But shouldn't that be a free patch for people who own the game already?

It's already there, ie, the patch that "makes it run better" (NewDark) has already been pre-applied by GOG to all 3 Dark Engine games (SS2 and Thief 1 & 2) years ago. HD texture packs aren't pre-applied but then that's sometimes a good for games that have at least 2 different competing texture packs ones (one that changes the style quite a bit vs the other that AI upscales but remains true to form) and the "correct" one is entirely subjective.

SS2:EE exists almost entirely for the benefit of console gamers than existing NewDark patched PC owners who were uploading Ultrawide playthroughs 5 years ago...

Ah okay.

Also Nightdive wants to add a VR mode to the SS2 EE.

That's peachy, but not actual news, especially given that VR is on the wane again. Would you mind saving acts of thread necromancy until actual news comes along for a two years delay "soon" game?

The necromancy is nothing compared to the reminder that said game is still stuck in dev.

Just received an email:

System Shock® 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster
COMING SOON

Hello, Hackers!

We have some exciting news to share with you… the release of System Shock® 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is fast approaching!
In March during GDC 2025, we will announce the game’s release date during The MIX’s Spring Game Showcase livestream.

So they're going to be having to share the mindspace of the Proper Switch 2 reveal. Tough crowd.

i hope they add deleted levels and commentary to the game.

To my knowledge there weren't a whole lot of levels cut from the game. They had a scrapped alternate finale taking place in a dojo. You can find it online, but it's in a very, VERY rough state.

There certainly is room for improvement. They could for example, downplay the obvious or maybe make the ending better.

You know I decided to pre-order the SS1 remake. That game was supposed to come with a free copy of SS2: EE. This looks like an entirely new game here instead of just some graphical updates. I'm kinda wondering if they're going to honor that original deal or if they're going to stiff us since EE is being canceled in favor of the remaster. I imagine this new game is going to cost a lot more than the planted enhanced edition.

As far as I know, they confirmed some months (years? lol) ago that the enhanced edition would only include mods + Nightdive's own improvements, so I doubt it somehow escalated into a full-out remake, unless I missed something

From the email (which I added as an attachment to my first post, btw):
As a reminder, KS backers at the "Humanoid Mutant" tier and above, will receive a free key for "SS2: 25th Anniversary Remaster", when the game releases.

So - if you backed at that tier (or higher), you should be good.

But, of course: I don't work for Nightdive, so I don't know for sure.
"Wait and see", would be my advice.

That's kind of the rub, I didn't back it from kick-starter. I bought the game when it showed up for Pre-order on GOG. At that time the page for the game said that you would get a free copy of SS2:EE if you pre-ordered the game here.

Edit: okay, I went through my records and found a receipt. Kinda forgot this part but I was gifted the pre-order for the SS1 remake back in Aug 24, 2021. And it was supposed to come with the eventually SS2:EE. Found the email that said it would.