'System Shock 3' release date rumors, news: SHODAN returns, Rebecca Siddons confirmed to appear

SHODAN as shown in concept art for System Shock 3 OtherSide Entertainment

Warren Spector, the producer of the original "System Shock" who is returning to work for the upcoming "System Shock 3," revealed several key details regarding the game, including the fact that the villain SHODAN is indeed coming back as a primary antagonist.

In an interview with Polygon, Spector mentioned that the game is going to take place in 2114, the same year as the second game, and that it will take place immediately after the events of the second title. Spector also revealed this means Rebecca Siddons is also going to appear in the game.

During the end of "System Shock 2" the villain SHODAN, a highly intelligent and self-aware computer AI, had downloaded itself onto a human, known as Rebecca Siddons, and Spector revealed that their fate will be explored in the third game.

SHODAN won't be exactly the same, however, and the story of the third game will explore SHODAN's motivations to eliminate mankind.

"In the first two games her plan was to destroy humanity because, with the removal of her ethical constraints by the hacker in the first game, she's going insane," stated Spector. "But we never explained why she wants to destroy humanity. So we're going to be exploring the idea of a super intelligence and what would motivate a super intelligent AI," he added.

Spector also revealed that the hacker from the first game and the soldier from the second would be coming back. The survivors of the previous games were also confirmed to be featured, and all of their stories would be further fleshed out.

Regarding the game's mechanics, the producer explained that many things have changed in the gaming industry and in the world of hacking since the release of "System Shock" and "System Shock 2." He further mentioned that these changes will be reflected on in the game.

As of writing, no official release date for "System Shock 3" has been announced.

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