True Crime: Hong Kong the name might be dead, but True Crime: Hong Kong the game most certainly isn’t. In fact, after being purchased by Square Enix TC: HK has been given a new name, Sleeping Dogs.
Unfortunately, save for a Sleeping Dogs promotional image, which does seem to carry the same markings of True Crime: Hong Kong‘s design, Square Enix didn’t shared much in the way of details. We imagine that, when purchasing the property from Activision, there was some stipulation that the final product could not bear the True Crime moniker, but any key changes besides that are unknown.
What we had previously known, though, is that the game is slated for release in the second half of 2012, which will certainly come up fast.
At the time True Crime: Hong Kong was cancelled, it was about part way through development before Activision boss Eric Hirschberg decided it just wasn’t up to snuff. In his mind, the title needed to be at the top of the open world genre, a place reserved for properties like Grand Theft Auto, and TC: HK just wasn’t there.
Square Enix saw differently, however. They fell in love with it upon seeing the game in action, and knew that new developer United Front Games were the perfect people for the job. How much of both companies determination to do right by this game comes from proving Activision wrong is unclear, but both definitely see something.
“The extensive experience that both studios have in creating compelling open world gameplay and rich, rewarding combat makes for a perfect partnership. Working together we’re ensuring Sleeping Dogs is the most intense and immersive game it can be.”
While no delay could have helped the project for Activision, a fast and furious development at Square Enix seems to be just the ticket for Sleeping Dogs. At the time the project was cancelled it was shaping up to be an interesting blend of open-world roaming and Hong Kong-style action. Let’s just hope that Square Enix can prove this property was worth saving.
Do you think that Sleeping Dogs (True Crime: Hong Kong) has been given a second chance with Square Enix or was it always doomed to fail? How would you like to see Square Enix exert their influence on the project?
Sleeping Dogs is rumored to be targeting an August 2012 release on the PS3 and Xbox 360.
Source: Future Shop Gamer (via Eurogamer), United Front Games
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it was basically complete, all they where really doing was tidying the game up for release. activision doesn’t think anything without call of duty in its name can make money so they cut this epic looking piece loose. their loss really b/c those idiots forgot that the 2nd true crime was well taken and loved by alot of action sandbox gamers.
all that being said, i’ll prob pick this up if i can get it cheap or if i have the time/money for it, middle and end of the yr is pretty packed with AAA titles.
Yes, yes, and more yes.
I never really got into any sandbox games but when I saw this in development last year, I was actually going to buy it but ironically, it got cancelled.
As soon as I find a sandbox (GTA type of game) it gets cancelled.
I honestly thought I cursed it or something but that’s just ridiculous :’]
try the 2nd true crime game to get a feel of what this one might be like, its not as ‘social’ as gta b/c your a cop running around busting bad guys and making right/wrong decisions but its a hell of a fun game (there is an epic final boss fight with a black gangster samurai which will surly get you pumped up).