System Shock 2

[khyron]

System Shock 2 has been deemed 'abandonware' (The company that produced it can no longer make money from the sale of the game, and the game is now available for free distribution) and is now available for free off of the internet by visiting :

mod edit - removed the link -nem

Just do a title search for 'system'.

Now, for those who have not played it :

System Shock 2 is a sci-fi horror FPS game. The graphics are a bit dated, but the gameplay is solid and fun.

The gameplay reminds me more of Deus Ex than anything else. You have an inventory like Diablo / Deus Ex, you have skills and stats which you need to improve as you go along (Hacking computers, Repairing / Modifying weapons, etc).

One rather nice feature I personally think is cool, is the research system. If you kill a hybrid enemy, for example, sometimes you may find a pulpy organ. If you research it, you gain information about the enemy, and more interestingly, gain a damage bonus when fighting that enemy in the future (Since now you know where to hit to do the most damage). Sometimes researching requires specific chemicals or elements which you'll find as you progress. I enjoy it :)

One bit of warning. If you dislike scary or creepy games, do NOT play this game in the dark with the sounds turned up. If you do like them... you will love this game :D

Khyron- pm me a link to where EA (publisher and owner of system shock 2 now that looking glass is gone) says it's abandonware and availible for free distro. If EA says it's free for everyone, then linking to that site is fine, otherwise this is gonna be treated just like linking to roms or whatever else. - Nem

[Catila Amano]

*looks up at the System Shock 2 box on the bookshelf and wonders who deemed it 'abandonware' and sighs*

[EvilIguana966]

It's abandonware because looking glass dissolved, and because its not even worth the space to sell it moneywise. It WAS a very good game, albeit very hard in some places, and graphically behind the curve even when released. Oh and the reason it was like Deus Ex is because they were designed by the same person, and made by much of the same team.

I'd go so far to say that its more RPG than action. The stats, the careful choosing of items, the limited ammo available (SAVE your ammo!), the conversation and plot twists etc. Combat and movement was action oriented, but the rest was pure rpg.

[Takara]

Just because a company dissolved does not an abandonware game make.

[Naryn]

Last time I checked it was still selling in the bargain bin as a Cd-Rom Classic or whatnot from EA.

They may not support it, but they are still selling it.


Just wish my computer's operating system was old enough to run it without crashing :( It is hands down one of the BEST games of all time.

[Serresrelic]

If I remember correctly, the company has to officially dissolve the sales of the game before it is considered abandonware. I believe they have to actually release an official notice saying so before it becomes legal to freely distribute or download.

But I haven't read up on that stuff in quite a long time so I'm not certain.

[Keiran]

How does that work if the company that owned the title is itself dissolved? Does the company's lineup of games become abandonware automatically?

[khyron]

I spoke with nem about this. The information I had said that EA UK mentioned that they no longer had the license for the title, but it's too vague, so I won't be able to release the link here. If anyone else can find some more specific info, I could release it (With nem's permission).

[Serresrelic]

Keiran, I'm not sure how it works in that case, but in some instances the company will sell or just give the publishing and distribution rights to another publisher, which is what it sounds like they did here. It sounds like EA is now responsible for the game. If that is the case, then I believe it wouldn't become abandonware until EA officially makes it so. But like I said, I'm not totally certain.