When creative director Jake Solomon was hyping the game ahead of its release this time last year, he stated that the PC version was the priority, and the console ports weren’t even being considered at that time. However, he did suggest that the game could reach consoles further down the line.
Firaxis has secured the services of California-based developer The Workshop to handle the port. The studio previously developed the Mr. Torgue’s Campaign of Carnage expansion for Borderlands 2, and was responsible for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of The Evil Within.
Released in 2012, XCOM: Enemy Unknown was a hugely successful reboot to the cult classic sci-fi strategy series that flourished in the 1990s. Despite making some major changes to the gameplay laid out in Julian Gollop’s masterful 1994 original, the game managed to please devotees and new fans alike.
Part of this success can be attributed to the carefully considered compromises made by the team at Firaxis to ensure that the game could be enjoyed using either a keyboard and mouse on PC, or a standard controller on consoles. As a result, many were surprised to see the launch of XCOM 2 confined to the PC — and there will be plenty of newer fans pleased to find that the sequel is being ported.
Pre-orders for the console version of the game will give buyers access to the Resistance Warrior Pack, which features new cosmetic customization options for your soldiers, and a new recruit boasting the traditional XCOM hairstyle and throwback armor. Pre-ordering the digital deluxe edition secures access to all paid DLC, and the Resistance Warrior Pack.
XCOM 2 will release for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on September 6, 2016.
