I know many here already know what's up with System Shock rights and such, but I and many people didn't know the details (hopefully this is accurate) and found this post interesting.

http://www.systemshock.org/index.php?topic=2981.0

(If you see people complaining about SS not being on here and don't feel like explaining, maybe you could refer them to this post. My apologies if this is a repost.)

Personally I really hope a new one doesn't come out because I just don't see it being anywhere near as good. Bioshock was ok but it was pretty much just a shooter with a couple of elements tacked on and that's what I see System Shock 3 as becoming.

I am with serpantino in this case. I was so dissapointed with the BioShock Games and Deus EX...i do not want that a big company makes a new SystemShock with ultra streamlined CoD gameplay...

However if Frictional Games(Amnesia and the Penumbra games) would make a new SystemShock i would be all in. Or another small company without the need to make the game more compelling to the masses(which isnt always bad...but not in this case).

Scary gameplay - an omnipresent AI which never fails to bash you YOU INSECT - environmental interactivity(like penumbra) - reading/hearing mails - play a game in a game - fitting graphics - the loneliness of the old sysshock games - adventure and discovery like the metroid games.

that is all i want from a new Systemshock. I do not want another BioShock, DeusEx or that failed attempt to revive Syndicate. Go back and look what was great about the old games and copy that. Hell....it works for Dungeon Master just look at Legend of Grimrock. Why shouldnt that be possible with the greatest franchise in existence?

So that's why GOG can't sell System Shock....ok.

I have SS2 and after reading some online forums on how to overcome the installation and tech problem, I installed the SS2 tool and was able to get SS2 up and running.

However, if anyone still needs that system shock fix, you can purchase a used copy of SS1 on Amazon for around $25...not sure about SS2.

There's always the abandonware route, but personally, I would rather buy it for $6 or $10 from GOG

I've been pondering whether, in theory, it might be possible for GOG to buy the rights (if they collect enough "sway" in the industry, especially with new games being sold here) by entering into a (DRM-free) agreement with Star/Meadowbrook Insurance to give back a share of the profits, then go on to make a deal with EA. Don't get me wrong, the dead horse has been beaten to a bloody pulp, but I still ponder.

I also wonder if we gamers could collectively express interest in this to Meadowbrook/EA. Maybe create a change.org petition? ;)

A recent interview mentioned it. Yes they are working on it, no they can't talk about it.

Dissapointment with Deus Ex ... ok... but with BioShock 1 & 2....??? Both BioShocks are pretty damn good games... When you have to make a deal with 2 greedy companies... nah it will be pretty damn hard to see SystemShock here

I was so close ... and you depressed me enough to not finish. :P

What do we want?
"Enter into an agreement with GOG(.com) over the rights to the System Shock series, and ultimately allow the original two titles to be sold again."

Who do we want it from?
"Meadowbrook Insurance Group"

Why is this significant?
"The history of computer and video games is important to some people, as is the opportunity to play games that are historically important. More importantly, it is /well-made/ classic games that should be easily offered to the public for purchase, allowing them a chance to experience and /enjoy/ gaming history.
Along with Doom, Duke Nukem 3D, GoldenEye, Quake, and Half-Life, the System Shock series helped to define the early first-person shooter genre and elements of other genres and game storytelling. (It has gone on to inspire the creation of series like Bioshock and Dead Space.) Shooting and role-playing elements were meshed within a sci-fi setting, filled with atmospheric horror and edge-of-the-seat tension as never done before (or, arguably, since). As such, both System Shock and System Shock 2 are viewed as classics in the eyes of gamers and game historians alike.
Unfortunately, today the series languishes like the hacker in SHODAN's clutches, and the rights are held onto likewise. Electronic Arts holds the trademark to the System Shock franchise, while Star Insurance (a subsidiary of Meadowbrook Insurance Group) owns the rights to the series, having purchased them after Looking Glass studios (the company that helped develop System Shock 1 and 2 along with Irrational Games) folded. Sadly, with the collective rights in at least two different places at once, and neither party apparently willing to reach out on behalf of gamers, the ability to re-sell such beloved classics is currently not available.
That is something that we, as gamers who have a deep affection for the classics (having played certain ones or not), would like to change, and this writer believes GOG (initially known as Good Old Games, who developed a web presense for selling classic games tweaked to work on modern systems)..." (unfinished)

I'm going to hang onto this text, because I'm actually kind of proud of myself. ;)

Sadly the biggest issue is that both EA & Meadowbrook - want the piece of pie they will get if they release the game digitally.
Both parties are to greedy to understand the normal gamers - We want all the classics we can get our hands on ....digital on GOG with neat extras.

Sadly we will have the same issue with getting Max Payne 1 & 2 here... Remedy still have some rights on it... and yet Take-Two owns the IP....

Btw very nice text mate.