Last Wednesday we added 1994's X-Com: UFO Defense to our growing list of video game classics, presented by MobyGames.com.

Ask fans about X-Com: UFO Defense and you'll likely be told enthusiastic stories about what's largely regarded as one of the turn-based genre's seminal strategy games. The game put players in the role of the Extraterrestrial Combat Unit (X-COM, for short), a secret squad responsible for fending off an alien invasion by assimilating their technology. Tactical combat, global strategy, UFO lore, and a heavy emphasis on resource management joined a host of player-driven customization options in order to create X-Com: UFO Defense's incredibly beloved formula.

Read more: Shacknews community discusses X-Com: UFO Defense »

Following word that franchise owner 2K Games is "re-imagining" the turn-based tactical series X-COM as a first-person shooter dubbed XCOM, independent developer Goldhawk Interactive has announced a more traditional (and unofficial) re-imagining of its own: Xenonauts.

The studio wasn't planning to unveil the game--its first effort--until later but "large amounts of X-Com fans are understandably a little put out that the sequel will not be in the format that they know and love... this seemed a great time for us to pop our heads up and say hello." As it explained: Read more »

Have no idea what X-COM is? Always nodding and smiling when your friends reminisce about the series, carefully hiding your shameful secret? This weekend is your opportunity to prevent future game discussion embarrassment.

Valve today announced that the X-COM: Complete Pack--which includes five games from the UFO invasion series--has been reduced in price to a mere $5 on Steam. Read more »

2K Games producer and Shack family member Jason Bergman dropped by our forums to announce that the classic 90s tactical series X-COM is now available for purchase on Valve's Steam digital distribution service.

Four games from the series, listed below, have been added to the service:

• X-COM: UFO Defense (1993) Read more »