We feel that the more we push, the more we fight, the more we show just how loyal of a fan base we really are, the more we inform Sony of what a great flagship online series they used to have before the formula was broken, the better our chances are that one day, we will finally get a classic SOCOM that has been LONG overdue…

With that being said, we’d like to introduce #SOCOMUNITE. Use this term anywhere and everywhere you talk or post about SOCOM. We feel as if SOCOM fans should “unite” as one and push for what we truly deserve, SOCOM in it’s original glory.

Our first phase is called “SOCOM IN ONE WORD”. The video below will explain exactly what this first phase is all about:

SUPPORT #SOCOM UNITE WITH AN OFFICIAL SIGNATURE:

Dear Kazuo Hirai,

Congrats on the new promotion. I have been reading countless articles, press releases, and I have watched numerous videos that all point towards a new CEO willing to bring some much needed changes to Sony. I know you are focused on all types of facets of the company, but I write this letter to you in order to stress the importance of the PlayStation division and future games…

The original PlayStation brought the gaming industry some historical titles with iconic characters and epic story modes that still influence game development to this day. The PlayStation 2 introduced “online gaming” to the console world, and the internet has revolutionized the industry as we know it.

The game that started it all for PlayStation’s online network was SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs. This used to be Sony’s flagship exclusive that once catered to millions of hardcore shooter fans. Over the years, we have watched the franchise take numerous twists and turns for the worse. SOCOM has tried to change itself too many times in order to mimic the current market of it’s competitors with very little success. The original SOCOM formula of the first two editions sold extremely well, and it created a voracious fanbase that has been one of PlayStation’s most vocal communities for almost a decade now.

The frustrations that the SOCOM Community feels is the epitome of a much larger issue in the gaming industry that more than just this fanbase is facing. We are seeing all types of franchises throughout the industry morph into mainstream products developed to cast a much wider net regarding their consumers. I understand a business wanting to expand it’s horizons in order to appeal to a mainstream audience. I really do. But why does Sony need a business model that REPLACES their lifelong consumer base? Why can’t Sony & PlayStation create NEW games that achieve this? Why must decade long franchises change into products that don’t satisfy the mainstream audience or it’s longtime following?

As a longtime customer of your products and services, I challenge Sony to be the company it’s lifelong consumers grew to love. I challenge Sony to cater to both groups with all new IPs, and by continuing gaming traditions that have laid the foundation for your company to be where it is today.

I challenge Sony to take the first step towards pleasing their longtime fanbase by bringing the original formula of the first two SOCOMs back from the dead. I challenge Sony to prove to the world that it’s entire business model is not centered around a temporary trend of features that most modern games are using as a palette. I challenge YOU to show us all that Sony cares about more than just the new generation of gamers. 

Thanks for your time, Mr. Hirai. The world’s largest SOCOM fansite believes that you can make a difference.

LUKENBACHER
Co-Founder of TheRealSOCOM.com

Feel free to share your thoughts and comments HERE

For iPhone, Android and other mobile phone users (or if you can’t see the player above) click HERE to listen to the podcast!

Hosts: LUKENBACHER, David Doel, rev & WarMachine_v1
Guests: PAUL-AWOL- & The SOCOM community livestream chat!

In this episode we dicsuss:

SOCOM 4
-A live audience interaction!
-The original SOCOMs
-SOCOM 5 & SOCOM 1/II HD
-Upcoming games
-How we would make a future game
-Remake/New game rumors
-TRS poll
-One Word, Subscribe on YouTube, Follow Us on Twitter

Thanks for stopping by, if you enjoyed our podcast, come discuss it over in our forums!

Rumors have been flying around within the SOCOM Community that some type of remake is in the works. The fans have been speculating if this is a SOCOM 5 or Legacy from Zipper, or even a Confrontation 2 from Slant 6. Well, one of our trusted brothers in our Community has come forward with some very interesting information…

Word is Zipper has a Small group working to see how feasible it is to translate the code from the PS2 to the PS3 and then report to Sony with their findings. Nothing official yet, of course, and no word on whether it’s S1 or S2, but my gut tells me, maybe it’s S2. No idea how long this group has been going at it or if they’ve reported anything. I just know they’re looking into it. Maybe further along then my guy even knows, at this point anything is possible.

This came from a Sony guy and not a Zipper guy. Same guy that told me S4 was in the works loooooong before it was public knowledge.

-VanilaGorila-x-

We are not quite sure what all this means, or in fact which SOCOM(s) this includes. But needless to say, this is truly exciting news. There will be all types of people out there who claim they know something on the inside, and several attempts in the past have proved to be frustrating or extremely comical depending on the level of desperation. But this source is very dependable, and most importantly, has a proven track record of accuracy. Stay tuned to TRS for more breaking news.

Original thread: http://therealsocom.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=2226

For iPhone, Android and other mobile phone users (or if you can’t see the player above) click HERE to listen to the podcast!

Hosts: David Doel & Hellman
Guests: none

In this episode we dicsuss:

SOCOM: Confrontation
-The first podcast ever featured on TRS
-TheRealSOCOM Podcast predated SOCAST
-This particular episode was the first test (no intro)

Thanks for stopping by, if you enjoyed our podcast, come discuss it over in our forums!

Finding an online, tactical shooter realm that offers a place for our clans to thrive in is not an easy task these days. Most modern, military-based shooters released during the past 5 years have been geared towards what most would call a casual audience.

As a result, we have watched countless team-driven squads roam the yearly gaming releases, searching for a new tactical experience to call home. Unfortunately for most, these efforts have yielded little more than continued frustration. Whatever the reasons may be, a bigger question has been looming over our heads for quite some time…

“What does the future hold for me, and my clan?”

Well, what if I told you I have discovered a light at the end of the tunnel? What if I told you there is a company out there ready to hear what you have to say? A company founded upon the very experience that birthed our communities, and the very real-world Heroes that our tactical games represent?

If you are like me, your first reaction may be a doubtful one, and given our tactical shooter history, this would come as no surprise.

However, I am writing this letter to inform you that your hope may soon rest in all new, never before seen source. Ladies and gentlemen, today I am pleased to introduce to you, SOFs (Special Operations Forces Studios).

There will be plenty of press releases in the coming months explaining in greater detail SOF Studios and its operations, but today, I just want to share a few key elements.

SOFs Interactive Advisory Group (IAG) is introducing to the Computer and Video Game Industry, exclusive access to the worlds most decorated United States and Allied Armed Forces, Special Operations, and Special Mission Unit warfighter fraternities, authenticity consulting, and resource integration. Optimizing, in partnership with hand-selected gaming communities, any development studios’ Armed Forces or Shooter project.

Additionally, SOFs IAG and its strategic alliances are engineering and operating the development of an exclusive, SOFs Transmedia Games and Entertainment (TGE) project. This SOFs TGE project is powered by an industry-first partnership with U.S. and Allied Forces Special Mission Unit and Special Operations warfighter communities.

Based on intel I have been able to gather, it appears that this project is driven by what SOFs is calling, “Socially Optimized Fan-Integration Protocols™” (SOF-IP™). These protocols are powered by a development process SOFs is calling “Integrative Fan-Driven Development™” (IF-DD™).

What does all this mean to you, and your clan?

It means that an online, community-driven tactical shooter experience anchored and powered by community feedback from fans like yourself, is underway. Not to mention that this project is exclusively backed by the planet’s most elite and decorated U.S. and Allied warfighter communities.

Yes, true story.

In pursuit of their strategy, SOFs has managed to partner with some major players this past year, creating what could prove to be an impact on a global scale. I would also like to point out that “rumors” indicate this franchise includes a “Third Person Tactical Shooter” development focus.

I believe we are all on the verge of a major revolution in the world of gaming, and there is an innovative force on the horizon. I am truly excited to see what 2012 has in store for us.
Stay tuned.

Feel free to share your thoughts here.