Meta Cancels System Shock 2 VR and Numerous Other Projects

In a surprising turn of events, Meta has pulled the plug on System Shock 2’s VR version, along with a slew of other projects, as revealed by the studio head responsible for the remaster. However, there’s a glimmer of hope, as development might resume down the line.

Set to launch in June, the remastered edition of the iconic 1999 action RPG survival game will make its way to Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Yet, as mentioned by Stephen Kick, head of the studio working on this remaster, in a Bluesky post, plans for a VR version specifically “for Oculus” were shelved.

In his post, Kick shared, “Originally, we were developing the VR version for Oculus, but then Facebook decided to cancel numerous projects, and unfortunately, SS2VR got caught in that wave. We’ve been talking about potentially picking up development again, and if that happens, it could emerge either as a future patch or a standalone release. It’s all hinging on the response to the 25th Anniversary remaster!”

Back in 2021, news broke about the VR variant of System Shock 2, touting features like full co-op multiplayer support and cross-play compatibility with PC. However, by the following year, it had slipped down the priority list for the studio, leading to its eventual cancellation.

Kick’s update leaves one detail cloudy: whether this “Oculus” version was intended for PC VR via Oculus Rift/Quest Link or for the Quest standalone. We’re awaiting clarification on this and have reached out to Meta for any additional insights they can offer.

Despite the cancellation, Kick remains optimistic, hinting at ongoing discussions about resuming development. “If we choose to go forward, expect it as a future patch or standalone offering. For now, everything depends on how the 25th Anniversary remaster is embraced by the community,” he commented, clearly suggesting that the remaster’s success could breathe new life into the abandoned VR project.