The Restoration of SOCOM

[ Some of you may have read this before. For those that haven't, take the the time to read this through and sign on if you agree with the cause. I know that these petitions have been attempted in the past and produced little (if any) results, but that doesn't mean we should give up. ]


I feel that it is time to begin the development of another SOCOM.

*GASP* What?!

A REAL SOCOM...with a REAL budget...with REAL care put into the game.

* I'd like to make this clear before I go any further: I'm not saying that SOCOM Confrontation should be shut down. Those that like Confrontation can keep playing and working with Slant to attempt to make it the game that they want. And whilst the REAL SOCOM is in development, this game can hold us over...hypothetically speaking. Wasn't this the original plan anyway? *

BACK TO THE TOPIC:

Most of us feel betrayed, disappointed, and upset with the lack of care that went into Confrontation. SOCOM, during its run on the PS2, was one of the most successful gaming franchises - when you look at total sales combined with the rabid online following - of its time. Why this franchise has gone from PlayStation's diamond in the rough, to a mere flicker of light is beyond my comprehension.

To the vast majority of us, SOCOM / SOCOM II are the standard of excellence when it comes to this series; and maybe even in general. When you talk about the greatness of SOCOM, this is where our thoughts lead us - Back to the Roots! Sound familiar?

In 2005, Zipper & Sony dismantled the franchise and turned it into something that it should never have become. The big maps, vehicles, and the COMPLETE overhaul of the entire game engine did not produce that old SOCOM feeling; for most. Thus, the game's (S3/CA) were barely recognizable as SOCOM titles. Still, they were playable and held the SOCOM community over just long enough to lead up to SOCOM: Confrontation.

S:C - the game that was to restore SOCOM back to its glory! Needless to say, the excitement of this next-generation SOCOM was soon eradicated by the lack of...well...A LOT. We are all aware of the problems - Slant's aware, Sony's aware, Seth's aware. I will not insult you, the readers, by repeating what is already known.

The MAIN problem, however, is not lag, disconnections, lack of maps, or community features...

We (when I say WE or US, I'm referring to most of the vets) miss the engine that made S1/S2 run...THE CORE GAMEPLAY! From the character movement, to the gun recoil, to reloading, controlling character speed with a joystick, diving, strafing, etc.

Old builds can be brought to the next-gen...that is a FACT. It's been done with most of the fan favorites (Halo, GTA, etc.) of today. Why not SOCOM?

I've said this too many times already, but it bares repeating: Successful gaming franchises stick to their winning formula. If a game is selling and the fans are happy with the product...DON'T MESS WITH IT!

Am I saying that evolving the game is bad? NO.

Am I calling for a port, a carbon copy of S1 or S2? NO.

Those that criticize S1/S2's gameplay as unrealistic (diving, fast-strafing, jump shooting/reloading, etc.) have to understand that realism should never compromise fun-factor. There has to be a balance. Was SOCOM, on the PS2, supposed to a simulator? No. It was just meant to be a modern, military-based tactictal shooter. The "unrealistic" features in the old SOCOM's, for the most part, did not deter our overall experiences.

Listen, the fact of the matter is, S1 & S2 were FUN and kept us coming back day after day...night after night. There are players here and there that never got to experience what us so-called veterans did, and therefore cannot possibly understand what the essence of SOCOM really is.

I'd like this generation of gamers to understand and get the opportunity to experience that feeling.

If you support the cause of bringing SOCOM back in the true fashion it deserves, please sign this petition. Pass it along to friends and associates. WE have to be heard.