Zipper hiring for next-gen project

Longtime SOCOM developer looking for people to work on a "large-scale multiplayer game on a next-generation console."

With Sony's recent acquisition of Zipper Interactive, it was a safe bet the SOCOM series developer was going to be put to work on a project for the mammoth publisher's highly anticipated PlayStation 3.

Freshly updated job postings on Zipper's official Web site confirm as much. Among other positions, the developer is looking for a senior server engineer to develop "server side components for a large-scale multiplayer game on a next-generation console." A senior network engineer is sought to develop client-side components for the same, while other positions make more generic references to development on a next-generation platform.

Given that Zipper's last four titles have all carried the SOCOM label, a PS3 installment of the tactical military shooter seems like a no-brainer, and certainly could fit the description of a "large-scale multiplayer game." A Sony representative gave GameSpot the ol' "neither confirm nor deny" treatment when asked about the possibility of a Zipper-developed PS3 SOCOM. According to the representative, "As a wholly owned subsidiary of SCEA, Zipper will be exploring development across all brands of the PlayStation family but a title for PS3 has not been announced."

55 Comments

  • wildmanjb77

    Posted Mar 25, 2006 12:26 pm PT

    How do you hate socom 3! I mean i know the graphics arent the best, but the game play is solid. There is hardly any lag considering you dont pay for service or anything. Besides, 32 players adds more stradegy to the game, not less and the addition of customazation and vehichles adds even more gameplay and stradegy. My only suggeestions would be total customization of online characters, splitscreen mode, and destrucable enviroments. better graphics would be nice, but that will come with the PS3. I love the socom series and i have every single socom game. If this one for the PS3 isnt socom, im going to be pissed

  • Kiri90

    Posted Feb 26, 2006 12:07 am PT

    I really like Socom, for the fact of the gameplay and the fun I have with my clan when I play. I think that Zipper should have done better with Socom 3 in the sniping perspective. I practically always snipe when playing, and find it to be a thrill. However, on Socom 3 sniping has become too easy. Not only does it take less skill, but the M16 in Socom 3 is almost as good as a real sniper, and I wish that would change. Even with this being the case, I'm excited for their being another Socom game. I will most definitely buy this game and enjoy playing it with my clan and friends on Playstation 3 where the graphics and gameplay will be even better.

  • krazeelegs

    Posted Feb 18, 2006 4:09 pm PT

    Many people are being unreasonably bias here. Socom 3, is the best socom out to date in terms of how it deals with lag, graphics (even though it's not much of an improvement), and gameplay.

    I will agree though, Socom 3 does lack the addicted feeling the others had. I think a few of you who bash Socom have not tried it. There's also about 40,000 people who played last night who would tell you different

  • gojoshgo

    Posted Feb 17, 2006 3:35 pm PT

    "i didn't play it but all games have those options why not socom? that my opinion "

    of course you can ... 2 players, 4 players, etc ...

  • way_eXtreme

    Posted Feb 17, 2006 1:03 pm PT

    u people are stupid and complain to much! ask any socom legend, and they will tell u that socom III is in fact the best socom to date, but they will agree that it is not as addicting and immersive as s2.

  • louister96

    Posted Feb 17, 2006 10:12 am PT

    SOCOM 4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • s0l0123

    Posted Feb 17, 2006 9:12 am PT

    probably SOCOM 4! ROFL.

  • VaryagPT

    Posted Feb 16, 2006 5:32 pm PT

    yeah those whos bashing socom 3 are saying the same thing "socom 1 was the best, socom 2 was good, but socom 3 sucks becouse... hummm like the other guy said the small lagy maps with 32 ppl and... (what did he said? oh right! it sucks..." some are saying the true, others are PS2/socom haters saing bad about the game they never played and never tried to play... hum thats realy great! but i never played the gmaes but im gona buy the Socom: FTB for psp or SOCOM 2 for ps2 don't know. But its always good news. New hardware maybe better online conection less lag.... by the way the game must have a choise to play either 8, 16 or 32 players right? all other games have, and this game miraculosly doesn't have? i didn't play it but all games have those options why not socom? that my opinion

  • o_sausage

    Posted Feb 16, 2006 5:27 pm PT

    360 maybe.... or are they owned by sony like bungie microsoft

  • Xanog1

    Posted Feb 16, 2006 3:11 pm PT

    I'm guessing that now anyone who bashes PS2 is instantly an expert on stuff :/

  • molivers7

    Posted Feb 16, 2006 12:20 pm PT

    More SOCOM....boring.

  • ZabuzaR

    Posted Feb 16, 2006 11:59 am PT

    How is SOCOM 3 dissapointment? Its obvioulsly one of the best online games for the Playstation 2. Worth more your time then Halo 2.

  • Safe_Bet

    Posted Feb 16, 2006 11:44 am PT

    After the dismall disappointment SOCOM 3 was/is, it's hard to get excited about a SOCOM 4.

    The series is going to have to "re-earn" my faith in it before I even consider playing/buying a new SOCOM.

  • fmafan3030

    Posted Feb 16, 2006 11:15 am PT

    I loved socom 3 it is da best military game EVER, now what is wrong with ya all

  • dwoop

    Posted Feb 16, 2006 10:40 am PT

    Oh WOW!! (Sony Fan Boys rejoice!) Now you get more "exclusive" incompetent military online strategy games for the PS3...

  • -Chill

    Posted Feb 16, 2006 10:16 am PT

    It could be a PSP title.

  • xAlphaZerox

    Posted Feb 16, 2006 10:15 am PT

    I would get my hopes up, but each game in this series was worse than the last one.........and Sony has yet to show anything on the PS3's online set-up. If history repeats, they don't have one.

  • kaziechameleon

    Posted Feb 16, 2006 8:40 am PT

    wow socom is funny only because it's one of the worst games that got great reviews. CS anyone, it was basically a CS style clone in third person. if that was ever compared to other shooters that game sucked.

  • Paul_TheGreat

    Posted Feb 16, 2006 8:21 am PT

    I can't wait for Socom 4.

  • dru26

    Posted Feb 16, 2006 7:01 am PT

    Some of the smaller maps couldn't run smooth with 32 people, way too laggy. Others were so big, a few stragglers would keep the round going forever while they didn't even try to meet the objective.

  • paradyme777

    Posted Feb 16, 2006 6:27 am PT

    I've never actually played any SOCOM games, so I'm not sure if this would be something to look forward to or not.

  • SavoyPrime

    Posted Feb 16, 2006 6:14 am PT

    I think it's safe to say that it will be a SOCOM game.

  • GoddBless

    Posted Feb 16, 2006 6:07 am PT

    I've never played SOCOM but I heard it was a great game. Well at least the first 2. It's not until now I'm hearing about how horrible 3 was. From what I do know, SOCOM is really the only game worth playing online with SONY. I hope they can redeem themselves with it next-gen, since it appears to be their bread & butter online.

  • ufopuller

    Posted Feb 16, 2006 5:40 am PT

    I'll help

  • jakeboudville

    Posted Feb 16, 2006 4:20 am PT

    i can't wait for this

  • ewjim

    Posted Feb 16, 2006 3:50 am PT

    I hope it will be NOT ONLY on-line game...

  • Socomnewbie

    Posted Feb 16, 2006 3:35 am PT

    Well after playing Socom 3 online for awhile it grew on me. So i dont hate it as much as some of the people on gamespot. But it is true if they Think by making
    better graphics and same crappy gameplay, and terrible lag, and constant disconnect's, and not to mention when the server act's up and just boots people massively all at once. I wont want to pay any $$$ for crap like that.
    Socom 2 was higly Addictive. But 3 was a step down, and i registered my stupid credit card info to get extra stuff. It was not worth it, all you get is a buddylist and the ability to write and recieve e-mail. and you can join a clan woo hoo how exciting. Hopefully Zipper can redeem themselves with the "New Project"

  • GastaS

    Posted Feb 16, 2006 3:18 am PT

    socom suck all day

  • CLONING

    Posted Feb 16, 2006 2:58 am PT

    socom for PS3 = cool

  • Reetesh

    Posted Feb 16, 2006 12:36 am PT

    Next gen Games in production!!! Should be something unexpected rahter than Socom

  • gojoshgo

    Posted Feb 15, 2006 11:37 pm PT

    all maps were playable with 32 players unless you chose the small version which was meant for games less than 32.

  • RacerSVT

    Posted Feb 15, 2006 11:16 pm PT

    Hopefully it is another game for the SOCOM series... that would be sweet.....

  • dru26

    Posted Feb 15, 2006 10:15 pm PT

    Socom 3 was a bit of a letdown, alot of maps were unplayable with 32 people. Other maps were rediculously one sided. It's not much fun waiting 4 minutes watching a jack ass drive around doing donuts.

  • M5

    Posted Feb 15, 2006 10:10 pm PT

    opinion is not fact and should not be treated as such. Socom 3 was still good to play. Its hard to improve on a good thing. The PS3 version will be much better and more engaging. Guns and war...i smell a republican in office, do u?

  • iwannarockagain

    Posted Feb 15, 2006 9:46 pm PT

    Man, Socom 3 is horrible. Socom 1 and 2 were so addictive and great, then the Zipper released the turd that is socom 3. There are so many bugs in the game that it's not even funny. It really is an unfinished game. It really isn't socom anymore. I was really good on it, but it still just wasnt fun. I returned it and imback on socom 2 now....socom 1 was the best out of all of them, but DNAS wasn't out then so cheaters over took that....

  • Sandro909

    Posted Feb 15, 2006 9:10 pm PT

    Buncha PS2 haters... Really, Socom 3 couldn't have been that bad.

  • gojoshgo

    Posted Feb 15, 2006 9:04 pm PT

    First off, only one Socom 3 hater explained why .. and that was bashing the single player mode.

    Why the hate for the online play? When I play, lag is only a factor maybe 10% at MOST .. which is not bad comparing to other servers. It is slightly less strategic that previous Socoms but just get in a clan and that will be solved. My guess is the haters just suck online, if you dont then give a valid reason. If you state lag, you just have a shoddy connection. If you state strategy, get in a good clan.

  • Miriani

    Posted Feb 15, 2006 8:25 pm PT

    Only thing I've ever seen Zipper do, and maybe one of the only things they've done well, is Mechwarrior 3 (PC).

  • Cartman86

    Posted Feb 15, 2006 8:19 pm PT

    Just adding more players is not going to fix anything. They need to completely revamp the gameplay for that to even be any fun. The original Socom was great, because it had the CS type gameplay (very very strategic if right people) with 8 people on a team. Pushing it up to 16 caused confusion on teams. Too many people caused more lag and just less OH MAN YOU DID IT DUDE! To me going back to the traditional style would be great. If not completely change it up and add more players.

  • HuhJustaBox

    Posted Feb 15, 2006 8:10 pm PT

    Socom should have the plug pulled. I loved Socom one. Socom II was decent, but Socom III was a complete waste of money. I realize that it is known for multiplayer, but I like the single player element. Socom III lost me as a supporter being that I beat the game in under 5 hours!!!! C'mon where is the love to single player. If you are going to make such a short single player campaign, then take it out all together and make an online only game. You SUCK ZIPPER!!!!!!!!!

    Did you hear that sound just now? That was me zipping up Zippers body bag on the craptacular Socom series. Way to let down your fans with a miserable 5 hours of gameplay!!!!! I want my money BACK!!!!!!!

  • SolidFear

    Posted Feb 15, 2006 8:06 pm PT

    I can't wait for a next-gen Socom game. Socom 3 was AWESOME, so I'm super hyped for this, and large scale sounds, well, large...like 64 players+...And I don't see whay everyone hates Socom...Oh wait, it's probably because it the best online game...Anyway, it's pretty much going to be Socom, so I'm happy.

  • stovich

    Posted Feb 15, 2006 7:46 pm PT

    Unfortunately, yes it is. It's sad that most of these stories are generously peppered with large helpings of sarcasm & insults from people that wouldn't know the first thing about actually producing a game, but sure are professionals(?) about criticizing it.

  • Neo_Strife100

    Posted Feb 15, 2006 7:39 pm PT

    Is this hate normal on Gamespot?

  • ruttness

    Posted Feb 15, 2006 7:35 pm PT

    cottage-cheese and cabbage? same thing

  • blackIceJoe

    Posted Feb 15, 2006 7:32 pm PT

    This should be good I hope the game will be good.

  • Mirage5

    Posted Feb 15, 2006 7:11 pm PT

    Zipper making SOCOM 3 was a disaster, and now they want to go next gen. It would be a good idea to fix all those problems they have with there craptacular service in S3. My biggest concern is there un-modded official message boards.

    Another lackluster sequal to SOCOM 3. If I had to pay a next gen subscription fee to play online I wouldn't even consider it, especially if the game is THAT BAD (Socom 3). Please to god Zipper if your going to make another multiplayer game at least try. Don't just put your art guys, and level designers to work to make new graphics. Its getting to the point where 'some' developers say to each other, hmm....

    Pompus Developer : "Hey you want to put crap out so we can get paid"
    Lazy Developer : "You know I do"
    Pompus Developer : "Yea who said the average is 9 million to produce a game"
    Lazy Developer : "Lets just make new textures and some new stuff, no one will know"

    I mean seriously this is the period right before everything goes next gen, try get it RIGHT!
    (This is why I don't post much!)

  • xxPantherxx

    Posted Feb 15, 2006 7:03 pm PT

    hopefully, this Socom game isn't as bad as Socom III(something I can't put my finger on just turned me away from the online mode)

  • Donkeljohn Site moderator

    Posted Feb 15, 2006 7:01 pm PT

    . . . uh, Xanog, I knew them better as the developer for Crimson Skies (PC for those not in the know) than for SOCOM.

  • Xanog1

    Posted Feb 15, 2006 6:48 pm PT

    It's so obvious that 1. It's a PS3 project and 2. It's Socom.
    Reason being is that they are owned by Sony, so they wouldn't really make a game for one of the other two next-gen consoles, Also, why would Zipper suddenly stop working on the only project they are known for? I mean, when they have the chance to further expand the series.
    Anyways, good to see, maybe I'll apply.

  • nemes1s3000

    Posted Feb 15, 2006 6:35 pm PT

    I'd love to see a Socom game for the PS3.

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