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Are we really never going to see Sony develop another SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs? Not even an HD remaster of SOCOM II for PS4/PS5?

CamHostage

Member
I remember there was a game named "H Hour" (i think) that was supposed to be a spiritual successor to Socom but nothing came of it.

Something did come of it, actually. Although not as much as was hoped when it was first announced.

(H Hour was/is a spiritual successor to SOCOM, by David Sears of the SOCOM team),

It was in early access for a few years and now is official. Early play response was negative and it never really measured up (also never spawned the planned PlayStation version) but the reviews now seem to indicate that it's worth playing, if you're into it. Hard to champion it if it's not on PlayStation where the fanbase is, though.


 
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yurinka

Member
I don't want another SOCOM. I prefer to spend their resources in other games instead, like Days Gone 2, Spider-Man 2, GoW Ragnarok, Uncharted 5, TLOU3 and maybe a Syphon Filter full remake or reboot by maybe Bend+Bluepoint.

If they have to revive a Sony IP that isn't Syphon Filter, I'd choose Wipeout.
 

Concern

Member
Something came of it (H Hour was/is a spiritual successor to SOCOM, by David Sears of the SOCOM team), although not as much as was hoped when it was first announced.

It was in early access for a few years and now is official. Early play response was negative and it never really measured up (also never spawned the planned PlayStation version) but the reviews now seem to indicate that it's worth playing, if you're into it. Hard to champion it if it's not on PlayStation where the fanbase is, though.





So the ps4 version just never released. I remember hearing about a beta that never came or something like that.

Socom would be too niche for today's market I think, unfortunately. But I would have liked another Killzone or Resistance at least. I couldn't care less for Horizon.
 

Concern

Member
I don't want another SOCOM. I prefer to spend their resources in other games instead, like Days Gone 2, Spider-Man 2, GoW Ragnarok, Uncharted 5, TLOU3 and maybe a Syphon Filter full remake or reboot by maybe Bend+Bluepoint.

If they have to revive a Sony IP that isn't Syphon Filter, I'd choose Wipeout.

A new Twisted Metal is also long overdue
 
SOCOM 4 tried to go mainstream and ended up being a piece of shit and killed the franchise.

I have many fond memories of SOCOM but I just dont know how it would fit in today. I know a lot of people in here are referring to SOCOM as a tactical shooter but the strafe battles that every direct firefight boiled down to says otherwise.
 
They're up to something to surprise us and it's big , it seems like they keep getting rid of military fps IPs like soccom, resistance and now killzone but don't bother about it, they listen ,maybe the ps4 just isn't enough for the next big thing, they know what they are doing and they want to do it right.
 

FrankWza

Member
Abandoned
The best. My favorite.
SOCOM 4 tried to go mainstream and ended up being a piece of shit and killed the franchise.
I’ll never understand this decision. It’s not like they didn’t have other shooters on the PS3 to scratch that itch.
Hard to champion it if it's not on PlayStation where the fanbase is, though.
The amount of people that played socom every night was insane. This was still in an era of broadband becoming a thing and needing a network adapter for PS2. Crazy dedicated fan base
 

Roufianos

Member
Something did come of it, actually. Although not as much as was hoped when it was first announced.

(H Hour was/is a spiritual successor to SOCOM, by David Sears of the SOCOM team),

It was in early access for a few years and now is official. Early play response was negative and it never really measured up (also never spawned the planned PlayStation version) but the reviews now seem to indicate that it's worth playing, if you're into it. Hard to champion it if it's not on PlayStation where the fanbase is, though.



It's decent but there's literally no reason to play it over Socom 2 on PC. It's player base is pretty much the same anyway.
 
The best. My favorite.

I’ll never understand this decision. It’s not like they didn’t have other shooters on the PS3 to scratch that itch.

The amount of people that played socom every night was insane. This was still in an era of broadband becoming a thing and needing a network adapter for PS2. Crazy dedicated fan base

Everybody wanted to go for that COD money. That's why Medal of Honor shit the bed as well.
 
Yup! Because Confrontation focused more of what made the series. Tactical 3rd person shooter. I’d say they started veering off course with 3, because the maps were too big not nearly as intimate and 1 and 2, which again, kinda hanged the gameplay formula. Socom 4 was utter trash and nothing like what the series was known for. Then Confrontation was a solid game.

It’s time for a AAA return on PS5.

IIRC the creative director left between 2 and 3. David Sears was the name, I think. He was also behind some spiritual successor that never fully happened, H-Hour. That might be why 3 and Combined Assault veered so far off course from 1 and 2. But you’re right, they tried to go bigger and it ruined the game. The maps were the best part of the game, they were shit in 3.

Confrontation was solid but it launched and had so many glitches and issues for so long. And regarding 4, there were Zipper employees that used to post here and they would talk about how Sony wanted a CoD type game and made them shit up SOCOM 4, and then of course the hack happened.
 
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REDRZA MWS

Member
IIRC the creative director left between 2 and 3. David Sears was the name, I think. He was also behind some spiritual successor that never fully happened, H-Hour. That might be why 3 and Combined Assault veered so far off course from 1 and 2. But you’re right, they tried to go bigger and it ruined the game. The maps were the best part of the game, they were shit in 3.

Confrontation was solid but it launched and had so many glitches and issues for so long. And regarding 4, there were Zipper employees that used to post here and they would talk about how Sony wanted a CoD type game and made them shit up SOCOM 4, and then of course the hack happened.
You and I are eye to eye.
 

phant0m

Member
Not too sure about that. R6: Siege did pretty well, and still is.

What? You're proving his point exactly. R6S isn't single player, not mention it sold like shit at full price. I love R6S but it only got really successful after cutting the price significantly and long support.

The only modern-era single player milsim/tactical shooter I know of is ArmA III.
 

UltimaKilo

Gold Member
SOCOM is maybe my favorite online video game if all time. I’m not sure why you’re hating on SOCOM 4, OP? It was a great game and I enjoyed the hell out of it.

Give me a SOCOM remaster and I’m there. Heck, I’d pay $70 to play the game at 4K/60, no remaster required.

By the way, there’s new SOCOM servers up, for anyone that is interested in playing.
 

FrankWza

Member
SOCOM is maybe my favorite online video game if all time. I’m not sure why you’re hating on SOCOM 4, OP? It was a great game and I enjoyed the hell out of it.

Give me a SOCOM remaster and I’m there. Heck, I’d pay $70 to play the game at 4K/60, no remaster required.

By the way, there’s new SOCOM servers up, for anyone that is interested in playing.
Did you play all the console versions before 4?
 
Socom went downhill with Socom 3.
Yeah they are people who enjoyed Confrontation or Socom 4. Doesn't change the fact that most people like Socom I/II the most.
 

REDRZA MWS

Member
What? You're proving his point exactly. R6S isn't single player, not mention it sold like shit at full price. I love R6S but it only got really successful after cutting the price significantly and long support.

The only modern-era single player milsim/tactical shooter I know of is ArmA III.
Socom was never about the single player. Not sure what you are talking about. My whole point is Socom 1&2, it online MP, the maps and the tactical strategy, were the height of the series. Socom 3 they made the maps way too big and it lost that same magic, that feel. Socom 4 was terrible, chasing CoD nonsense, Confrontation released buggy, but after all the fixes and patches it was actually a decent game.
 

FrankWza

Member
Of course. I played every SOCOM, it’s my favorite online series of all time. The day I got SOCOM 1 and the PS2 modem is a highlight of video gaming for me! :)
I’m surprised you liked 4. At least as a Socom game. There was really nothing left of the original series at that point.
 

REDRZA MWS

Member
The Sony you speak of is no more. Its all mostly cinematic 3rd person story-driven experiences from here on out, enjoy.

Not to mention Zipper went out business.
Pretty sure one of Sony’s awesome stable of 1st party developers could handle a new Socom. Also, it’s not like they don’t have the cash.
 

UltimaKilo

Gold Member
I’m surprised you liked 4. At least as a Socom game. There was really nothing left of the original series at that point.
4 was better than Confrontation, if I remember correctly. It also went back to the original styling and had a few maps like Abandoned and Frost fire from earlier SOCOM games, unless I’m confusing titles.
 
Rainbow Six Siege is not a true tactical shooter or what it was like when Red Storm was in charge of Rainbow Six. I wish it would go back to the roots of tactical a shooter. SOCOM was great IMO.
 
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Pretty sure one of Sony’s awesome stable of 1st party developers could handle a new Socom. Also, it’s not like they don’t have the cash.
Pretty sure the last decade suggests otherwise. None of those "awesome stable of 1st party developers" has been able to competently handle any sort of multiplayer game. Outside of Polyphony I guess, but even they had to destroy the singleplayer portion to do it apparently.

I agree that Socom 1 and 2 were awesome back in the day. One of my early online gaming experiences that made such an impression that to this day I can remember the details from specific matches.

The only other early multiplayer like that for me was Delta Force 3. I remember literally 90% of the match was spent just running. Nothing but running. Just so I could spend those last couple of minutes raining hell down on everyone else with the Barrett 50 cal. When you fired that gun, EVERYBODY in the match knew about it.
 

Roufianos

Member
4 was better than Confrontation, if I remember correctly. It also went back to the original styling and had a few maps like Abandoned and Frost fire from earlier SOCOM games, unless I’m confusing titles.
I also enjoyed 4 a lot more than Confrontation. It definitely had some COD influence but the modes with no respawn gave me my Socom fix.
 
Pretty sure one of Sony’s awesome stable of 1st party developers could handle a new Socom. Also, it’s not like they don’t have the cash.
I honestly wouldn't put much faith in second-hand interpretation of an original IP. It usually results in a way more different vision than what the original creators intended.

Besides, Zipper was made up of vets from commerical military sim/training software (SIMNET). As far as I know, Socom was built around that insight. Just "throwing" it onto the lap of some random studio, with minimal to marginal understanding in that area, is a recipe for disappointment imo.
 
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REDRZA MWS

Member
I honestly wouldn't put much faith in second-hand interpretation of an original IP. It usually results in a way more different vision than what the original creators intended.

Besides, Zipper was made up of vets from commerical military sim/training software (SIMNET). As far as I know, Socom was built around that insight. Just "throwing" it onto the lap of some random studio, with minimal to marginal understanding in that area, is a recipe for disappointment imo.
As far as I know, Sony still owns the code, so all of the underlying systems are still in place. I’m sure any talented developer could look at Socom 1-2 and make a great new game to fully use PS5. Sheesh, the negativity, the sun will come out tomorrow my friend.
 

REDRZA MWS

Member
Soccom is a bit slow compared to successful faster paced shooters today for the mass market
Slow paced is another way of saying Tactical. When your characters life means something g because there is no respawn, leaving your squad weakened and outnumbered, you better go slow and value your own life. As opposed to mindless TTK spawn-kill-die spawn-kill-die. Different stokes for different folks.
 

FrankWza

Member
Slow paced is another way of saying Tactical. When your characters life means something g because there is no respawn, leaving your squad weakened and outnumbered, you better go slow and value your own life. As opposed to mindless TTK spawn-kill-die spawn-kill-die. Different stokes for different folks.
Also, the aspect of being able to talk to your teammates that were dead but the living teammates not being able to hear you was awesome. People would get around that by doing some type of group chat with their phones, but it would still add an element that’s missing. They could also have lobbies that have certain requirements. No respawn, PTT etc
 
The time for an S2 remaster with MP was late into the PS3 cycle/early PS4. It's too outdated now.

I remember sony had an upvote system for things the fans wanted on their community page during ps3 era. S2 remaster was top the entire time and they did fuck all. Now fans of the series are too old and new playerbase have no clue what socom is. It would need to be a Socom reboot. Isn't the rumour that Guerilla UK studio is either doing socom or KZ MP focused title?

FYI - You can still play socom 2 over XLINK. Even better is you can also use the ps2 emulator and xlink vs console players too. I got into it a while back and there was lobbies most nights.

Clan matches and the communities around socom was still the most fun I've had in gaming. My core group of online friends are all from that scene still now. It's always going to have a huge soft spot in my heart but part of me knows it would never work by todays standards. Hell I dont think it works to my own standards. It's hard to be a competitive shooter and have third person mechanics that allow for wall camping etc.
 

REDRZA MWS

Member
The time for an S2 remaster with MP was late into the PS3 cycle/early PS4. It's too outdated now.

I remember sony had an upvote system for things the fans wanted on their community page during ps3 era. S2 remaster was top the entire time and they did fuck all. Now fans of the series are too old and new playerbase have no clue what socom is. It would need to be a Socom reboot. Isn't the rumour that Guerilla UK studio is either doing socom or KZ MP focused title?

FYI - You can still play socom 2 over XLINK. Even better is you can also use the ps2 emulator and xlink vs console players too. I got into it a while back and there was lobbies most nights.

Clan matches and the communities around socom was still the most fun I've had in gaming. My core group of online friends are all from that scene still now. It's always going to have a huge soft spot in my heart but part of me knows it would never work by todays standards. Hell I dont think it works to my own standards. It's hard to be a competitive shooter and have third person mechanics that allow for wall camping etc.
“Outdated”?, so the only formula that works, is the mindless Arcadish gameplay and short attention span, short TTK shooters aka CoD? Not sure why we can’t have a different types of shooter to freshen up the genre and give people choices. You may prefer the same ol CoD gameplay or carbon copies of that formula, but I’m ok with saying their is definitely a market for another type and style of mp shooter.
 

OrtizTwelve

Member
I think there is space in the market for a SOCOM revival, however it has to be done right. The series got progressively worse after SOCOM III, and Sony pulled the plug on the servers for the PS3 version that was online only after a couple years of release.

I would like to see a good third person shooter like SOCOM on today's consoles, but it's hard to imagine what it would look like and play like given things have changed so much since that era. And in today's modern era of Call of Duty's continued success and massive player base, it would have to be a superb and super quality production to stand out.

I do miss however the old days of SOCOM online, things were just simpler and straight to the point, and a lot of fun.
 

truth411

Member
If Ubisoft can release countless Ghost Recon and Rainbow Six sequels, why hasn't Sony done anything with SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs? It is bizarre that such a popular, respected tactical-shooter franchise has continued to be ignored, long after the release of the disappointing SOCOM 4. If it's too risky to release a proper sequel i.e. SOCOM 5 at $70, then they can simply remaster everyone's favorite SOCOM II for the PS4/PS5 and charge $40 to $50 and then use the money generated from sales of that game to help fund a proper sequel, or to keep the online multiplayer up and running for the aforementioned remaster.

Syphon Filter is dead, probably Killzone is as well along with Resistance which just leaves SOCOM, and most people play SOCOM for the online multiplayer. That said, I feel like SOCOM could be to PlayStation what Halo is to Xbox -- exclusive games that people continue to play for its online multiplayer. It's true that Sony fumbled with SOCOM 4 but that was a decade ago. So just start small with an HD remaster of SOCOM II for the PS4, PS5, and bring it to the PC at a later date. How hard can it be?

You can still have your single-player story-driven games from Naughty Dog, Santa Monica, and Insomniac along with some Japanese developed games but also a cool mostly-multiplayer focused tactical shooter like SOCOM to remind everyone that there's more to the genre than what Ubisoft and PC developers have to offer.

co1vuf.jpg


You already got the box art. Just make the game.

Not Going to happen. Besides there would be more interest in a Resistance Reboot over Socom anyways. A Resistance 4/Reboot with a modern-day time period would be incredible.
 
“Outdated”?, so the only formula that works, is the mindless Arcadish gameplay and short attention span, short TTK shooters aka CoD? Not sure why we can’t have a different types of shooter to freshen up the genre and give people choices. You may prefer the same ol CoD gameplay or carbon copies of that formula, but I’m ok with saying their is definitely a market for another type and style of mp shooter.

Let's be clear - I love socom gameplay, I pretty much exclusively play arena shooters, SIM shooters like squad or hell let loos, a lot of CS and a bit of siege.

I used to be deep into competitive console scene. Call of duty literally ruined the entire genre of console shooters for me for about 5 years where everyone copied them. So I have no clue what you are saying here.

The point I'm making is that it has no mainstream appeal. Also if they remade socom today, it would have lowish TTK, that was always the intetion it was just hit detec/netcode was fucked on s2 so everyone was spongey which resulted in great combat. More importantly than TTK was socom didnt have aim assist - so you could actually have longer intense gunfights. I'd love to see a good new socom have a go - I just don't think it would sell to the masses. I'd love to be wrong - but kids these days on console are looking for fortnight, warzone, BR experiences. The kids into the good shit are already playing siege, CS and valorant and probably look down on something like this on console. Then again siege does well on console so maybe there is hope - not that I rate siege very highly, it's still better than most things.

However I do still think core socom gameplay is outdated. Do you not remember the first 2 minutes of every round being nades spammed all over the place - that' was bad. Wallcamping in third person with 5 minute rounds - even for me now - isn't acceptable. It's not "tactical" gameplay when you can sit safely and attain free info. There needs to be risk/rewards for peeking for info - which is why all great tactical shooters are first person. If I was making a competitive socom now. I'd have two modes. The old school bigger maps, 7v7 - 12v12 (I honesty think anything bigger is stupid - never rated 16v16 in S3/CA though it was a bit of fun) with 5 minute round times. And I'd have a tightly focused 5v5/6v6 maps with 2-3 minute rounds. But I sitll don't know how I'd fix wallcamping without making it an fps. Which doesn't work on controller without putting in tonnes of aim assist and making it shit...only thing I can think of would be to make people take a lot of bullets. Then wallcamping isn't such an issue.
 
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REDRZA MWS

Member
Let's be clear - I love socom gameplay, I pretty much exclusively play arena shooters, SIM shooters like squad or hell let loos, a lot of CS and a bit of siege.

I used to be deep into competitive console scene. Call of duty literally ruined the entire genre of console shooters for me for about 5 years where everyone copied them. So I have no clue what you are saying here.

The point I'm making is that it has no mainstream appeal. Also if they remade socom today, it would have lowish TTK, that was always the intetion it was just hit detec/netcode was fucked on s2 so everyone was spongey which resulted in great combat. More importantly than TTK was socom didnt have aim assist - so you could actually have longer intense gunfights. I'd love to see a good new socom have a go - I just don't think it would sell to the masses. I'd love to be wrong - but kids these days on console are looking for fortnight, warzone, BR experiences. The kids into the good shit are already playing siege, CS and valorant and probably look down on something like this on console. Then again siege does well on console so maybe there is hope - not that I rate siege very highly, it's still better than most things.

However I do still think core socom gameplay is outdated. Do you not remember the first 2 minutes of every round being nades spammed all over the place - that' was bad. Wallcamping in third person with 5 minute rounds - even for me now - isn't acceptable. It's not "tactical" gameplay when you can sit safely and attain free info. There needs to be risk/rewards for peeking for info - which is why all great tactical shooters are first person. If I was making a competitive socom now. I'd have two modes. The old school bigger maps, 7v7 - 12v12 (I honesty think anything bigger is stupid - never rated 16v16 in S3/CA though it was a bit of fun) with 5 minute round times. And I'd have a tightly focused 5v5/6v6 maps with 2-3 minute rounds. But I sitll don't know how I'd fix wallcamping without making it an fps. Which doesn't work on controller without putting in tonnes of aim assist and making it shit...only thing I can think of would be to make people take a lot of bullets. Then wallcamping isn't such an issue.
Ehh, agree to disagree.
 

CamHostage

Member
Also if they remade socom today, it would have lowish TTK, that was always the intetion it was just hit detec/netcode was fucked on s2 so everyone was spongey which resulted in great combat.

Yeah, that makes sense that online issues of the time were factored in to help make it fun.

Am I wrong in remembering that the SOCOM beta let you use the modem feature of the PS2 Broadband Adapter to play? (The final game naturally had a big Broadband Only label on it.)

It's decent but there's literally no reason to play it over Socom 2 on PC. It's player base is pretty much the same anyway.

Okay, you can play SOCOM on a PC with an emulator, but are you talking single-player mode? Did it allow multiplayer bots?

SP was never the draw of SOCOM, so I know you can go that way, but between no SOCOM, a SOCOM clone, and single-player SOCOM, the choice is almost made for you...
 

MrMephistoX

Member
SOCOM or even M.A.G would be a smash hit in today’s market as F2P titles. Hell even Warhawk. $60 maybe not.
 
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Okay, you can play SOCOM on a PC with an emulator, but are you talking single-player mode? Did it allow multiplayer bots?

There is an online dedicated server running now with a new patch. 20 players online right now.

Ehh, agree to disagree.

You're deluded unfortunately. If there was enough thirst for a good socom remake - it would exist in the market. It's a dead genre nostaglic to a microscopic, albeit very vocal % of active gamers.

Socom f2p would not be a hit in todays market. I hope they try though - do a proper f2p AAA shooter with socom rules and gameplay. Cosmetic skins, battlepass. Would be fun to see.
 
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