XCOM designer Jake Solomon hints at 'something special' for the sixth anniversary

Believe it or not, it's been six years, almost to the day, since Firaxis very successfully brought back the X-Com sci-fi strategy series with XCOM: Enemy Unknown. In fact, on October 9 it will be six years to the day, and it's possible that the developers might be doing something to celebrate the birthday.

So October 9th is the 6 year anniversary of XCOM: Enemy Unkown, @gsdeangelis and @GregFoertsch you guys up for doing something special? Maybe something to thank the amazing fans who’ve stuck with us these last 6 years?October 1, 2018

Solomon was the designer on XCOM and XCOM 2, while Garth DeAngelis was the producer on both projects and Greg Foertsch was the art director. In other words, it's the top trio of XCOM execs just shooting the breeze, speculating idly about "doing something special" for the fans.

Love it. Let’s grab lunch at the diner tomorrow and talk about it! pic.twitter.com/eoKIedaKUuOctober 1, 2018

@gsdeangelis @solomonjake Diner? How about we go to our usual place tomorrow? pic.twitter.com/rlLfS9x9C1October 1, 2018

Could there be more to it than casual chit chat? Six years is an odd sort of anniversary to make a big fuss over, and there's no obvious reason for it that leaps out at me. But it's interesting that games from the original X-Com series were released in 1994, '95, '97, '98, and '99, but not 1996. Coincidence? Hey man, I just work here.

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.