14 DAY TRIAL // Part of the longevity of Civilization IV, the turn-based strategy game from Firaxis and 2K Games, is linked to the extensive modding capabilities that the game offers, supporting experiences as deep and varied as Fall from Heaven and Dune Wars.
The team at Firaxis is keen to deliver the same extensive support for mods in their upcoming XCOM: Enemy Unknown, saying that PC gamers are used to it and are able to enhance the game experience as long as they have the right tools.
Speaking to PC Gamer, Jake Solomon, the lead designer working on XCOM: Enemy Unknown, has stated, “The idea is that there is the ability for modability. It won’t be anything that we’re committing to for release, but it’s very very easy using Unreal titles. I write almost all my game code in the scripts, and that’s very easy to give to people.”
Civilization V got a somewhat cooler reception that the fourth title in the series, but the modding options were praised, especially the included map creator which was used to create custom campaigns by intrepid community members.
The PC version of XCOM: Enemy Unknown will also have a different and enhanced user interface, one that will not use the prompts for controller input that have been visible on recent screenshots.
Solomon added, “And so we have a PC tactical UI that we’re working on that is distinct, because obviously mouse driven with a tactical game – being able to select objects of interest – as opposed to a gamepad, where you’re cycling through objects of interest. No, no, we definitely have PC and we plan and we have UI that’s unique.”
XCOM: Enemy Unknown is currently set to arrive on the PlayStation 3, the Xbox 360 and the PC at some point during the fall launch season.