The concept was to ”zoom into the Agent’s head” from the original game, created by Bullfrog Productions. They want to explore the ”core essence” of an Agent.
”It was always going to be an FPS,” declared game director Neil McEwan. ”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.”
”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,” he continued.
”On both facets of the game, the co-op and the single player, it’s very key to stay true to it.” The Swedish developer had been rumoured to have been working on the Syndicate IP for a long time and it was only confirmed by an accidental leak on EA’s Origin service.
”It’s a dark and gritty world, and that’s kind of a Starbreeze thing,” said lead game designer, Vilya Sommerbakk. What does Starbreeze have to say to Bullfrog fans?
”I think the game speaks for itself. We’ve been very lucky to work with a great, original world, and create another facet of it really. I would love them to like it. You’re never going to please everyone,” explained director McEwan.
It features a standalone four-player co-op campaign which includes levels based off the original Syndicate and its sequel, Syndicate Wars. Designer Rickard Johansson says, ”hopefully co-op is a great nod towards the old gang”, but the past is the past.
”I don’t want people to stop playing the old games, but time has moved on.”
Syndicate releases on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC at an undisclosed date.
