Starbreeze Explains Why Syndicate Reboot Is A Shooter

Yesterday Starbreeze revealed that they're developing a remake of real-time strategy Syndicate. However, this new game will be a shooter. In a new interview, the developer explained why they decided to convert the series to a new genre.

"It was always going to be an FPS," game director Neil McEwan told OXM UK. "The original nub of the idea was to take that viewpoint from the original game and zoom into the Agent's head, and play that part. A closer experience - to become one of those Agents."

McEwan argues that the game manages to stay true to the series' roots, though.

"We're big fans of the original Syndicate, and we're definitely paying as much homage to it as we can - bringing across the essence of the world, the core essence of what it is to be an Agent. That sounds wanky but it's true - we're taking the Persuadatron and evolving it in different ways, the weapons and brutality. On both facets of the game, the co-op and the single player, it's very key to stay true to it."

The first two Syndicate games let you command a squad of four Agents. The four-player co-op in the remake, designer Rickard Johansson said, is "a great nod" toward that. The standalone co-op campaign is based on missions from Syndicate and Syndicate Wars. Will this satisfy Syndicate purists? Probably not, but it looks like they're at least trying to make the game fit in with the rest of the series.

"I don't want people to stop playing the old games, but time has moved on," said Johansson.