This weekend at a PAX East panel, Firaxis announced that it is in the process of porting its critically acclaimed strategy game XCOM: Enemy Unknown to iOS and that it will be available sometime this summer.

xcomios
While speaking with Joystiq, XCOM: Enemy Unknown Lead Designer Jake Solomon said that gamers can expect a similar experience to the console and PC versions of the game.

"It is a straight port. We have not made any gameplay exceptions," XCOM: Enemy UnknownLead Designer Jake Solomon told us. "You play the exact same game [as on PC or consoles], it's just now fully playable on an iPhone or an iPad."

Solomon also said that the game would include the Elite Soldier DLC and that the "full game" is being ported over to iOS devices. This would be a relatively major milestone for iOS gaming, as it represent a full port of a high-profile console and PC game that was released just six months ago.


The move comes a month after the game was announced for Mac with a launch date of April 25. XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a re-imagining of the classic 1994 strategy game "X-COM: Enemy Defense" and was developed by Firaxis and published by 2K Games for consoles and PC.

In the game, players are tasked with leading secret government organization XCOM to defend the world against aliens. They oversee base management in addition to combat strategies while maintaining relationships with countries to fund their organization and save the world.

Although no price has been announced, Soloman said that it will be at a "premium price point," which would likely put it in the $15 range.

Top Rated Comments

Earendil Avatar
168 months ago
$15 is a bit much though, for a game that's just a straight port of something that's already a year old isn't it?
if they'd brought it out on iOS alongside the PC and console versions, then sure, $15 would be reasonable.
But i think i shall wait for another month or two for the price to inevitably fall to $5. i've waited this long, i can wait a little longer.

How look how far we've come, that this can even be an expectations. Why, when I was a kid playing games on my Mac, the "port" came out 3 years later, buggy, and still cost full price and your first born. AND in order to even acquire the game one had to walk to a physical store, uphill both ways. Sometimes it snowed.

$15 is more than fair.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
canman4PM Avatar
168 months ago
$15 is a bit much though, for a game that's just a straight port of something that's already a year old isn't it?
if they'd brought it out on iOS alongside the PC and console versions, then sure, $15 would be reasonable.
But i think i shall wait for another month or two for the price to inevitably fall to $5. i've waited this long, i can wait a little longer.

And games over 1 year old are typically $20+ for the PS3, so...
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
blueroom Avatar
168 months ago
Hurry up and take my money.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Renzatic Avatar
168 months ago
No doubt. And here I was all excited to get it on Mac. Now I'm not sure which way I would go....
My suggestion? The iPad. I already own the game, played through a good chunk of it, and I'm getting it again just because...

A. PORTABLE XCOM! YEEAAAAHHH!

B. The gameplay style is practically made for touchscreen controls.

C. I want to support developers who release full on proper games for the iPad, so we'll get more of them in the future.

D. PORTABLE XCOM! YEEAAAAHHH!

The downside is you'll have to wait another couple of months for the game, and the graphics probably won't be quite as good on the iPad as they are on the PC and Mac, but...hell...

PORTABLE XCOM! YEEAAAAHHHH!

----------

AND in order to even acquire the game one had to walk to a physical store, uphill both ways. Sometimes it snowed.
Sometimes it snowed? What are you? Some kinda wuss who grew up in wussyland? We had to fight polar bears every time we stepped outdoors in my neck of the woods. I lost both my brothers and my sister walking to the video store to rent Mario 3 back in the Blizzard of '89. 'Ole Leroy ate well that night, let me tell you...
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dr McKay Avatar
168 months ago
Sometimes it snowed? What are you? Some kinda wuss who grew up in wussyland? We had to fight polar bears every time we stepped outdoors in my neck of the woods. I lost both my brothers and my sister walking to the video store to rent Mario 3 back in the Blizzard of '89. 'Ole Leroy ate well that night, let me tell you...
How look how far we've come, that this can even be an expectations. Why, when I was a kid playing games on my Mac, the "port" came out 3 years later, buggy, and still cost full price and your first born. AND in order to even acquire the game one had to walk to a physical store, uphill both ways. Sometimes it snowed.

$15 is more than fair.


Have at you!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DaveMcM76 Avatar
168 months ago
only iOS port? no OSX? and not on steam? sad

Mac version is out in about 4 weeks as it says under the video.....


The move comes a month after the game was announced for Mac with a launch date of April 25.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
imac video apple feature

Apple Makes Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever

Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:45 pm PST by
Apple recently acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to Financial Times sources. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone maker Beats in 2014. This is also the largest known Apple acquisition since the company purchased Intel's smartphone modem business and patents for $1 billion in 2019....
Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
iphone 16 pro colors 1

Apple Begins Selling Refurbished iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro Models at Lower Prices

Wednesday February 4, 2026 7:44 am PST by
Apple today began selling certified refurbished iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max models on its online store in the U.S., with prices discounted by 12% to 22% compared to Apple's current or former pricing for the devices. Here were Apple's starting prices when the devices launched in September 2024: iPhone 16: $799 iPhone 16 Plus: $899 iPhone 16 Pro:...
Apple TV Color

Apple TV Announces 12 New Shows and Films Coming This Year

Wednesday February 4, 2026 12:29 pm PST by
Apple on Tuesday previewed 12 new shows and films that will be premiering on the Apple TV streaming service throughout 2026. The new series: Imperfect Women — March 18, 2026 Margo's Got Money Troubles — April 15, 2026 Widow's Bay — April 29, 2026 Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed — May 20, 2026 Cape Fear — June 5, 2026 Lucky — July 15, 2026 The new films: Eternity — ...