True Crime: Hong Kong resurrected by Square Enix
True Crime: Hong Kong is to be picked up by Square Enix, after Activision cancelled the game's development.
True Crime was a series of action games set from the perspective of the LAPD and NYPD, set in GPS accurate locations of the two cities. United Front Games were hired to develop a new game that would reboot the series, but was cancelled due to the lack luster sales of True Crime: New Work City, and that Activision thought the game wasn't good enough to compete in the "open world" market of games. True Crime: Hong Kong was to take place in a stylized city of Hong Kong with an undercover detective as the protagonist.
However, Square Enix have swooped in and purchased the title from Activison and are to complete development of True Crime: Hong Kong. Happy Face! Square Enix have not acquired the rights to the actual True Crime name, so game will be released under a new title. The game stays in the hands of United Front Games, but will now be managed through Square Enix London Studios.
Lee Singleton told Gamasutra:
When we met the team at United Front Games, it was a done deal in our eyes - we instantly recognised the huge potential in the game and the team.
Singleton explained that it's too early to talk about release dates, platforms, name or what the game will eventually look like, but said removing the "True Crime" name should be pretty straight forward.
Activsion Publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg said:
Our team has worked very hard to find a solution where everybody wins. Square Enix gets the benefit of the tremendous investment we've made in the game thus far. UFG gets to stay together and complete their vision. And gamers get to play a great game. We couldn't be more thrilled.
Aw, so smiles and hugs all round! - Hopefully.
[via Next-Gen Biz]
