The Hong Kong crime action of 'Sleeping Dogs' continues in 'Triad Wars'

 

 

Game developer United Front Games recently announced that it would be unveiling its next project, "Triad Wars." The name was trademarked by publisher Square Enix last year, with the only information being that it would be "another game based in the Sleeping Dogs universe" and promised "more information" about it in 2014. 

 

And just as promised, the Vancouver-based studio revealed "Triad Wars," billed as an online open-world action adventure game for PC set in Hong Kong, the very same city in which "Sleeping Dogs" took place. Scheduled for release in 2015, players are challenged to rise to power as "a criminal kingpin of the Triad underworld," and that "it's up to you to construct an empire the likes of which your enemies would never dare to mess with."

 

On top of establishing "lucrative, albeit questionable operations" that are 'necessary' to earn fat stacks of illicit cash, '"Triad Wars"' will challenge players with missions filled with shooting, driving and melee combat much like its predecessor, 'Sleeping Dogs.' "In Hong Kong, the action never stops and your rivals aren't going down until you put them there," "Triad Wars" community manager James Baldwin writes on the official site.

 

Baldwin, together with design director Steve Ferreira and senior producer Justin Bullard opened an "Ask Me Anything" (AMA) forum on Reddit to answer questions about '"Triad Wars"'. 

 

The three elaborated that "strategy-based empire building components," would be added alongside the action mechanics retained from 'Sleeping Dogs.' They reiterate several times that '"Triad Wars"' would be an online game, but described the experience as "asynchronous" and therefore less like an MMO, despite the competitive aspect of strategic empire building.

 

 

Collectively, they said the best way to experience and understand how '"Triad Wars"' will work is to play it, which is why they've begun taking sign-ups for a closed beta. (https://triadwars.com/beta-registration)  “We’re going to convince you in the best way possible,” said Bullard. “You’re going to get to try it for free and decide for yourself!” 

 

Question regarding a full, proper sequel to 'Sleeping Dogs' were met with the reply that '"Triad Wars"' is currently the focus for United Front, with emphasis that it is only one of many opportunities to explore that universe. 'Sleeping Dogs' was released in 2012, after Square Enix picked up the publishing rights to the project from Activision, where it was under development as 'True Crime: Hong Kong.' 

 

The open world action game cast players as renegade cop Wei Shen, who goes undercover with the Triads and struggles to uphold the law and maintain his cover. While the game was criticized for its thin 'Infernal Affairs'-inspired plot and underdeveloped side missions, it was lauded for its unique setting, brutal combat and smooth driving controls. 

 

 

Although "Sleeping Dogs" was regarded well by gamers and critics, publisher Square Enix declared the game sold below expectations, selling 1.75 million copies in half a year, and short of the hoped for 2-2.5 million. The sales of 'Sleeping Dogs' and other titles published by Square like Hitman: Absolution and Tomb Raider were attributed as reasons behind the company's weak performance in 2012, and the subsequent resignation of its president.

 

United Front Games expects "Triad Wars" to evolve over time based on player feedback. In a video released with the announcement, character designer Robert Olivera says, "This thing's a living, breathing thing. It's just going to keep evolving. I'm excited to figure out what it's going to be in two years. It could be a completely different game, and that's really exciting."   — TJD, GMA News