System Shock Remastered Edition Update #72

This month’s development update for Nightdive Studios’ System Shock Remastered Edition shows off a number of enemies we’ll be facing on our new trip to the Citadel Station. It also mentions the upcoming Realms Deep 2020 event that will be taking place over the first weekend of September. This event is said to feature some fresh reveals.

Here’s a trailer for it:

And the text parts of the update:

Welcome back Hackers,

This month we have decided to dedicate this update to some of SHODAN’s cybernetic children. Recreating each enemy is a joint effort of our artists Robb Waters, Jed Wahl, and Evie Mansell; together they were able to recreate as well as update each one.

Serv-Bot

“This automated research assistant helps with lab chores, transporting equipment, mixing chemicals, recording lab notes, and relaying memos. It has a rudimentary AI and is equipped with improved speech recognition sensors.”

-Catalog of Robotic Assistants on Citadel Station

The Serv-Bot holds true to the original design but it is necessary to conceptualize it as a real-world functioning machine.

Just get a look at those new details and that text crawl!

Repair Bot

“This maintenance automaton performs routine service operations in access corridors involving welding, part replacement, and circuitry repair. An insectoid chassis allows for movement along slanted architectural structures.”

-Catalog of Robotic Assistants on Citadel Station

While much hasn’t strayed from the original design, we have the ability to add extra details that make sense for functionality.

I hope you have your Mini Pistol ready because these little guys won’t go easy on you.

Maintenance Bot

“Early Repair-Bot prototypes had trouble accessing Citadel’s matrix of crawl-tubes, shafts and cable troughs when making repairs, so the robotics department created the more maneuverable Maintenance-Bot. Their compact tooling devices are specifically designed for limited access areas and double as defensive attachments.”

-Catalog of Robotic Assistants on Citadel Station

Now we start to move on to the bots that have much bigger changes. In concepting a modern Citadel, some enemies just needed to be a bit more practical. These natural changes are a little closer to what you see in System Shock 2.

Between decals, wires, and each modular segment, there is so much detail!

Mobile Laser

“Designed for laser welding and cutting, the Hopper works in coordination with Repair-Bots for major repair jobs. They follow computer-assigned tasks and employ a powerful laser torch. Their low-level diagnostic capabilities allow them to identify potential mechanical breakdowns and report them to the central maintenance hub.”

~ Catalog of Robotic Assistants on Citadel Station

What? The Hopper is evolving?

Congratulations, your Hopper is now a Mobile Laser! Jokes aside, in updating the mobile laser we had to think about the practicality of it being on the station. However, we made sure its name was there.

As you can see in this turnaround, the majority of the changes were to the base, but other than that it is very close to the original!

Mantis Assassin

The Mantis Assassin is a newer enemy based on the Cyborg Assassin. Unlike the regular Assassin, this version likes to get up close and personal with its targets. One precisely landed piercing blade to the throat will silence any insect.

Watch out for the cybernetic tibial, or you just might get stabbed.

Cyborg Enforcer

These Cyborgs are converted female members of the crew and are easily recognized by their brown armor, mechanized legs, and green visor in the original.

Well, that arm looks familiar, seems like SHODAN is borrowing parts from the Maintenance Bot.

As you can see, she is made to be very unique and modular.

Virus Mutant

Lastly, something truly organic…

The Virus Mutant is kept very true to the original vision, which truly makes him new and horrible is his pus-filled attacks.

I guarantee that you’ll want to take him out as quickly as possible.

One last thing….

Cyberspace coming soon.

Realms Deep

3D Realms presents Realms Deep 2020, an event honoring indie games unlike any other!

“Love indie old-school-inspired shooters? Watch Realms Deep for world premieres from 3D Realms and 1C Entertainment, including a brand new dark-fantasy FPS and multiple new games. But 3D Realms won’t hog the spotlight. Expect news from all, and game reveals from some of the genre’s biggest names including New Blood Interactive (DUSK, Amid Evil, Gloomwood, ULTRAKILL), NightDive Studios (System Shock, DOOM 64, Turok remasters), Running with Scissors (the POSTAL series) and many, many more. More than 40 games in all!”