official Syndicate

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

Developer: Starbreeze Studios

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Engine: Starbreeze Engine (in-house)

Release Date: NA: February 21, 2012, EU: February 24, 2012

Genre: First-person Shooter

Description:

Syndicate is an upcoming video game by Starbreeze Studios set for release in February 2012 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 platforms. It is a reboot of the Syndicate series developed by Bullfrog Productions, completely changing the genre from a tactical shooter to an FPS. [Source]

Story:

2069: No longer governed by politicians, the developed world is divided up into regions controlled by mega-corporations known as syndicates. These syndicates have revolutionized how the consumer interacts with the digital world. Since the consumer requires a device to access the world's data and control technology, they can do this in the blink of an eye via neural chip implant.

Civilians flocked to be "Chip'd" and enjoy all that their selected syndicate has to offer: housing, medical, banking, insurance, education, entertainment and jobs. One complete package. One complete lifestyle. In return, the syndicates gained unprecedented insights, and control, over the individual and their behavior. With little government oversight, business has become war. The syndicates will stop at nothing for ultimate market dominance.

At the first line of this war are the agents, the syndicate's bio-engineered and chip-augmented enforcers. They can breach anything in the wired dataverse, including their enemies, their weapons and the environment that surrounds them, making them the most efficient and deadly technological weapons in the world. Take on the role of Miles Kilo, EuroCorp's latest prototype agent, and embark on a brutal action adventure of corruption and revenge. [Source]

Links:

Official website: http://www.ea.com/syndicate

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Syndicate

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Syndicate / https://twitter.com/...#!/StarbreezeAB

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/syndicate

Screenshots:

Videos:

The demo should be available on Xbox Live and PSN. It's a co-op trial that features one co-op level from the final game.

[HawkMan]

I'll try it out, I might even like it and get it.

But give me a real new syndicate dammit.

[Muhammad Farrukh]

I am excited about this.

Heard some great things about the original.

Never played it myself, but from the looks of it, looks good.

And Anaron, you beat me again. :( Was about to make the thread

[TheLegendOfMart]

I think this encroaches too much on Deus Ex territory, I hate companies that leverage on a franchise popularity and take it into areas it doesnt need to be.

[monkey13]

Yep. I was sad about this and the new FPS X-Com. However now there is to be a new proper X-Com I am hoping that is a hit and then we might have a proper new Syndicate.

I'll wait for this on budget with all the DLC dirt cheap.

[compl3x]

I think this was banned in Australia. Something to do with our backwards ratings board. They seen to much fake, imaginary violence and they thought about the children.

No worries, though, I intend to import this. probably not on release, but eventually.

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

I am excited about this.

Heard some great things about the original.

Never played it myself, but from the looks of it, looks good.

And Anaron, you beat me again. :( Was about to make the thread

Me too. At first, I wasn't interested in it but the 4 player co-op trailer changed my mind. I didn't know about the original until I learned about this game though.

Haha! I was going to make it last week but it slipped my mind.

I think this encroaches too much on Deus Ex territory, I hate companies that leverage on a franchise popularity and take it into areas it doesnt need to be.

I disagree. I think both games have distinctly different styles. Also, they're expanding the story that was established in the 1993 version of Syndicate.

I think this was banned in Australia. Something to do with our backwards ratings board. They seen to much fake, imaginary violence and they thought about the children.

No worries, though, I intend to import this. probably not on release, but eventually.

I remember reading an article about the lack of an "adults-only" game rating in Australia. I believe Syndicate could not be classified so it's effectively banned from sale. They need to create a new game rating for adults.

As I was writing this post, I came across this article which explains why it was banned: http://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/12/this-is-why-syndicate-was-refused-classification

[Jason S. Global Moderator]

not sure if this game is cool or not... seems gimmicky

[shakey]

not sure if this game is cool or not... seems gimmicky

Very gimmicky...

The original Syndicate was unique. This is just a combination of Syndicate universe, CoD style kill points, and a mix of other FPS crap. I had hope for it until this thread, which has shown me a lot of what I don't want to see.

[spaceelf]

I like EA, I like Starbeeze, I like FPSes, and yet this game still fails to excite me.

I want to care, and I don't. *shrug* Will probably pick it up eventually.

[+virtorio MVC]

Cautiously optimistic

[Muhammad Farrukh]

Will it feature just a co-op campaign, or will it also have a single player campaign?

[Dotdot]

In two minds about this as the originals were amazing in there day. Little worried its going to be a bit too modernized.

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

Here's some good news:

No Online Pass for Syndicate, EA confirms

Syndicate will not use the controversial Online Pass, EA has confirmed.

EA Partners executive producer Jeff Gamon told Eurogamer the decision was made in an effort to encourage all players to play the shooter, which includes a co-op component.

"We want as little resistance or barriers to entry as possible," Gamon said. "The co-op is equal billing in this. We wanted everyone who owns a copy of the game to have access to the entire product."

EA's policy is to include Online Pass in all its games, but this does not apply to EA Partners games.

Last year EA Partners published Portal 2, made by Valve, and Crysis 2, made by Crytek, and neither included Online Pass. But there are differences between these two games and Syndicate, Gamon said, which makes the decision not to include Online Pass all the more surprising.

While Swedish developer Starbreeze is independent, and EA Partners managed the development of the game, Syndicate is an EA-owned IP and the game is published by EA, Gamon said.

"Under normal circumstances it would have had an online pass, but because it didn't have competitive multiplayer and because we wanted as many people as possible to be playing co-op, we got away with it," Gamon explained.

"Maybe another reason for not having the Online Pass is we were confident in the scope of the online game.

[...]

Source: Eurogamer

[paxa]

going to keep an eye on this one, it looks really really good.

[jwt]

I had the original I remember I got as far as 'just past the far east' level. There were three choices and I found them all bloody impossible! Also had the add on pack where I couldn't get past the first level... but that's maybe because I was 9 or 10.

I liked the 'action music' also played at the end of one of the videos in the first post here.

[CowboyBebop]

I haven't been on the forum for a while but I thought I would post this for people who want to know. If you want the original Syndicate it's available on GOG.com for $5.99.

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

Checked out the 4 player CoOp demo. Unfortunately because of my puppy I had to bail mid match (felt awful, I honestly would not have even joined but I thought he was going to stay asleep), and it was actually pretty damn fun. Nothing revolutionary at all, graphics were just meh, but it was decent fun. Just a rental for me though, definitely did not seem worthy of an outright purchase.

[neoadorable]

blaming the puppy now are we heh heh?

and yes, am psyched that this is coming out next week or the week after. why didn't you like it Larry?

[Muhammad Farrukh]

Checked out the 4 player CoOp demo. Unfortunately because of my puppy

:rofl:

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

Launch trailer:

[neoadorable]

Launch trailer looks great, but then if Starbreeze made a game about scrambling eggs I'd lap it up and praise it, so my opinion isn't much to go on.

[Muhammad Farrukh]

GameSpot: 7.5

Syndicate's cooperative play is undeniably thrilling. Too bad the single-player campaign doesn't reach the same heights.

The Good

• Fantastic, nail-biting cooperative play
  
• Aggressive AI keeps the pressure on
  
• Online progression system gives you reasons to return
  
• Smooth animations and dazzling visuals
  
• Gunplay and hacking lead to thrills.
  

The Bad

• Weak storytelling wastes the cool setting
  
• Mediocre, poorly-paced campaign
  
• Ridiculously oversaturated lighting effects impede gameplay.
  

Looks like worth playing with friends, eh?

[Dotdot]

GameSpot: 7.5

Looks like worth playing with friends, eh?

Gonna pick it up for playing with flatmate for deffo, long as the multiplayer is sound I can forgive the rest.

[Glassed Silver]

First association with thread title:

What an awesome game! (Y)

Glassed Silver:mac