Please note that this page is only here for archiving purposes. The original article originally resided at TomsGames.Com, and was written by Rob Wright on February 20th, 2007. I do not claim any rights on this page. Save for some additional images and scripted additions, no modifications on the original text has been made.
There have been memorable villains in video game history, but none quite like SHODAN (Sentient Hyper-Optimized Data Access Network), the malicious artificial intelligence running the space station Citadel in the sci-fi horror title System Shock and its popular sequel. SHODAN goes insane after a certain hacker (the player) removes the program's ethical constraints. You don't see much of her, but she's everywhere, mocking you with her chilling, distorted voice. In System Shock 2, she really gets inside your head - so to speak.
Pros: Brilliant and powerful, SHODAN is a perfect, immortal machine
Cons: She's clearly insane and the deadliest A.I. villain since HAL-9000 in "2001: A Space Odyssey."
Should be Played By: the original voice of SHODAN, Terri Barous, who's also the former keyboardist and vocalist of the Boston rock band Tribe.