The Occupation

Last updated

The Occupation
The Occupation cover art.jpg
Developer(s) White Paper Games
Publisher(s) Humble Bundle
Engine Unreal Engine 4
Platform(s) PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
Release5 March 2019
Genre(s) Adventure
Mode(s) Single-player [1]

The Occupation is a single-player [1] adventure video game developed by White Paper Games and released on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, [2] and Microsoft Windows on 5 March 2019. [3] [4] [5] [6] The game takes place in a single government building, in real-time over four hours. The game advances with or without input from the player, but almost all in-game actions can affect the game's story. [7]

Contents

The game is set in late 1987 within the same universe as White Paper Games' first title Ether One . [8]

Gameplay

The game does not have a health bar or energy system, when the game needs to punish the player it does so by using up the player's time, for example if a player is caught doing something they should not, they are taken to a security office and lose 15 minutes of game time, which shortens the time available to achieve the main aim of the game, obtaining knowledge. [9]

Plot

Prior to the start of the game; a terrorist attack has killed 23 people and led the British Government to create The Union Act, a "controversial act which threatens the civil liberties of the British population."

The game's plot starts at 3:27 PM on 24 October 1987. [10] The player character is a journalist that is researching The Union Act, players have freedom of choice on how to act; become a whistle blowing journalist fighting against the act, or do nothing as the game progresses on its own. [7]

Development

The game was developed on Unreal 4 [11] and uses dynamic artificial intelligence, which combines scripted activities for the in-game characters, along with deviations to their normal routine based on their in-game requirements or interactions. [12] The developers illustrated this by explaining the actions of a character called Dan, a Scottish Muslim who is a "towering bald man who screams security", he breaks his usual desk based routine, because of his need to pray at certain times, creating a circumstance that the player can take advantage of should they wish. [8]

Reception

Awards

The game was nominated for "Best Use of Game Engine" at the Develop:Star Awards. [13]

Related Research Articles

<i>Unreal Tournament 3</i> 2007 first-person shooter video game

Unreal Tournament 3 (UT3) is a first-person arena shooter video game developed by Epic Games and published by Midway Games. Part of the Unreal franchise, it is the fourth game in the Unreal Tournament series, and the eighth and final game overall; its name is in reflection of the game being the first in the franchise to use Unreal Engine 3. It was released on November 19, 2007, for Microsoft Windows, December 10 for the PlayStation 3, and on July 3, 2008, for the Xbox 360. OS X and Linux ports were planned, but they were eventually cancelled. A free-to-play version, entitled Unreal Tournament 3 X, was leaked in late 2022 and cancelled in 2023.

<i>Zapper: One Wicked Cricket</i> 2002 video game

Zapper: One Wicked Cricket! is a platform game for the Xbox, GameCube, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance, and Microsoft Windows. For most platforms, it was developed by Blitz Games and published by Infogrames Interactive; Atomic Planet Entertainment developed the Game Boy Advance version. Zapper was released in North America in 2002 and 2003 in Europe. On November 17, 2008, Zapper became available on Xbox Live as part of the Xbox Originals range. On February 15, 2024, Zapper was rereleased for Microsoft Windows on GOG and Steam platforms.

<i>TERA</i> (video game) 2011 video game

TERA, also known as TERA Online, is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by Bluehole Studio, a subsidiary of Krafton. The game was released in South Korea on 25 January 2011, in North America on 1 May 2012, and in Europe on 3 May 2012, with closed and open beta tests taking place before the launch dates. Nexon, Krafton, and Gameforge published the game in these regions, respectively. En Masse Entertainment was the North American publisher, until September 2020, while Atari handled physical distribution. In February 2013 the game was renamed to TERA: Rising concurrently with the game's launch to the free-to-play model.

<i>Dungeon Defenders</i> 2010 video game

Dungeon Defenders is a hybrid multiplayer video game developed by Trendy Entertainment that combines the genres of tower defense and action role-playing game. It is based on a showcase of Unreal Engine 3 named Dungeon Defense. The game takes place in a fantasy setting where players control the young apprentices of wizards and warriors and defend against hordes of monsters. A sequel titled Dungeon Defenders II was released in 2015.

<i>Terraria</i> 2011 video game

Terraria is a 2011 action-adventure sandbox game developed by Re-Logic. The game was first released for Windows and has since been ported to other PC and console platforms. The game features exploration, crafting, building, painting, and combat with a variety of creatures in a procedurally generated 2D world. Terraria is one of the best-selling video games of all time, selling 58.7 million copies as of 2024.

<i>Unmechanical</i> 2012 video game

Unmechanical is a 2.5D puzzle video game developed by now defunct Swedish studio Talawa Games and published by Teotl Studios. It was released in 2012 for Windows. It was later available for iOS. It is available on Steam, GOG.com, GamersGate, OnLive, Rain, Desura and on the App Store. Unmechanical: Extended is an extended edition of the original game, developed by Czech developer Grip Games. It features new levels and bonuses. It was also released for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in 2015.

<i>Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons</i> 2013 video game

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is a 2013 adventure game developed by Starbreeze Studios and published by 505 Games for Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Nintendo Switch, and Amazon Luna. The narrative takes place in a fantasy world filled with fictitious creatures such as orcs and trolls, where two young brothers set out on a journey to find a cure for their father's illness. The game is often mentioned as an example of artistry in video games due to its heavy narrative. It received positive reviews from critics and had sold over 800,000 units by January 2015.

<i>Tales from the Borderlands</i> Episodic video game

Tales from the Borderlands is an episodic interactive comedy graphic adventure sci-fi video game based on the Borderlands series. It was developed by Telltale Games under license from Gearbox Software, the developer of the Borderlands series, and 2K, its publisher. The game was released in November 2014 for Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, OS X, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and in 2021 for Nintendo Switch.

<i>The Vanishing of Ethan Carter</i> 2014 video game

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a 2014 horror adventure video game developed and published by The Astronauts for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.

<i>Armello</i> 2015 video game

Armello is a 2015 digital role-playing strategy board game developed by League of Geeks. Announced as an iPad title in September 2012, the game has been in development since mid-2011, with music by composers Lisa Gerrard and Michael Allen. Between April and May 2014, a successful Kickstarter campaign was started to help fund a port to Microsoft Windows as well as stretch goals to bring the game to Android and Windows tablets. The game was chosen to receive additional support from governmental funding agencies Screen Australia and Film Victoria.

<i>Minecraft: Story Mode</i> 2015 video game

Minecraft: Story Mode is an episodic point-and-click video game developed and published by Telltale Games, based on Mojang Studios' sandbox video game Minecraft. The first five episodes were released between October 2015 through March 2016 and an additional three episodes were released as downloadable content (DLC) in mid-2016. A second season consisting of five episodes was released in 2017.

<i>Borderlands: The Handsome Collection</i> 2015 video game

Borderlands: The Handsome Collection is a compilation of first-person shooter video games developed by Gearbox Software and published by 2K. The Handsome Collection consists of both Borderlands 2 (2012) and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (2014) for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, along with all of their accompanying downloadable content, enhanced local multiplayer, and the ability to transfer save data from their respective PlayStation 3 /Vita/PSVR and Xbox 360 versions. A port to the Nintendo Switch entitled Borderlands Legendary Collection was released in North America on May 29, 2020 along with the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions, which additionally includes the first Borderlands. For The Handsome Collection, Borderlands 2 was ported by Iron Galaxy Studios and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel by Armature Studio. The Legendary Collection port was handled by Turn Me Up Games and Behaviour Interactive.

<i>Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders</i> (2016 video game) 2016 video game

Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders is a point-and-click adventure mystery video game developed by Artefacts Studio and published by Anuman under their Microïds brand for Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in February 2016. It was later released for Nintendo Switch in October 2020.

<i>Minit</i> 2018 adventure video game

Minit is an action-adventure video game developed by Jan Willem Nijman, Kitty Calis, Jukio Kallio, and Dominik Johann. The game is published by Devolver Digital and was released on April 3, 2018, for Windows, macOS, Linux, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4. On May 11, 2018, a Nintendo Switch version was announced on the first episode of Indie World, a web series from Nintendo of Japan that showcases indie games coming to the Japanese Nintendo eShop. It was released for the Nintendo Switch on August 9, 2018. It also came out for mobile devices in June 2019.

<i>Conarium</i> (video game) 2017 video game

Conarium is a Lovecraftian horror adventure video game, inspired by H. P. Lovecraft's novella At the Mountains of Madness. The game was developed by Turkish game development studio Zoetrope Interactive, published by Dutch indie game publisher Iceberg Interactive, and was first released for Microsoft Windows in June 2017. It was subsequently ported to Linux and macOS in 2018, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2019, and the Nintendo Switch in 2021.

<i>Gravel</i> (video game) 2018 racing video game

Gravel is a 2018 racing video game developed by Milestone srl and published by Milestone and Square Enix for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. MacOS and Linux ports by Virtual Programming were released in January 2019.

<i>Samurai Shodown</i> (2019 video game) 2019 video game

Samurai Shodown is a 2019 fighting game developed and published by SNK for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Stadia, Xbox Series X and Series S, Android and iOS via Netflix Games, and Windows as an entry in the Samurai Shodown series, as well as a reboot to the series. An arcade version was released by Taito.

<i>State of Mind</i> (video game) 2018 graphic adventure game

State of Mind is a 2018 graphic adventure game developed and published by Daedalic Entertainment. A cyberpunk story set in the near future, the game explores transhumanist themes. The game was released for Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One in August 2018. It received mixed reviews upon release.

<i>Spellbreak</i> Free-to-play battle royale online video game

Spellbreak was a free-to-play, class-based third-person shooter video game developed by Proletariat for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch, released on September 3, 2020.

References

  1. 1 2 "Access • The Occupation". GamesTM . No. 197. Future plc. February 2018. pp. 20–21. ISSN   1478-5889.
  2. ↑ Withington, Emma (5 October 2017). "The Occupation – hands-on with the PS4 whistle-blowing adventure". PSU.com. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  3. ↑ Romano, Sal (16 January 2019). "The Occupation delayed to March 5". Gematsu. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  4. ↑ Humble Bundle (5 March 2019). "The Occupation on Humble Bundle".
  5. ↑ GOG (5 March 2019). "The Occupation release announcement on GOG".
  6. ↑ Steam (5 March 2019). "The Occupation on Steam".
  7. 1 2 Priestman, Chris (7 May 2017). "The Occupation and the perils of politics in games". Eurogamer . Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  8. 1 2 Donnelly, Joe (28 April 2017). "The Occupation is a politically-charged thriller that pits you against the clock". PC Gamer . Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  9. ↑ "Hype • The Occupation". Edge . No. 317. Future plc. 27 February 2018. pp. 42–43. ISSN   1350-1593.
  10. ↑ Wolstenholme, Dan J. "The Occupation". occupation-game.com. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  11. ↑ Peel, Jeremy (2 October 2017). "Making it in Unreal: how BioShock Infinite's Elizabeth helped The Occupation". PCGamesN . Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  12. ↑ McAloon, Alissa (24 May 2017). "Balancing unpredictability and order is key for dynamic AI, says The Occupation dev". Gamasutra . Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  13. ↑ Blake, Vikki (16 May 2019). "Shortlist for Develop:Star Awards 2019 revealed". MCV . Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  14. ↑ "The Occupation for PC Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive . Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  15. ↑ "The Occupation for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive . Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  16. ↑ "The Occupation for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive . Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  17. ↑ "The Occupation review". Adventure Gamers . 10 April 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  18. ↑ Gwaltney, Javy (4 March 2019). "The Occupation - Stumbling In The Dark". Game Informer . Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  19. ↑ Wildgoose, David (5 March 2019). "The Occupation Review - On The Clock". GameSpot . Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  20. ↑ Ogilvie, Tristan (4 March 2019). "The Occupation Review". IGN . Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  21. ↑ Horti, Samuel (4 March 2019). "The Occupation review". PC Gamer . Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  22. ↑ "The Occupation Review (PS4)". Push Square . 4 March 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.