XCOM reboot director and original creator hug it out

Make alien love, not war!

Adam Sessler and Rev3 Games brings two noteworthy turn-based designers together in the same room to chat and hug it out. On one end is X-COM (1994) creator Julian Gollop; the other is occupied by 2012 XCOM reboot designer Jake Solomon.

Gollop created more than the XCOM series. He pioneered turn-based tactical combat games with Rebelstar and Laser Squad, and most recently released Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars (the only 3DS launch title that holds up). While X-COM was later ruined by publisher MicroProse management — which insisted on making the franchise into shooters and rushing annual sequels — Gollop’s other series went unnoticed in the West. One can hardly blame him for his blatant skepticism at 2K Game’s handling of the series and Firaxis’ attempt at a reboot.

“I thought it was a great shame because it was going down the same route as some of the previous X-COM sequels, like Interceptor and Enforcer – in other words, going completely against turn-based combat,” Gollop told Edge in January 2012, when questioned about the upcoming first-person shooter reboot. “It was a bit disappointing from my point of view and for many fans of X-COM. When from out of the blue we heard that Firaxis are doing a turn-based version, it’s as if 2K are trying to cover all their bets.”

Now that designer Jake Solomon and Firaxis has released 2012’s XCOM reboot to rave reviews, Gollop has only kind things to say about Solomon and the game. Gollop was vocal last year about being surprised by the game’s quality, but it’s nice to see him discuss the title and its history with Solomon, who is a nervous, giddy fan in the above interview.

It’s nice to see these two great designers get along and inspire each other, as we could use more talented strategy developers in the market.

X-COM to XCOM: 20 Years of Turn-Based Strategy [Rev3 Games]