The X-COM Files promises to reveal behind-the-scenes of game

A new book by Shack's David L. Craddock promises to offer a behind-the-scenes look at the making of UFO Defense, Laser Squad, Chaos, and other strategy games by designer Julian Gollop.

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X-COM is one of the most beloved games in all of PC strategy games. A new book by Shack's David L. Craddock promises to offer a behind-the-scenes look at the making of UFO Defense, Laser Squad, Chaos, and other strategy games by designer Julian Gollop.

The X-COM Files: How Alien Invaders, Rebel Squads, and Gooey Blobs Took Strategy Gaming by Storm will be available on Kindle in October, with "other platforms" coming afterwards.

Craddock's previous book, Stay Awhile and Listen, is one of the reasons why Gollop agreed to work with the author on this new collaboration. "I thought it was quite an intricate, deep-dive into the inner workings of Blizzard Entertainment," he said in the press release. "I would like to see the [X-COM] book as kind of a historical record of a game that was influential. Hopefully it can provide some inspiration, and also some fascination for how things were done in the early days of the games industry. And in some cases, how badly things were done as well."

This will be publisher DM Press' next book with Craddock, following the success of Stay Awhile and Listen.

Andrew Yoon was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

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  • reply
    March 26, 2014 1:00 PM

    Andrew Yoon posted a new article, The X-COM Files promises to reveal behind-the-scenes of game.

    A new book by Shack's David L. Craddock promises to offer a behind-the-scenes look at the making of UFO Defense, Laser Squad, Chaos, and other strategy games by designer Julian Gollop.

    • reply
      March 26, 2014 1:28 PM

      Calling all X-COM/XCOM fans!

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        March 26, 2014 1:33 PM

        Awesome, X-Com is dear to my heart, I want to read this. Will we be able to buy a printed copy? I don't have one of those electronic doohickeys.

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          March 26, 2014 1:46 PM

          Nothing concrete planned in the print sector just yet, although I may have some news on that front. In the meantime, you won't need a dedicated ereader to read XCF. You can use a phone, a tablet, or a computer.

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        March 26, 2014 7:05 PM

        Let's talk cover fonts. Just kidding. How this book does even better than your last.

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      March 26, 2014 1:47 PM

      Wow, hey, congratulations! You've sold at least two copies with me!

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      March 26, 2014 1:54 PM

      This sounds awesome. I liked his last book about the making of Diablo

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      March 26, 2014 2:03 PM

      Congrats, love your stuff

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      March 26, 2014 2:43 PM

      Saw the posts today teasing the announcement. Very excited to read this. Will be an instant purchase. Great news :-D

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      March 26, 2014 2:45 PM

      David, added your book to my wishlist (the former one) and look forward to this upcoming one. I hope you keep us updated on the progress!

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      March 26, 2014 2:55 PM

      HOLY FUCKING SHIT!

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        March 26, 2014 4:20 PM

        I feel the same way!

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          March 26, 2014 4:37 PM

          X-COM: UFO Defense is one of most favorite games of all time. I really feel that it's a timeless classic, like Super Mario Bros and DOOM. And SAAL was a great in-depth work covering really all aspects that I was hoping to see covered. Backstory, inside baseball, interesting personal and historical tidbits.

          And now you're doing the same thing, but for UFOD? I say again: HOLY FUCKING SHIT. I'm stoked!

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      March 26, 2014 3:44 PM

      Woooo! Who do I have to kill to have this released as a paperback??? I want to have this shit on my shelf!!!

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        March 26, 2014 3:50 PM

        Maybe, possibly, hopefully a Patreon reward in the future. No promises. :)

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      March 26, 2014 3:48 PM

      Go Craddock

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      March 26, 2014 4:35 PM

      Cool man! all the best congrats, looking forward to it.

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      March 26, 2014 4:47 PM

      Awesome! The last book was great!

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      March 26, 2014 5:07 PM

      KEEEEWWLLL

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      March 26, 2014 5:47 PM

      Are Laser Squad and Chaos worth playing? The only games I ever played by Julian Gollop were X-Com and Ghost Recon for the 3DS, which was actually a good turn based game that needs more love.

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      March 26, 2014 8:06 PM

      Neat - hope this will be a good read!

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      March 26, 2014 8:33 PM

      Wow, I'm so jealous that you get to work with Julian Gollop! This is incredible. I hope you get to ask him a lot of questions and perhaps some about X-COM Genesis so we can get some insider details about that game also! Congrats, this will be a definite read!

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      March 26, 2014 10:56 PM

      will get this for sure!

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      March 30, 2014 2:11 AM

      Neat. The first review that shows up on 'Stay Awhile and Listen'? Julian Gollop. :D

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