XCOM 2 Announced, Exclusive on PC

2K and Firaxis have announced XCOM 2, a sequel to their own 2012’s XCOM: Enemy Unknown. The title will be released this November on PC, Mac and Linux but not on consoles, and will feature the return of procedurally generated maps and more robust modding support, in addition to five new soldier classes, increased customization and more enemy types. Apparently the tables have now been turned, and with humanity under the control of the aliens, it’s now up to the XCOM organization to invade and fight the good fight with guerrilla tactics from a mobile base.

Here’s the full press release:

Sequel to critically-acclaimed XCOM: Enemy Unknown introduces a new world order where aliens rule Earth and XCOM must fight to save humanity

Join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #XCOM2

New York, NY June 1, 2015 2K and Firaxis Games today announced that XCOM® 2, the sequel to the Game of the Year* award-winning strategy title XCOM®: Enemy Unknown, is currently in development for Windows-based PC. Developed by Firaxis Games, XCOM 2 transports players 20 years into the future, where humanity lost the war against the alien threat that has established a new world order. The secret paramilitary organization known as XCOM is largely forgotten, and must strike back to reclaim control of Earth and free mankind from the aliens’ rule. XCOM 2 is currently scheduled for release in November 2015. The game will also be coming to Mac and Linux via Feral Interactive.

In XCOM 2, the roles have been reversed, and XCOM is now the invading force. They are hampered by limited resources and must constantly evade the alien threat in their new mobile headquarters. Players must use a combination of firepower and stealth-like tactics to help XCOM recruit soldiers and build a resistance network, while attempting to expose the evil alien agenda and save humanity. XCOM 2 will introduce gameplay features such as procedurally-generated levels, which will make each experience unique to the player, as well as offer a much deeper level of modding support. Additionally, XCOM 2 will offer a variety of new content including five updated soldier classes, increased soldier customization, more alien and enemy types, evolved tactical combat and more.

(Firaxis proved they could reimagine a beloved franchise with XCOM: Enemy Unknown, a Game of the Year award-winning title,) said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. (With XCOM 2, the team is breathing new life into the series by adding an epic narrative and challenging players to overcome near impossible odds.)

(The feedback from the passionate XCOM community played an important role in the development of XCOM 2, driving us to push the visual, gameplay and replayability boundaries of what a strategy game can be,) said Jake Solomon, creative director of XCOM 2 at Firaxis Games. (We’re thrilled to implement long-time fan requested features such as procedural levels and modding support, as well as adding more of what makes XCOM great like new aliens, enemies and soldier classes.)

For more information about XCOM 2, visit IGN.com, where the game is featured as the IGN First title for the month of June. In the coming weeks, IGN will reveal exclusive details about XCOM 2, including gameplay impressions, in-depth analysis of alien and enemy types, new soldier classes and combat tactics, story-focused insights and more.

XCOM 2 will be available for PC and is currently scheduled for release in November 2015. XCOM 2 is not yet rated by the ESRB. For more information on XCOM 2, please visit www.XCOM.com, become a fan on Facebook, follow the game on Twitter using the hashtag #XCOM2 or subscribe to XCOM on YouTube.

IGN has the announcement CGI trailer (update: so do we) and, apparently, some exclusive monthly coverage to come:

Over the next month IGN will reveal huge details about XCOM 2, uncovered during our visit to Firaxis’ Maryland studio. Tomorrow you’ll get an in-depth overview and interview with Creative Director Jake Solomon that’ll highlight the major new features, including new soldier classes, new aliens, stealth-infused tactics, procedurally generated maps, and more. Following that, we’ll have a Rewind Theater examination of all the details in today’s trailer reveal with Solomon and Lead Producer Garth DeAngelis.

And, later this week we’ll go in-depth with Solomon and DeAngelis on the reasons behind the bold move to take XCOM from a multiplatform series to a PC exclusive, and how XCOM 2 will be tailored to take advantage of that single platform’s strengths followed by Firaxis’ exciting plans to support modders and their work.

While XCOM is different from the original in terms of design focus and philosophy, I greatly enjoyed it, and I am very pleased to hear that a sequel is coming our way. I just wish it wasn’t coming quite so soon, given that I have barely dipped my toes into the expansion.