More Reviews
REVIEWS Resident Evil: Revelations Review
While 3DS gamers have been enjoying the franchise's best game in years for some time now, does the experience translate for Resident Evil fans on console?

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D Review
Gamers have gone bananas for Nintendo's 3DS, but can this port of Retro Studios' 2010 Wii game make the jump to your portable?
More Previews
PREVIEWS The Last of Us Preview
With Naughty Dog releasing a new IP in just a few short weeks, we got hands-on one more time. But don't worry: This is a spoiler-free preview.
The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot Preview
Watch Dogs (PS4) Preview
Release Dates
NEW RELEASES GRiD 2
Release date: 05/28/13

Fuse
Release date: 05/28/13

Remember Me
Release date: 06/04/13

The Last of Us
Release date: 06/14/13



LATEST FEATURES Being A Console Is Actually Xbox One's Worst Asset
Microsoft's newest console has lots of different features, but video games might hold the device back from the software giant's true intentions.

Everything I Learned About Call of Duty: Ghosts Last Week
I wasn't allowed to talk about the new Infinity Ward game last week when I met with Activision, and I don't have much to say now that Xbox One spilled the beans.
 
Coming Soon

More Cheats
LATEST CHEATS
Abyss: The Wraiths of Eden
Action
05/24/13
More Cheats
MOST POPULAR CHEATS
Temple Run
Action / Adventure
04/08/13

LEADERBOARD
Read More Member Blogs
FEATURED VOXPOP Bras
On the future of some gamers
By Bras
Posted on 05/22/13
Before Microsoft and Sony do something regarding their future in the video game business, I wanted to write, and I've wanted it for a long time now, but other things kept getting in my way, and fearing that tomorrow might be too late, today will have to do.   Months ago,...

Home News XCOM: Enemy Unknown Narrowly Avoided Disaster, Says Lead Designer

GAMING NEWS

XCOM: Enemy Unknown Narrowly Avoided Disaster, Says Lead Designer

Posted on Tuesday, January 29 @ 12:57:32 Eastern by Jonathan_Leack

If it ain't broke don't fix it. If it is broken, just throw it in the trash can.

Speaking to Edge, Firaxis Lead Designer Jake Solomon explained that the first attempt at making XCOM: Enemy Unknown in 2003 ended up a disaster. He said:

It was awful. It’s a good thing it never went ahead, because I was way too young, I had very little experience, and I just wasn’t in the right place to make that game. It really took a long time until it made sense for the team and for the company.

Firaxis ditched the project and immediately began working on Sid Meier's Civilization IV which was far from a disaster. It wasn't until nine years later that XCOM: Enemy Unknown would come to fruition, and similar to Civilization IV it was successful commercially and critically.

Not many games get the luxury of being moved to the side until a development team is ready to tackle its challenges. XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a rare example, and it's unsurprising that its unique style was difficult to execute upon. Think of it, there's little to reference for the development team since the genre is spread so thin, and there are few lessons to learn from other developers. It's miraculous that it came out as well as it did.
Related Games:   XCOM
Tags:   XCOM, Firaxis


More from the Game Revolution Network




Comments
  • Ranim
    Ranim
    Joined: Nov 2005
    Posted: Jan 29th, 2013 at 1:27 pm
    It doesn't really feel like an XCOM game to me.
    2 2
  • Lien
    Lien
    Joined: Feb 2008
    Posted: Jan 29th, 2013 at 3:17 pm
    True, it's not a X-com game. But hey, at least it's still a fun game. If ya can't remake a masterpiece, still make something fun out of your attempt.
    2 2
  • LawnGnome
    LawnGnome
    Joined: Apr 2007
    Posted: Jan 29th, 2013 at 6:04 pm
    Don't know what you guys mean. I thought it was very faithful to the original and improved on it in many ways.
    0 1
  • LawnGnome
    LawnGnome
    Joined: Apr 2007
    Posted: Jan 29th, 2013 at 2:42 pm
    Can't wait for a sequel.
    0 5
  • Lien
    Lien
    Joined: Feb 2008
    Posted: Jan 29th, 2013 at 3:17 pm
    Will it be set underwater?
    0 3
  • LawnGnome
    LawnGnome
    Joined: Apr 2007
    Posted: Jan 29th, 2013 at 6:02 pm
    I hope not. I still have nightmares about those 8-hour container ship missions.
    0 1
  • cyberjim2000
    cyberjim2000
    Joined: Feb 2010
    Posted: Jan 29th, 2013 at 10:41 pm
    Ughh... I remembered the research bug that if you don't research certain items in order then you won't be able to research the best armor in the game. Plus, the whole research tree for that game was FUBAR'D.
    0 1

Post a Comment
LOGIN or REGISTER to post a comment or rate this article.
More On GameRevolution
STAFF | CONTACT GR | ADVERTISING | GRADING SYSTEM | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF USE | AdChoices
GameRevolution.com is a property of CraveOnline Media, LLC, an Evolve Media, LLC company. ©2013 All Rights Reserved.
monitoring_string = "9825918b2b361fb0e003f4935ce18ae6"