of an ex-Looking Glass Studios employee who was at the time continuing his work for [[Eidos Interactive]].<ref name="Rock paper Shotgun">{{cite web |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/12/14/shipping-receiving-dark-engine-source/ |title=Dark Engine Source Code Found In A Bag |first=Quintin |last=Smith |date=2010-12-14 |access-date=2011-04-15 |work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun |archive-date=2012-07-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120710064954/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/12/14/shipping-receiving-dark-engine-source/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In late April 2010, a user on the Dreamcast Talk forum disassembled the contents of a [[Dreamcast]] [[Game development kit|development kit]] he had purchased, and among the content he received was some of the source code for Looking Glass games, including ''System Shock''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geek.com/games/game-engine-used-for-thiefsystem-shock-2-found-with-dreamcast-dev-kit-1300148/ |title=Game engine used for Thief/System Shock 2 found with Dreamcast dev kit |first=Matthew |last=Humphries |date=2010-12-14 |publisher=[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]] |access-date=2015-07-04 |archive-date=2017-09-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913232626/https://www.geek.com/games/game-engine-used-for-thiefsystem-shock-2-found-with-dreamcast-dev-kit-1300148/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="rps aug2019">{{cite web | url = https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2019/08/12/no-one-knows-who-is-patching-system-shock-2/ | title = No one knows who is patching System Shock 2 | first = Craig | last = Pearson | date = August 12, 2019 | access-date = August 12, 2019 | work = [[Rock Paper Shotgun]] | archive-date = August 28, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190828005548/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2019/08/12/no-one-knows-who-is-patching-system-shock-2/ | url-status = live }}</ref> An unknown user, going only as "Le Corbeau" (The Raven), issued a patch for ''System Shock 2'' and ''Thief 2'' in 2012 that resolved several of the known issue with the Dark engine and other features. It is believed that the patches were enabled by the Dreamcast kit, using a combination of the available source code and by disassembling libraries off the development kit. The patch became known informally as the "NewDark" patch to distinguish it from other efforts to improve the game.<ref name="rps aug2019"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Plunkett|first=Luke|url=http://kotaku.com/5946462/whoah-system-shock-2-and-thief-2-just-got-surprise-patches|title=Whoah, ''System Shock 2'' and ''Thief 2'' Just got Surprise Patches|work=[[Kotaku]]|date=2012-09-25|access-date=2016-08-09|archive-date=2016-08-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814040009/http://kotaku.com/5946462/whoah-system-shock-2-and-thief-2-just-got-surprise-patches|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/02/07/thief-2-is-now-on-good-old-games/ |title=Thief 2 Is Now On Good Old Games |publisher=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]] |first=Craig |last=Pearson |date=2012-02-07 |access-date=2012-11-10 |archive-date=2012-11-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111190221/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/02/07/thief-2-is-now-on-good-old-games/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At about the same time, Stephen Kick of [[Nightdive Studios]] had been seeking to rerelease ''System Shock 2'' on Windows, and Star Insurance provided him with the rights to do so.<ref name="rps aug2019"/><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE97vZLC_fA |title=The Struggles Behind Bringing Back System Shock {{!}} Noclip |date=2020-07-21 |last=Noclip |access-date=2025-03-21 |via=YouTube}}</ref> Shortly after getting this approval, the NewDark patch had been released, and Kick attempted to contact "Le Corbeau" to discuss the use of their patch, but the user was impossible to contact.<ref name="rps aug2019"/> Kick decided to approach [[GOG.com]] for a timed-exclusive release on their [[digital distribution]] website in February 2013, where the game was the most requested to be added to the catalog. This version, considered by GOG.com to be a "[[collector's edition]]", included the "Le Corbeau" NewDark patch.<ref name="fc nightdive"/><ref name="rps aug2019"/> In addition, the updates allow user-made modifications to be applied more seamlessly. The release also contains additional material such as the game's soundtrack, maps of the Von Braun, and the original pitch document for the game.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/02/13/many-questions-system-shock-2-comes-to-gog/ | title = Many Questions: System Shock 2 Comes To GOG | first = Adam | last = Smith | date = 2013-02-13 | access-date = 2013-02-13 | publisher = [[Rock Paper Shotgun]] | archive-date = 2013-02-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130215050818/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/02/13/many-questions-system-shock-2-comes-to-gog/ | url-status = live }}</ref> The update rights also allowed a Mac OS X version of ''System Shock 2'' to be subsequently released on June 18, 2013, through GOG.com.<ref>{{cite web|last=Nunneley|first=Stephany|url=https://www.vg247.com/2013/06/18/gog-kicks-off-2013-nodrm-summer-sale-with-torchlight-for-free/|title=GoG kicks off 2013 noDRM Summer Sale with Torchlight for free|publisher=[[VG247]]|date=2013-06-18|access-date=2016-08-09|archive-date=2016-09-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921220137/https://www.vg247.com/2013/06/18/gog-kicks-off-2013-nodrm-summer-sale-with-torchlight-for-free/|url-status=live}}</ref> The title became available on [[Steam (service)|Steam]] on May 10, 2013.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.pcgamer.com/system-shock-2-arrives-on-steam/ | title = System Shock 2 arrives on Steam | first = Patrick | last = Carlson | date = 2013-05-10 | access-date = 2013-05-17 | work = [[PC Gamer]] | archive-date = 2014-12-17 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141217225116/http://www.pcgamer.com/system-shock-2-arrives-on-steam/ | url-status = live }}</ref> In April 2014, a [[Linux]] version was also released.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pearson|first=Craig|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/04/10/system-shock-2-linux/|title=Sudo Shock: System Shock 2 Now On Linux|work=[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]]|date=2014-04-10|access-date=2016-08-09|archive-date=2016-10-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001184112/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/04/10/system-shock-2-linux/|url-status=live}}</ref> Both the OS X and Linux versions run through [[Wine (software)|Wine]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=System Shock® 2 (Classic) on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/agecheck/app/238210/ |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref> "Le Corbeau" has continued to update the game since 2012, with their patches being incorporated into the versions that Nightdive distributes through GOG.com and Steam.<ref name="kotaku aug2019">{{cite web | url = https://kotaku.com/system-shock-2-has-been-getting-new-patches-for-years-1837180538 | title = System Shock 2 Has Been Getting New Patches For Years, Based On The Work Of A Fan Nobody Can Find | first = Nathan | last = Grayson | date = August 12, 2019 | access-date = August 12, 2019 | work = [[Kotaku]] | archive-date = August 12, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190812213745/https://kotaku.com/system-shock-2-has-been-getting-new-patches-for-years-1837180538 | url-status = live }}</ref> Since then, Nightdive has acquired the rights to ''System Shock'', releasing an enhanced version in September 2015. Kick has reported they have acquired full rights to the series since then.<ref name="fc nightdive">{{cite web | url = https://www.fastcompany.com/3053050/app-economy/how-one-company-is-bringing-old-video-games-back-from-the-dead | title = How One Company is Bringing Old Video Games Back from the Dead | first = Jared | last = Newman | work = [[Fast Company (magazine)|Fast Company]] | date = 2015-11-12 | access-date = 2015-11-12 | archive-date = 2016-07-04 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160704020716/http://www.fastcompany.com/3053050/app-economy/how-one-company-is-bringing-old-video-games-back-from-the-dead | url-status = live }}</ref>
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