The Visionary Behind X-COM Hints at a Possible Comeback Should Firaxis Extend an Invitation

Julian Gollop, the mastermind behind the unique X-COM game – originally known as UFO: Enemy Unknown in the UK, which was later followed by Firaxis’ XCOM: Enemy Unknown – shared with Eurogamer that he would be quite pleased to revisit the series in some form. Furthermore, he is comfortable with being referred to as simply “the X-COM guy,” despite several decades of other games he has developed since then.

In a conversation with Gollop during an interview regarding his latest motion-RTS hybrid, Chip ‘n Clawz vs. The Brainiods, the discussion with Eurogamer shifted to the broader state of strategy and tactical games (a subject on which he has strong views). Naturally, the chat meandered back to his iconic series. I was curious if he ever felt confined or typecast by the X-COM brand, considering the multitude of games he has created since.

“I am absolutely fine being recognized as the X-COM guy,” he responded when I inquired. “I mean, it was a pivotal game in my career, and in many ways, it became a cornerstone in the strategy gaming genre at that time – even though shortly after its release, the RTS genre surged in popularity.”

However, he added, “as we know, turn-based games made a comeback, X-COM returned once again, and I’m quite proud of what we accomplished back then. Can I ever surpass that? Probably not, no,” he chuckled. “You know, I’m still passionate about creating games, maybe not always in the turn-based realm. Chip ‘n Clawz is something a bit different. So, I’m not bothered by it. It’s all good!”

As for a potential comeback – which I was genuinely intrigued about after he alluded to a spiritual successor, in the 2019’s Phoenix Point