Meta recently pulled the plug on a potential VR port for System Shock 2, among many other projects, though there’s still a chance the project might be revived in the future. This revelation came from Stephen Kick, the head of the studio working on the remaster, who shared the news on Bluesky. The beloved 1999 action RPG is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a remaster, scheduled to hit Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch in June. But it seems the virtual reality edition planned for the Oculus didn’t make the cut.
Kick explained, “We initially embarked on developing the VR version specifically for Oculus. However, Facebook decided to cancel numerous projects, and regrettably, SS2VR was part of that list. We’ve kicked around the idea of picking up development again, but if we do, it would come through either a future patch or as a standalone release. For now, we’re taking a wait-and-see approach based on how the remaster performs!”
Back in 2021, the gaming community got wind of the VR version, which promised a full co-op multiplayer experience, including cross-play capabilities with PC systems. Unfortunately, by 2022, priorities shifted within the studio, relegating the VR version to the sidelines before it was eventually scrapped.
The specifics about the “Oculus” version remain a bit unclear. Was it intended for PC VR setups like Oculus Rift or Quest Link, or was it meant for the standalone Quest? We’re reaching out to Meta for any additional insights or comments they might have.
Despite the setback, Kick hinted at internal discussions about potentially reviving development. If they proceed, it could emerge as either a future patch or a standalone release. He emphasized that the decision largely hinges on how well the 25th Anniversary remaster is received, suggesting that community response could play a crucial role in whether the VR version comes to life later on.
