XCOM Gets a Makeover

2K Marin’s “XCOM” might be getting yet another makeover according to a report sent to gaming blog Kotaku last week.

According to a survey allegedly sent out by the game’s publisher, 2K, the game is still “being developed by the same people who created BioShock 2,” which is, of course, 2K Marin. However, the game may have seen a change in perspective -- literally.

The survey was supposedly meant to gauge interest in the often delayed game and how fans would react to some new changes, the biggest change being a shift in genre and perspective from that of a first-person shooter to a squad-based third-person shooter with computer allies “which you can order around the map to perform various actions.”

Also included in the survey was a mention of the shooter possibly shifting from a full retail title to a $30 downloadable game. Another example of a game that went through a similar shift was Ubisoft’s much-maligned “I Am Alive,” which was released earlier this year.

The development of 2K Marin’s “XCOM” has clearly been a troubled one.

Originally announced in 2010, “XCOM” was meant to be a reimagining of the classic 90s strategy franchise. The game was met with less enthusiasm than expected, as fans argued that the shift from the strategy genre to shooting was a “dumbing down” of the franchise. However, as time went by and more of the game was revealed to press and the public opinion began to swing in the game’s favor. That didn’t stop it from receiving multiple delays, until finally being slotted for sometime in the fiscal year of 2014 (which is, in layman’s terms, anytime between spring of next year to the end of winter).

In the midst of the game’s many delays, another game called “XCOM: Enemy Unknown” was announced to be in development from Firaxis, the makers of the “Civilization” franchise. “Enemy Unknown” is a much more faithful adaptation of the original games, focusing on turn-based tactical strategy rather than action. In fact, the game is practically a shot-for-shot remake of the first game in the franchise, “X-COM: UFO Defense,” featuring almost every aspect from that original game.

Despite being announced long after 2K Marin’s game, “Enemy Unknown” is set for release next Tuesday, far ahead of the expected release of its counterpart. This helps to illustrate just how long we’ve been waiting on “XCOM.”

Should it ever actually be released, “XCOM” will focus on the actions of a team of FBI agents in the 1950s as they band together to stop a “mysterious threat.” That mysterious threat is probably aliens, considering that’s what the entire franchise has been about since its inception.

Several publications, including Kotaku and IGN, have already reached out to 2K for confirmation as to the authenticity of the survey, so we’ll likely know pretty soon whether these rumors are accurate. It’s worth noting, however, that these sorts of survey leaks are quite common in the game industry and have been responsible for early, accurate information in the past.