Deep Cover

[Tain]

Screens: http://www.somethingstrange.com/ttlg/deepcover/

Work began in early 1999 on a modern-day stealth-based game called "Deep Cover". This was a joint project with Irrational, similar to the System Shock 2 project. Looking Glass was to provide a version of the Dark Engine while Irrational would provide the bulk of the game design. Unfortunately, finding a publisher for this project took 9 months.

As a result, Looking Glass’ cash shortage began to catch up with it. Payments to Irrational were affected, placing Irrational in danger of extinction. As a result, Irrational informed Looking Glass that it was looking for other work, and eventually found it in November 1999 in the form of a contract for a Playstation 2 game. Shortly after Irrational signed onto its new project, Looking Glass came to an agreement with Microsoft to publish Deep Cover in conjunction with Irrational - but Irrational felt it had to pull out of the Deep Cover project to honor its own recently-signed contract elsewhere.

The rights and materials to Deep Cover reverted to Looking Glass, and Looking Glass was allowed to continue to hire the services of the Deep Cover design team from Irrational. Microsoft, however, was unhappy that Irrational would not be involved in the manner originally intended. Despite negotiations, Microsoft pulled out of the deal in February 2000.

I'd always wanted to see a game like this based on the Thief/SS2 engine. A pity.

[NeoZeedeater]

It looked like it had potential. I never knew the details as to why it was cancelled(other than financial problems) so that was interesting to read. I wish Irrational's "other work"(The Lost) they mentioned would come out. It has been so long now that I doubt it will.