2K Boston’s mysterious new game is an all new version of X-COM, according to reports from within 2K Games.
The internet erupted into a frenzy of speculation after the following job ad appeared on 2K Boston’s website for a PS3 tools programmer to assist with its next project.
With no shortage of rumours suggesting that the developer is working on a PlayStation 3 version of the critically acclaimed 360 hit BioShock, many have taken this as confirmation that a PS3 version is coming.
However, it seems the truth may be bigger even than that.
According to a journalist (who wishes to remain anonymous) close to the publisher, sources within 2K have said that the mysterious project in question is nothing less than a next-gen instalment of the classic PC series, X-COM.
The new game is said to be in development for PC, 360 and PlayStation 3, and had been due to be announced at last year’s E3 event. However, with Irrational Games (now 2K Boston) still busy finishing off BioShock at the time, the announcement was postponed, and is now expected at this year’s show.
If true, this would certainly be good news for the series’ countless fans (who are said to include 2K Boston head honcho, Ken Levine). The last official X-COM game appeared in 2001, although several spin-offs and homebrew games based on the X-COM universe have appeared in the intervening years.
Certainly, if it is to hit the PS3 as well, it would explain the job listing on 2K Boston’s site.
Where this leaves a PS3 version of BioShock is open to debate (or a fanboy flame war, depending on your level of maturity). However, with the success of the 360 and PC versions and a lot of PS3s out there these days, there’s no denying that a version for Sony’s console could potentially be a nice little earner for 2K.