2K Marin Reviving XCOM As Story-Driven FPS

2K Games is reviving classic alien invasion franchise XCOM via Bioshock 2 creator 2K Marin -- and reimagining it as a narrative-driven first-person shooter. The new XCOM is currently in development for Xbox 360 and PC, and 2K promises it blends the game's tactical-strategy core with a high-suspense story to create a "tense and unique" FPS. As with the original franchise launched by Microprose in 1994, the premise is humanity's struggle against an invading enemy, with the player in the shoes of an agent tasked with eliminating it. "With BioShock 2, the team at 2K Marin proved themselves as masters of first-person, suspenseful storytelling, and with XCOM they will re-imagine and expand the rich lore of this revered franchise," says 2K president Christoph Hartmann. The original games focused primarily on tactical gameplay. Hasbro purchased the franchise from Microprose following the release of the third installment, 1997's XCOM: Apocalypse, but sold the property to Atari when it closed its gaming business. Publisher Take-Two bought the rights from Atari in 2005, and rumors of an XCOM reboot have long been circulating since then. As noted in Take-Two's announcement, 2K Marin has a sister studio in Canberra, Australia, which is reported to be the location of much of the game's development to date.