Nightdive Studios
Nightdive Studios business and news from across the web.
System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster gets new Nintendo Switch 2 versionNightdive Studios and Atari have released a Nintendo Switch 2 version of System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster, which is also available on the original Nintendo Switch. This modernized remaster of the classic FPS/RPG survival horror game features high-resolution models, cross-play co-op multiplayer, and enhanced visuals for $29.99.
The design lead of Half-Life's biggest competitor says that its publisher was so 'pissed off' by the time the game launched that it didn't bother testing it properly: 'We got trashed in the press because of bugs'Robert M. Atkins, design lead for the 1998 first-person shooter Sin, revealed that its publisher Activision was upset with the developer Ritual Entertainment's formation of the Gathering of Developers publisher alliance. This strained relationship led to Activision allegedly not properly testing the game's gold master, resulting in significant bugs at launch that harmed its reception. The game also faced immense competition from Valve's Half-Life, which released shortly after.
"Let's finish it": After a 20-year wait, Nightdive would complete the SiN Episodes shooter series if its upcoming remaster is a successNightdive Studios is considering completing the unfinished SiN Episodes shooter series if its upcoming remaster, SiN Reloaded, proves successful. CEO Stephen Kick stated that if the remaster generates significant interest, the studio, which now owns the SiN franchise rights, would explore developing the remaining eight episodes based on original plans from developer Ritual Entertainment.
"We tried something different": Looking back on SiN Episodes: Emergence, the Valve-backed shooter that tried and failed to kick off an age of episodic gamingRitual Entertainment's 2006 sci-fi shooter SiN Episodes: Emergence, backed by Valve, aimed to pioneer episodic gaming but ultimately failed to launch a new era due to financial and development challenges. Despite its ambition and innovative features like adaptive difficulty, the game's short runtime and the studio's financial struggles led to the cancellation of future episodes and the eventual sale of Ritual Entertainment. The article reflects on the game's legacy and the difficulties faced by developers attempting new distribution models in the mid-2000s.- Knowledge and Wisdom: Larry 'Nightdive' Kuperman reflects on a career in gamesVeteran game developer Larry Kuperman, associated with Nightdive Studios, reflects on his extensive career in the gaming industry. The interview covers his childhood, career journey, and personal life, offering a comprehensive look back at his contributions.
Atari acquires the rights to the classic Legendary Wizardry RPGs 1-5Atari has acquired the rights to the first five classic Wizardry role-playing games from Robert Woodhead and Andrew Greenberg. The company plans to republish, remaster, and create new releases, collections, and console ports for these influential titles. Notably, Wizardry 6, 7, and 8 remain under Drecom's ownership.
The 30 Best Video Game RemakesThis article ranks the 30 best video game remakes, distinguishing them from remasters by their comprehensive rebuilding of original titles. It highlights how remakes blend nostalgia with modern sensibilities to appeal to both veteran and new players, showcasing examples from various developers like Square Enix, Capcom, and Nintendo across multiple platforms.
The 15 best sci-fi survival horror video games you can play right nowThis article lists and describes 15 of the best sci-fi survival horror video games available now on PC and consoles. The list includes titles like Alien: Isolation, System Shock 1 & 2, Dead Space, and Resident Evil 2, highlighting their unique atmospheres and gameplay mechanics.
Nightdive deletes social posts for System Shock 2 anniversary for Nintendo Switch 2Nightdive Studios has deleted social media posts announcing the upcoming Nintendo Switch release of System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster. The reason for the removal is unclear, but speculation suggests potential issues with porting the game to Nintendo's latest platform. The studio is also known for its work on other remasters and a new sci-fi remake using Unreal Engine 5.- Blood: Fresh Supply Coming to Nintendo Switch 2 This May, Bringing Back the Classic Horror FPS; New TrailerNightdive Studios announced that Blood: Fresh Supply will be released on Nintendo Switch on May 7. This remaster of the 1997 cult classic first-person shooter features updated support for modern hardware and includes the Plasma Pak and Cryptic Passage expansions. The game is also available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PC.
Atari acquires emulation studio Implicit ConversionsAtari has acquired emulation studio Implicit Conversions, which specializes in porting classic games to modern platforms using proprietary technology. Implicit Conversions has previously worked with Atari on titles like Mortal Kombat: Legacy Collection and Rayman. This acquisition, following previous purchases of Digital Eclipse and Nightdive Studios, strengthens Atari's capabilities in retro game preservation and emulation.
Atari acquires emulation studio Implicit ConversionsAtari has acquired emulation specialist Implicit Conversions and its proprietary Syrup engine, which is capable of bringing 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit games to modern consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. This acquisition aims to strengthen Atari's position in the retro market and enhance its game preservation capabilities.- Evening InterviewsNightdive Studios discusses their approach to remaking cutscenes from scratch for the game Blood. The interview delves into the technical and creative challenges involved in modernizing assets for the classic title.
The Dev Behind Many Classic Games on PS5 and PS Plus Just Got Bought By AtariAtari has acquired Implicit Conversions, a studio known for bringing classic retro games to modern platforms like the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 for PS Plus Premium. This move strengthens Atari's position in the emulation and retro gaming market, adding to its portfolio which already includes Digital Eclipse and Nightdive Studios.- PS Plus Retro Games Studio Snapped Up by AtariAtari has acquired Implicit Conversions, a studio known for bringing classic games to modern platforms like PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 for PS Plus Premium. This move strengthens Atari's position in retro gaming and emulation, joining other studios like Digital Eclipse and Nightdive Studios under its umbrella.
The classic Terra Nova: Strike Force Centauri from 1996 has a surprise update from Nightdive StudiosNightdive Studios has released a surprise update for the 1996 classic Terra Nova: Strike Force Centauri, originally developed by Looking Glass Studios. The update includes a new all-in-one launcher, replaces DOSBox with DOSBox Staging, adds cloud save support, and ensures compatibility with macOS Intel and Apple Silicon. This update aims to bring the game up to modern standards without a full remake.
15 more Disney games delisted from Steam, including the original Star Wars: Dark Forces and 1997's OutlawsFifteen additional Disney-branded games, including Star Wars: Dark Forces and Outlaws, have been delisted from Steam. This follows a previous delisting of 14 titles three months prior. The reasons for the delistings are unclear, though speculation points to a potential shift towards Epic Games Store exclusivity as part of Disney's investment in Epic.
MandaloreGaming’s System Shock Remake Review Highlights the Remake RenaissanceInfluential critic MandaloreGaming's review of System Shock Remake has reignited discussions about the quality of modern remakes and the importance of game preservation. The review highlights Nightdive Studios' careful approach to updating the classic immersive sim, balancing fidelity to the original with necessary modernizations.
This Nightdive-remastered 3DO shooter shows why it took Halo to break PC gaming's FPS hegemonyThis analysis discusses PO'ed, a 1995 first-person shooter originally developed by Any Channel and published by The 3DO Company, which has been remastered by Nightdive Studios. Despite its innovative features for the time, such as a chef protagonist and a jetpack, the game is criticized for its clunky controls, disorienting level design, and crude humor. The article also touches on Nightdive Studios' mission of game preservation, using PO'ed as an example of a flawed but historically significant title.
PSA: System Shock Remake Gets A Switch 2 DemoNightdive Studios has released a demo for the System Shock Remake on the Nintendo Switch 2. This follows a recent update that significantly improved performance on both Nintendo Switch models, with the Switch 2 now targeting 60fps. The studio also released a patch for Killing Time: Resurrected.