Software:The Occupation
| The Occupation | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | White Paper Games |
| Publisher(s) | Humble Bundle |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 4 |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows |
| Release | 5 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]
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]
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References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Access • The Occupation". GamesTM (Future plc) (197): 20–21. February 2018. ISSN 1478-5889.
- ↑ Withington, Emma (5 October 2017). "The Occupation – hands-on with the PS4 whistle-blowing adventure". PSU.com. https://www.psu.com/news/the-occupation-hands-on-with-the-ps4-whistle-blowing-adventure/. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
- ↑ Romano, Sal (16 January 2019). "The Occupation delayed to March 5". Gematsu. https://gematsu.com/2019/01/the-occupation-delayed-to-march-5. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
- ↑ Humble Bundle (2019-03-05). "The Occupation on Humble Bundle". https://www.humblebundle.com/store/the-occupation.
- ↑ GOG (2019-03-05). "The Occupation release announcement on GOG". https://www.gog.com/forum/general/release_the_occupation_ec7a9.
- ↑ Steam (2019-03-05). "The Occupation on Steam". https://store.steampowered.com/app/765880/The_Occupation/.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Priestman, Chris (7 May 2017). "The Occupation and the perils of politics in games". http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-05-07-the-occupation-and-the-perils-of-politics-in-games. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Donnelly, Joe (28 April 2017). "The Occupation is a politically-charged thriller that pits you against the clock". PC Gamer. https://www.pcgamer.com/the-occupation-is-a-politically-charged-thriller-that-pits-you-against-the-clock/. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
- ↑ "Hype • The Occupation". Edge (Future plc) (317): 42–43. 27 February 2018. ISSN 1350-1593.
- ↑ Wolstenholme, Dan J.. "The Occupation". http://occupation-game.com/. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
- ↑ Peel, Jeremy (2 October 2017). "Making it in Unreal: how BioShock Infinite's Elizabeth helped The Occupation". PCGamesN. https://www.pcgamesn.com/the-occupation/the-occupation-ether-one. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
- ↑ McAloon, Alissa (24 May 2017). "Balancing unpredictability and order is key for dynamic AI, says The Occupation dev". https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/298713/Balancing_unpredictability_and_order_is_key_for_dynamic_AI_says_The_Occupation_dev.php. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
- ↑ Blake, Vikki (16 May 2019). "Shortlist for Develop:Star Awards 2019 revealed". https://www.mcvuk.com/shortlist-for-developstar-awards-2019-revealed/. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
- ↑ "The Occupation for PC Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-occupation/critic-reviews/?platform=pc.
- ↑ "The Occupation for PlayStation 4 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-occupation/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4.
- ↑ "The Occupation for Xbox One Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-occupation/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one.
- ↑ Ogilvie, Tristan (4 March 2019). "The Occupation Review". https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/03/05/the-occupation-review.
- ↑ Horti, Samuel (4 March 2019). "The Occupation review". https://www.pcgamer.com/the-occupation-review/.
- ↑ "The Occupation Review (PS4)". 4 March 2019. https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/occupation.
- ↑ Wildgoose, David (5 March 2019). "The Occupation Review - On The Clock". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-occupation-review-on-the-clock/1900-6417101/.
- ↑ "The Occupation review". 10 April 2019. https://adventuregamers.com/articles/view/37470.
- ↑ Gwaltney, Javy (4 March 2019). "The Occupation - Stumbling In The Dark". Game Informer. https://www.gameinformer.com/review/the-occupation/stumbling-in-the-dark. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
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