Remastered that fixes the most annoying part of the 2002 original

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Important takeaways

  • The Thing: Remastered will have no scripted burst-out sequences.
  • Forced infections are widely regarded as one of the most frustrating parts of the 2002 original.
  • While the new infection system will be fairer, it will also be harsher, as it will make certain NPCs even more likely to get infected and turn into a monster.



The Thing: Remastered will not feature any scripted “burst-out” sequences where characters are forced to become infected, Nightdive Studios has confirmed. The upcoming remaster will therefore eliminate what is widely considered to be the most annoying aspect of The Thingbut it will do so in a way that doesn't make the game any easier.

Originally released in 2002, The Thing is still heralded as one of the best arctic horror games ever made. It largely owes its cult status to a unique infection system inspired by John Carpenter's iconic film. The basic idea behind this mechanic is that almost any NPC can become infected and turn into the titular “thing” and thus turn against their former allies. Some fans found the system quite unforgiving, especially since the game also had several scripted sequences where certain NPCs would become infected and “burst out” even if the player did everything right.


The Thing remastered playable characters key art

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The Thing: Remastered reveals a new look at the game

The 2002 survival horror remake of the licensed The Thing video game gets a new presentation of its gameplay and improved graphics.

This annoying aspect of the game will remain in the annals of history, as recently confirmed by Mark Atkinson, the director of the 2002 original and consultant on Nightdive Studios' upcoming remaster. Speaking to Syfy, Atkinson revealed that the modernized version of the survival horror game has zero scripted burst-out sequences, ensuring that the system no longer adds stress by essentially cheating with forced infections. “The infection system was implemented and available in the original game, but there were a few places where teammates would get infected and burst out for no reason, which players really disliked,” Nightdive software engineer Josh Dowell said of the reasoning. behind this change.



The thing: Remastered's infection system will be more unforgiving

Although the removal of scripted burst-out sequences will be Nightdive's The Thing: Remastered less frustrating, the overall experience doesn't get any easier. On the contrary, Dowell says the developers decided to make certain NPCs more prone to infection, so while the overall system will be more fair, it will also be more unforgiving.

The infection system was implemented and available in the original game, but there were a few places where teammates would get infected and burst out for no reason, which players really disliked.

To see how direct contact with The Things monsters will now be the only way to get infected, players will at least be able to optimize their runs and replay sections to minimize the number of tragedies they experience. Even if they don't turn into monsters, teammates will still have a chance to be so traumatized that they “coerce and lash out,” Atkinson said.


While the upcoming horror game currently lacks an official release date, its June announcement promised a 2024 launch, leaving limited time for it to reach that goal. That said, Xbox seems convinced about it The Thing: Remastered will debut on December 5th. Aside from the last two generations of Microsoft's consoles, the modernized version of the game is also slated to land on PS4, PS5, Switch and PC.

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