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.
"What inspired the gangs of The Precinct"
https://store.steampowered.com/app/490110/The_Precinct/
Why gangs?
It was important for us to include gangs in our 80's arcade-sandbox police game, "The Precinct," for the following reasons:
- They allow for large-scale confrontations, enhancing the intensity of gameplay.
- They provide rich opportunities for storytelling and gameplay dynamics.
- 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.
Inspirations
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.
Our Gangs
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:
- Gangs are not divided by race or ethnicity. Instead, they include a diverse mix of men and women from various backgrounds.
- 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.
Taking down the Gangs
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:
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 🚨
