Outcast 'revival' coming as creators buy IP

With the crowdfunding boom sparking reboots and 'spiritual successors' all over the place, we live in interesting times for forgotten classics. Voxelicious open-world explore-a-shooter Outcast is the latest revenant to rise, as the founders of developer Appeal have bought the intellectual property off Atari.

Alice O'Connor

July 3, 2013 7:00 AM

Released for PC in 1999, Outcast sent a soldier into an alien parallel universe after a probing experiment gone wrong creates a black hole munching on the Earth. It was an interesting open-world-ish affair, with factions to befriend if you fancy, gadgets to play with, mounts, crafting, and other pleasant touches. It was also jolly pretty, with clever AI t'boot.

Appeal founders Yann Robert, Franck Sauer and Yves Grolet announced yesterday that they've closed a deal with Atari to buy the IP. They stated in a press release that have "started the revival of the franchise and will soon announce further developments." That's all we have.

Outcast's planned sequel ended up scrapped after Appeal went bankrupt.

A group of Outcast fans have been working on their own CryEngine-powered unofficial sequel, Outcast: Legacy of the Voids, for several years.

The original's on GOG for $2.99 in the summer sale, if you fancy giving it a bash. Look, here's a fan-made video tribute to Outcast:

Alice O'Connor

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July 3, 2013 7:00 AM

Alice O'Connor posted a new article, Outcast 'revival' coming as creators buy IP.

With the crowdfunding boom sparking reboots and 'spiritual successors' all over the place, we live in interesting times for forgotten classics. Voxelicious open-world explore-a-shooter Outcast is the latest revenant to rise, as the founders of developer Appeal have bought the intellectual property off Atari.
- NickDelios
  
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  July 3, 2013 7:15 AM
  
  Yes. I actually hope the next edition has Voxels as well.
  - valcan_s
    
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    July 3, 2013 7:18 AM
    
    Same I freaking loved this game I still have the original CD at home.
    
    I was so pissed when the PS2 sequel was canceled.
    
    Man with today's tech and a new shiny Voxels engine it could be insane.
    
    Can not wait.
- vortex6930
  
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  July 3, 2013 8:37 AM
  
  Yes yes yes!. Was just thinking about this game the other day because it was in a couple of video game documentaries. I would love a remake, take my money now!
- BornAcorn
  
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  July 3, 2013 10:12 AM
  
  I wonder if this is related to all those Atari IPs up for sale. If it is I can't wait to find out who got Total Annihilation.
  - DedlokPM
    
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    July 3, 2013 12:06 PM
    
    "the founders of developer Appeal have bought the intellectual property off Atari."
    
    No. I don't think it is related to all those Atari IPs up for sale at all. :p
  - rms
    
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    July 3, 2013 12:26 PM
    
    And how about Blood! Jace Hall could do his remake
    - NickDelios
      
       reply
      July 3, 2013 5:34 PM
      
      I'd actually like Jace to get the rights to Blood just in the hopes that he'd release the goddamn source code, already.
- Parias
  
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  July 3, 2013 10:34 AM
  
  This game was pretty awesome and a terrific amount of fun back in the day. I'm glad to hear there's still interest in reviving this.
- baron calamity
  
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  July 3, 2013 11:01 AM
  
  Please don't be a kickstarter.
- SlamDunk
  
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  July 3, 2013 11:58 AM
  
  Great writeup of the making of Outcast: http://francksauer.com/index.php/games/15-games/published-games/47-outcast-pc
  
  Published in April.
- Conan
  
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  July 3, 2013 12:35 PM
  
  Awesome, i'd love to see that.
- pizzaput
  
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  July 9, 2013 10:06 PM
  
  Great to hear! I hope that the follow-up will also have voxel terrain, and that it will again have a great orchestral soundtrack :)