Nightdive Studios, SNEG, Ziggurat, Piko Interactive and others rereleasing classic games

[Infinitron]

Looks like actually Nightdive is going to re-release this game. Possibly bundled with 1998 SiN.

They added both games to an unused package slot that seemingly was intended for System Shock 2: https://steamdb.info/sub/416913/apps/

Here it is:




https://af.gog.com/game/sin_gold?as=1649904300

 

[LESS T_T]

Updated Features
* Added "Wages of SiN" expansion
* Added modernized Steam master server support
* Added and restored editing SDK
* Added support for additional 16:9 video resolutions
* Restored/uncensored various original game assets

General Improvements
* Optimizations to math, container types, and search algorithms
* Restored support for *.sin pack files, re-packed assets
* Removed obsolete IPX networking support
* Restored original sound and music engine
* Changed video format to open-source/patent-free OGV/Theora

Fixes
* Fixed crash in Docks cinematic
* Fixed incorrect behavior in Thug AI
* Fixed undefined camera position and occasional crash in Wages of SiN ending cinematic
* r_palettemode cvar for software mode now reads and writes correct configuration variable
* Fixed memory corruption issue during multiplayer initialization
* cl_maxfps default changed to 200 to avoid issues with game running too fast
* Repaired issue with extremely loud sounds on menu screens when FPS is too high
* Fixed possible soft lock when using menu hotkeys while inside an in-game computer console
* Restored missing assets for Beecadrone enemy

Huh.

 

[taxalot]

So it's a patch ?

 

[jebsmoker]

system shock 1 was also updated on steam. anyone figured out what the patch is about?

 

[Baron Dupek]

system shock 1 was also updated on steam. anyone figured out what the patch is about?

porting to KEX engine?

 

[Infinitron]

system shock 1 was also updated on steam. anyone figured out what the patch is about?

porting to KEX engine?

They did that in 2018: https://rpgcodex.net/forums/index.php?threads/system-shock-1-thread.84607/page-7#post-5779473

 

[LESS T_T]

NuRetro FPS companies united, doing their own indie showcase:

 

[LESS T_T]

As spotted by MotherMachinae, it seems an entity called Ziggurat has grabbed some of the Retroism games including Darklands.

https://store.steampowered.com/search/?publisher=Ziggurat

Those games are now removed from GOG.

Looks like this Ziggurat also acquired two obscure games from Piko Interactive.





Or maybe there was legal wrangling about who actually owns what? Because, honestly, what's the point of acquiring those two games. Also both games were related to Infogrames.

Heh, I guess it was actually some deals. They also acquired Legend Entertainment games from Piko: https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pres...tary_and_HistoryThemed_Games_on_GOG_Today.php

Ziggurat also announced today the acquisition of Superhero League of Hoboken, Mission Critical, and Eric the Unready from Legend Entertainment, all of which are now available on GOG.COM!

Spellcasting games too.

It's almost like they took PC-oriented games from Piko, while Piko's major interest is in consoles.

And it seems they have some relationship with Nightdive, which was involved in previous re-release of their catalog:

 

[Infinitron]

NuRetro FPS companies united, doing their own indie showcase:

GDC may be canceled, but let these indie devs shine!

3D Realms 21:20
Limited Run 57:00
New Blood 1:11:00
Poppy Works 1:31:41
Pharaoh Hounds Games 1:40:00
D-Cell Games 1:47:43
Lone Wulf Studio 1:56:01
Yukon Wainczak 2:10:00
Spooky Buns 2:20:30
Casper Croes 2:27:00
Foxtail Studio 2:32:50
Gumbo Machine 2:43:43
Scary Robot Games 2:45:55
Rose City Games 2:58:41

 

[Morgoth]

So they're saying they intend to release a Gloomwood demo soon as well as launch the game in Early Access.

Okay.

 

[LESS T_T]

Three Piko owned games that was only re-released on GOG in December are coming to Steam.

The Legacy: Realm of Terror:

Hexplore:

DethKarz:

 

[LESS T_T]

Ziggurat's re-release of the first Fields of Glory on Steam:

 

[LESS T_T]

Since all sports events are now going digital, Ziggurat will re-release a game that will replace the delayed Tokyo Olympic Games. Purple Saturn Day, the galactic Olympic:

 

[LESS T_T]

Two more re-releases from Ziggurat.

Murders in Space (1990):

World Championship Boxing Manager (1990):

I'm suspecting these are from Piko's catalog.

 

[LESS T_T]

Another day, another delists.
Again - from Retroism.

https://af.gog.com/forum/general/re...ng_2_lead_and_destroy_delisting?as=1649904300

Requiem - Avenging Angel and both Uprising games

Looks like this is to do with some company called Prism Entertainment.

They're also removed from sale on Steam, unlike Darklands.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/465360/Uprising_Join_or_Die/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/514050/Uprising_2_Lead_and_Destroy/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/493310/Requiem_Avenging_Angel/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/493320/Killing_Time/

These games are now back on Steam. Ziggurat as the publisher instead of Retroism. I guess they will back on GOG too sooner or later.

Actually Ziggurat outright bought them. They have acquired "more than 30 games" of 3DO catalog from Prism:
https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pres...DO_Games_Catalog_from_Prism_Entertainment.php

Publisher Ziggurat Interactive Acquires 3DO Games Catalog from Prism Entertainment

DENVER, COLORADO (April 27, 2020) — Ziggurat Interactive, a leading publisher of modern and retro-games for PC and console platforms, announced today the acquisition of a library of more than 30 games from Prism Entertainment. These titles originally owned by The 3DO Company and its affiliates include Captain Quazar, Killing Time, Requiem: Avenging Angel, Uprising: Join or Die, and Uprising: Lead and Destroy, are now owned wholly by Ziggurat Interactive, who has taken over publishing rights on digital platforms including Steam and GOG.com.

“We’re very excited to announce our agreement with Prism Entertainment,” said Michael Devine, Senior VP of Business Development, Ziggurat Interactive. “One of our fundamental pillars as a publisher — and as fans of classic games ourselves — is to get titles that meant so much to so many, into the hands of gamers, both old and new. By bringing back games like Uprising and Requiem to digital stores, we’re helping make that happen.”

“Seeing these classic titles reach a new audience on today’s PC platforms is thrilling,” said Jamie Cook, CEO of Prism Entertainment. “We appreciate how Ziggurat is bringing back great games for modern audiences, and can’t wait to see these classics on digital shelves.”

Key titles include:

• Killing Time: Solve the mystery of the sinister artifact, the “Water Clock of Thoth,” as you battle your way through waves of ghosts, demons and the undead in this horror-themed first-person shooter.
• Requiem: Avenging Angel: Stop the end-times from arriving as the angel Malachi, using your divine powers! Fallen angels have taken control of humanity, and it’s up to you to stop them from bringing about a world-ending apocalypse.
• Uprising: Join or Die: Command the Wraith combat vehicle in this sci-fi title combining first-person combat and strategic base-building. Fend off the forces of the Imperium and fight for your people’s freedom!
• Uprising 2: Lead and Destroy: Return to the helm of the mighty Wraith combat vehicle in a continuation of the storyline from Uprising: Join or Die. Blast your way through 36 missions in a quest to learn the location of the enemy citadel.

Also included in the purchase are the sci-fi comedy shooter Captain Quazar and mercenary battlefield-biz sim Wages of War: The Business of Battle!

More info about Ziggurat Interactive and its current lineup is available on Facebook, Twitter, and the company’s official website, with info on their upcoming products to be announced as released.

I guess it's for the better, from an asset management company to a re-release publisher:

 

[LESS T_T]

They may sold off PC-oriented games to Ziggurat, but Piko has acquired some peculiar/obscure arcade-y and console-y games around the world.

Korean arcade games: https://twitter.com/Pikointeractive/status/1246972216606105600

We'd like to announce that we have acquired the rights to some of the Arcade games by Unico/Uniana!

Including the undumped Master's Fury, Legend of Silkroad, Dragon Master, and more!

Spanish arcade games: https://twitter.com/Pikointeractive/status/1251321706003804161

Oh you know something? We acquired the rights to the Gaelco 2D Game Catalog! Thunderhoop, Big Karnak, Alligator Hunt, etc!

Italian arcade games: https://twitter.com/Pikointeractive/status/1258415242507431941

We acquired the Rights of the Arcade titles of Electronic Devices from Italy! Including Mighty Warriors!

Few things from UK companies, O.D.T Escape or Die Trying, The First Samurai, The Second Samurai and Street Racer:




Two games from Zeus Software, Risky Woods and Biomechanical Toy:




And probably a big deal for NeoGeo aficionado, Rage of the Dragons:

 

[lightbane]

Scrapping the bottom of the barrel, then opening a new one right afterwards.

 

[Silentstorm]

Honestly, getting arcade games and Korean or obscure European games seems really damn cool and interesting, sadly, none of those seem really all that great, but hey, still appreciate it.

 

[markec]

Bundle fodder.

 

[luj1]

Is the remake of Powerslave out? Loved that game as a kid.

 

[LESS T_T]

Is the remake of Powerslave out?

No. I imagine it's being pushed by more "important" (more popular, involving external companies -> harder deadlines) projects like Doom 64, Shadow Man, and Blade Runner.

Also their vision of remastering Powerslave seemed not so trivial after all.

 

[LESS T_T]

F29 Retaliator, Digital Image Design/Ocean Software's 1989 flight sim, re-released under the name of Cosmi/ValuSoft instead of Ziggurat for some reason:

 

[Owl]

More old school polygon goodness! The X-29 was a crazy airplane.
Thank you LESS T_T!

 

[luj1]

Also their vision of remastering Powerslave seemed not so trivial after all.

What do you mean? As in involving more drastic changes?

 

[agris]

luj1 from what I recall, the “best” version of powerslave was spread across multiple builds or platforms. One had the best maps, another the best weapon textures, etc. So if they were going to do a damn good job, they were going to have to cut and splice their remastered version together from multiple codebases.