27 Sep, 2011
When EA announced a new Syndicate title a few weeks ago, I was rather dismayed to learn the long-awaited follow-up to the classic PC isometric real-time title would be a first-person shooter. I had pretty much written off Syndicate as just another EA cash-in.
James Gannon, executive producer of the new Syndicate title, explained why the choice was made to retool Syndicate as a first-person shooter:
We set out to recreate Syndicate for today’s gamers and gaming platforms. [The original] Syndicate was a classic of it’s time and we’ve take all the elements that made it a classic; the world, agents, weaponry, brutality, chips, and created an awesome future world first person shooter with strong action adventure elements. Furthermore, the 4 player co-op mode pretty much puts you in the shoes of one of the four agents of the original.
So, this non-answer pretty much confirms what we already know. EA knows that FPS’s typically sell better than some kind of remade niche strategy title and went with the choice that could make the most money. Which is fine, I suppose, but are they right?
The success of retro-styled niche titles on platforms like Steam and XBLA has actually been pretty solid. SPAZ (Space Pirates And Zombies), Terraria, and Magicka have all been featured or top sellers at various times, recently. If EA had put together a true successor to Syndicate, priced it at $15-$20 and threw it on Steam, XBLA, and Origin, I suspect they’d have a pretty good chance of getting a decent return on investment, especially compared to the exorbitant development costs for a AAA first-person shooter. Peter Molyneux would be ready and rearin’ to go. Why not, EA?
I think the problem is more that Syndicate was a product of its time. I loved the game and finished both it and the American Revolt expansion. However, I do not think it would translate for today’s gamer. Look at what they tried with Syndicate Wars as a sequel. It kept the elements of the original, including the strategy element and the isometric perspective and it was a terrible game.
Believe me, I would rather see Syndicate go to Good Old Games and I will pick it up there for $5.99, but this new one is leaving me on the fence. About the only thing keeping me interested is Starbreeze. They are known for making gritty, pull no punch type of games.
If they can capture that bleak, dystopian future and of course, bring back the Pesuadertron, I am going to at least give it a shot.