System Shock 2
A classic sci-fi horror game featuring the AI antagonist SHODAN.
Where System Shock 2 comes up2 episodes and tests
GArkane level designer and level artist on Dishonored 2, talking with the creator of Game Maker's Toolkit testDishonored 2 Devs Explain the Clockwork Mansion
Gcreator of Game Maker's Toolkit testThe Comeback of the Immersive SimSystem Shock 2 shaped later games through its antagonist and its constraints. SHODAN's taunts inspired Dishonored 2's Jindosh, whom the player meets early where fighting isn't possible. A small inventory and installed powers limited options, so players followed paths fitting their developing style. Lesson: let a villain engage players early, and narrow choices through earlier decisions so freedom doesn't overwhelm.
- 1Player makes early choicesItems carried, powers and skills installed
- 2Later options get limitedOnly installed powers and skills usable
- 3Player follows a fitting pathPlaystyle guides picks, not randomness
From Ken Levine on System Shock 2 design
What was said about System Shock 2
SHODAN's taunting voice became a model for Arkane's Dishonored 2 villain. Jindosh's loudspeaker taunts in Dishonored 2 are openly modelled on SHODAN. Dana Nightingale calls his watching and reacting 'SHODAN-ness'.
Arkane used the taunts to introduce an antagonist early, when the player could not engage him. Jindosh speaks to Emily at the start of the Clockwork Mansion and taunts her throughout. Quote: "let the player meet the antagonists early, in a context where you couldn't necessarily engage with them."
System Shock 2 limits choices through earlier decisions so freedom does not overwhelm. Players can carry only so many items and use only the powers and skills they installed. This pushes them toward a path that fits the playstyle they are building, instead of picking randomly each moment.
Ken Levine designed the game and later made BioShock. Quote: "To avoid overwhelming the player with choices, your options are sometimes limited by decisions you made earlier."
Dishonored 2 Devs Explain the Clockwork Mansion
Jindosh's loudspeaker taunts are openly modelled on SHODAN, and Dana Nightingale calls his watching and reacting 'SHODAN-ness'.
SHODAN's taunting voice became a model for Arkane's Dishonored 2 villain. Jindosh's loudspeaker taunts in Dishonored 2 are openly modelled on SHODAN. Dana Nightingale calls his watching and reacting 'SHODAN-ness'.
Arkane used the taunts to introduce an antagonist early, when the player could not engage him. Jindosh speaks to Emily at the start of the Clockwork Mansion and taunts her throughout. Quote: "let the player meet the antagonists early, in a context where you couldn't necessarily engage with them."
The Comeback of the Immersive Sim
Limits agency with a small inventory and only the powers and skills you installed, so players follow a path that fits their developing style. Ken Levine designed it and later made BioShock.
System Shock 2 limits choices through earlier decisions so freedom does not overwhelm. Players can carry only so many items and use only the powers and skills they installed. This pushes them toward a path that fits the playstyle they are building, instead of picking randomly each moment.
Ken Levine designed the game and later made BioShock. Quote: "To avoid overwhelming the player with choices, your options are sometimes limited by decisions you made earlier."
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