System Shock 2 - Legacy

Legacy

System Shock 2 has amassed a cult following with fans, many of whom have demanded a sequel. Some fans are active in the modding community where collaborations to update the game's graphics take place. One graphical enhancement mod, entitled Rebirth, replaces many low-polygonal models with higher quality ones. Another mod, the Shock Texture Upgrade Project (SHTUP), significantly increases the resolution of in-game textures. The community at Sshock2, a fan site, have also released a free level editor entitled ShockEd, which is a repackaged version of Looking Glass Studios' own editor.

In 2007, 2K Boston/2K Australia—previously (and again, as of January 2009) known as Irrational Games—released a spiritual successor to the System Shock series, entitled BioShock. The game takes place in an abandoned underwater utopian community destroyed by the genetic modification of its populace and shares many gameplay elements with System Shock 2: reconstitution stations can be activated, allowing the player to be resurrected when they die; hacking, ammo conservation, and exploration are integral parts of gameplay; and unique powers may be acquired via plasmids, special abilities that function similarly to psionics in System Shock 2. The two titles also share plot similarities and employ audio logs and encounters with ghostly apparitions to reveal backstory. In BioShock Infinite, Irrational Games will include a gameplay feature called the "1999 Mode", specifically in reference to System Shock 2's release date, where player decisions will have a more permanent and profound impact on gameplay in the same manner as the original.

On January 9, 2006, GameSpot reported that Electronic Arts had renewed its trademark protection on the System Shock name, leading to speculation that System Shock 3 might be under development. Three days later, Computer and Video Games reported a reliable source had come forward and confirmed the title's production. Electronic Arts UK made no comment when confronted with the information. PC Gamer UK stated the team behind The Godfather was charged with its creation. Ken Levine, when asked whether he would helm a third installment, replied "that question is completely out of my hands." He expressed optimism at the prospect of System Shock 3, but he also criticized Electronic Arts' attitude towards development of the game. As of September 2012, nothing conclusive has been reported regarding the status of the purported project.