When we embarked on the ambitious task of creating an original story set in the beloved RoboCop universe, one fundamental question drove our creative process: Why tell THIS story?" We discovered not one but two compelling reasons that fuelled our passion for this project.
First and foremost, as devoted fans, we couldn't ignore the intriguing gaps that existed between the second and third movies. There was the untold story of what led to the Japanese firm Kanemitsu Corporation’s acquisition of Detroit's powerful conglomerate OCP. Then there was the fate of OCP’s enigmatic chairman and antagonist, the Old Man. Furthermore, the repercussions of the events portrayed in the second movie remained a mystery. We felt we were able to fill in these gaps, which compelled us to set our story between the second and third films.
But there was more to it than just filling in gaps in the timeline. The timeless themes explored in the RoboCop movies resonated with us on a profound level. Themes such as loss, sacrifice, the defence of the vulnerable, and the dire consequences of selfishness and greed have always been intrinsic elements of the franchise. We wanted to delve deeper into these themes and make them central to our story.
To accomplish this, we incorporated both familiar and new characters into our narrative canvas. While RoboCop has always been a lone wolf, he's had unique allies around him. We decided to bring these beloved characters into our game alongside some original ones.
Police officers like Anne Lewis illustrate the true meaning of sacrifice in the fight for justice, and the inclusion of an intrepid reporter adds depth to our storytelling.
We also added a young boy who has tragically lost his father and is an eager recruit yearning for recognition. Through these characters we explored the theme of fatherhood, something that was taken away from Alex Murphy.
Our story wouldn't be complete without a good-hearted criminal seeking redemption, which explores the theme of who deserves a second chance.
But it wasn't just the heroes; we also crafted new villains who challenge our perception of humanity and at what point a person ceases to be human.
In RoboCop: Rogue City, players interact with these characters and have the power to change their destinies, for better or worse. These choices permanently shape the game world and leave it in a different state than how they found it.
We recognized that a RoboCop story should be a satirical yet cautionary tale at its core. It should effortlessly blend retro sci-fi vibes with the gritty elements of a crime drama. We have carefully crafted a story that we believe seamlessly integrates into the RoboCop universe and potentially answers questions that have lingered unanswered for some time.
We have taken familiar elements and woven them together with new ones, creating an exhilarating 80s-style adventure. But beyond the adrenaline-pumping action, our narrative transforms into a thought-provoking police drama, enriched with sci-fi elements, which asks players to confront ethical dilemmas and allows them to arrive at their own answers. In "Rogue City," you won't just play a game; you'll embark on an epic journey through the rich and ever-evolving world of RoboCop.
RoboCop: Rogue City is set to release on 2 November 2023 and is available for preorder on Steam. Stay up to date with the latest news, developer blogs and trailers by following us on Twitter or joining our official Discord server.