For a while now, fans of System Shock have been looking forward to the release of remasters of the game and System Shock 2: Enhanced Edition. Developer Nightdive Studios announced the System Shock 2 remaster in 2019, and said there would be plans for the game to receive a VR mode.
Now, Nightdive has revealed that the remastered System Shock sequel is receiving a playable VR mode for the game's release. Nightdive determined that System Shock 2 has the potential foundation for the virtual reality features, and is capitalizing on this to create a playable VR version of the remaster.
The idea came to Nightdive's attention while the developer was in the process of going through the game's framework. According to Nightdive CEO Stephen Kick, the option for a playable VR mode for System Shock 2 emerged while the developer was in the process of reverse-engineering the "missing libraries" for the game. Kick said the idea of a "standalone VR version" came around then, and the studio brought in a VR expert to take a look at the game and let them know what they were working with.
Using the expert's input, the developer was made aware that System Shock 2 has the blueprint for a working VR mode, but the developer is doing more than making it an add-on. Reportedly, Kick said that the playable VR mode will be a fully-fleshed out feature of the game and the studio is building the remaster's VR experience from the ground up. System Shock 2's VR mode will also be fully compatible with its multiplayer mode, so players can play together in System Shock's sci-fi horror setting.
Through cross-platform play, the game's co-op mode can be played in VR too, with one player using VR and another using a PC to play the game together. One of the reasons Nightdive is developing a dedicated VR mode for System Shock 2: Enhanced Edition is the immersive element it can bring to playing the game. Kick mentioned that in VR "you're the one actually swinging the weapons, you're reloading [the guns] yourself."
It's the personal element VR brings to the table that could enhance the overall gameplay experience. To help accomplish this, Nightdive has been studying other VR video games that have come out in recent years to help make the VR mode. Notably, Half-Life: Alyx released last year, which the developer cites as a huge inspiration for the remaster's VR mode.
Currently, the VR mode for System Shock 2: Enhanced Edition is in the prototype stage, so it might not be released with the remaster or the System Shock remake.
System Shock 2: Enhanced Edition will release for PC, but currently has no release date.
Source: IGN