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Play The Precinct at BitSummit

[h3]The Chief is requesting backup on the streets of Averno City.[/h3]


We’re excited to announce that we'll be showcasing a playable demo of The Precinct at BitSummit this year!

BitSummit is being hosted at Miyako Messe in Kyoto from Friday July 19th until Sunday July 21st.


https://store.steampowered.com/app/490110/The_Precinct/


You are Officer Nick Cordell Jr. As a rookie beat cop fresh out of the Academy, you’re on the front line of defence for Averno’s citizens. Dive into a world of thrilling car chases, procedurally-generated crimes, and a healthy dose of 1980s noir as you protect the populace and solve the mystery of your father’s murder in the line of duty.

If you’re at the event, come find us on the Kwalee stand to chat with our team and see if you have what it takes to keep the streets of Averno City safe.

If you want to get a better idea of what The Precinct has to offer, check out our Day in Averno trailer here 👇


[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

[h3] Got a burning question that you want answered? Comment down below!

Want to keep up-to-date with the latest police reports?

Then don’t forget to wishlist The Precinct, join our Discord server, and follow us on social media at @theprecinctgame 🚨[/h3]



The Precinct Launches on August 15th 👮

[h3]Training Academy is coming to an end and you’re all ready for the mean streets of Averno City.


We’re thrilled to announce that The Precinct will be releasing on August 15th![/h3]

https://store.steampowered.com/app/490110/The_Precinct/

You are Officer Nick Cordell Jr. As a rookie beat cop fresh out of the Academy, you’re on the front line of defence for Averno’s citizens. Dive into a world of thrilling car chases, procedurally-generated crimes, and a healthy dose of 1980s noir as you protect the populace and solve the mystery of your father’s murder in the line of duty.


The Precinct combines police sim detail with action sandbox spectacle. Patrol the streets and respond to callouts to fight criminals petty and powerful. Choose your own tactics in thrilling chases and shootouts. Feel the shifting power struggles of Averno's gangs in a living city full of procedurally generated crimes, from parking infractions to bank heists, street racing to drug deals.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

We’re excited to send all of you rookies out on the beat and watch the crime rate drop in Averno City.


If you’re interested in knowing more about The Precinct, don’t forget to check out our Developer Diaries! In them, we’ve discussed the inspiration behind the game itself, Averno City, the ACPD, and gangs around the city.


[h3]So buckle up them utility belts, charge them tasers, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below![/h3]



We’re Showcasing a Brand New Trailer at the Future Games Show

[h3]Message from the chief: He wants you all to get a load of this. Something about it being “totally rad” as the kids would say.[/h3]


https://store.steampowered.com/app/490110/The_Precinct/


Watch the Future Games Show Summer Showcase this Saturday (June 8th) to get the first look at a brand new trailer for The Precinct!




You can watch live on Twitch and YouTube on Saturday, June 8th at 12pm PT / 3pm ET / 8pm BST.


Chief wants a report on his desk straight after you’re done.


[h3] Got a burning question that you want answered? Comment down below!

Want to keep up-to-date with the latest police reports?


Then don’t forget to wishlist The Precinct, join our Discord server, and follow us on social media at @theprecinctgame 🚨[/h3]



Dev Diary IV - Gang Inspiration

There have been rumours amongst officers that some of the worst criminals have got together to form gangs. The Chief isn’t going to be happy about this.

[h3]"What inspired the gangs of The Precinct"[/h3]

https://store.steampowered.com/app/490110/The_Precinct/

[h3]Why gangs?[/h3]
It was important for us to include gangs in our 80's arcade-sandbox police game, "The Precinct," for the following reasons:

  1. They allow for large-scale confrontations, enhancing the intensity of gameplay.
  2. They provide rich opportunities for storytelling and gameplay dynamics.
  3. They mirror the broader crime epidemic that plagues the city, adding realism.


Following on from the overwhelming enemy encounters in "American Fugitive," we wanted to replicate that excitement in "The Precinct." However, this being a cop experience, players are encouraged to call for backup during large-scale confrontations, promoting a more strategic approach to navigating dangerous areas.

Players will encounter spontaneous events such as gang versus gang shootouts and drive-bys. The main storyline involves assisting in the dismantling of major gangs by arresting their captains and underbosses, and collecting evidence against the leaders.

Thematically, the widespread gang activity highlights the socio-economic unrest the city faces and contributes to a palpable 'dangerous city' atmosphere.


[h3]Inspirations[/h3]
When we began developing the concept of a city overrun by gangs for our game, we drew inspiration from a wide range of sources, including:

  • Video games, notably the GTA series, which are known for their dynamic and immersive criminal underworlds.
  • Movies such as "The Warriors," "The Godfather," "Year of the Dragon," and "Scarface," each offering a unique take on gang culture and organized crime.
  • Real-world events and the actual dynamics of gang activities, especially gang structures and hierarchies.




We were captivated by the colorful and eccentric appearances of the gangs in "The Warriors," and their unique outfits heavily influenced our design. Similarly, the memorable gangs from "Chinatown Wars," especially the Triad and Mafia factions, also provided significant inspiration for our aesthetic and character design.


[h3]Our Gangs[/h3]
We aimed to design each gang in our game with distinctive attire that would make them recognizable, yet subtle enough for individual members to blend into a crowd on the street. This design choice enhances the gameplay by allowing players to approach gang members who appear to be minding their own business, creating a tension-filled moment as players wonder whether these individuals are on their way to commit a crime. Players can interact with these characters, observing their reactions, but they should not search them without Reasonable Suspicion.

In terms of establishing who or what each gang represented, we established two key rules to govern our approach:

  1. Gangs are not divided by race or ethnicity. Instead, they include a diverse mix of men and women from various backgrounds.
  2. Gang territories are not fixed geographically, such as East Side versus West Side. Instead, gangs can roam freely throughout the city.

We're excited to delve deeper into the specifics of the gangs soon, but for now, we'll keep their names and specific looks under wraps to avoid spoilers.



[h3]Taking down the Gangs[/h3]
In the game, you'll join forces with detectives as part of a specialized gang task force. Under the close supervision of the Chief — who is under pressure from the city mayor — you and your partner will collaborate with a criminal informant (CI). This ‘snitch’ will gradually provide you with intelligence on gang activities, leading to a series of raids, shootouts, and pursuits across different locations. More details on this will be shared soon.

In the meantime, we’ll leave you with some concept art for gangs that didn’t make the cut:





[h3] Got a burning question that you want answered? Comment down below!

Want to keep up-to-date with the latest police reports?


Then don’t forget to wishlist The Precinct, join our Discord server, and follow us on social media at @theprecinctgame 🚨[/h3]



A Day in Averno City

Listen up, Rookies! Training Academy is almost over and you’re going to be working on the mean streets of Averno City, a place riddled with crime and scoundrels who think they’re above the law.

As a new recruit, you are required to watch this training video on what to expect when you’re working the beat as an Averno City Police Officer. Save any questions for the end.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

[h3] Got a burning question that you want answered? Comment down below!

Want to keep up-to-date with the latest police reports?


Then don’t forget to wishlist The Precinct, join our Discord server, and follow us on social media at @theprecinctgame 🚨[/h3]