User:Kippieuk/sandbox

Police Simulator: Patrol Officers is a simulation video game developed by the independent Studio Aesir Interactive and published by Astragon Entertainment. The game was made first available in Early Access through Steam on June 17, 2021. The game was released on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on November 10, 2022.

Gameplay
Police Simulator: Patrol Officers takes place in the fictional city of Brighton which is based on Boston and puts the player in the role of a patrol officer. The game is structured in shifts which are split into Morning, evening and night duties. Every shift, however, has random call-outs take place

By fulfilling tasks rightfully, the player collects so-called 'Shift Points' that will be transformed into experience points at the end of each shift. The number of experience points is influenced by the 'Conduct Points' which start at 100 and will decrease should the player behave unlawfully. By collecting enough experience points, the player can rank up and collect Duty Stars, unlocking new tools and events.

The player has access to a variety of tools such as handcuffs, a radar gun, flashlights, a photo camera, road flares, a stun gun, a handgun, a pull over sign, citation book, a police computer, and others. In addition, the player can choose between three patrol cars (or six if you bought the DLC’s) for faster movement around the city.

Throughout the shift, events such as NPC s littering, fake IDs, jaywalking, speeding, drug dealing, wallet thefts, car accidents, and assaults and robberies can happen. For some of these violations you can give the NPC a ticket or a verbal warning but for more severe crimes you can arrest the NPC.

Development
Police Simulator: Patrol Officers is being developed by German development studio “Aesir Interactive” and published by Astragon Entertainment with public funding by FilmFernsehFonds Bayern. It was announced on February 10, 2021. The game released in early access on June 17, 2021 for PC on Steam.

Regular updates were released since the start in early access, including a cooperative multiplayer mode for up to two players. A public roadmap is available on Trello, laying out current and future plans.

On August 2, 2022 it was announced that the game is scheduled to release on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S later on November 10, 2022. The game left Steam Early Access and therefore fully launched on PC at the same time.

Updates
A series of updates have been released since the start of the game in early access. The Background Check Update, released in July 2021, included an option to perform ID checks to identify stolen or fake ID while also introducing a new patrol car, a board computer, and a new district. The Nightshift with Friends Update, released in August 2021, included a two-player co-op multiplayer, night shifts, road flares, a flashlight plus a few new violations. The Operation Anti-Drug Update, released in November 2021, added a new district, a new patrol car, drug dealers, and graffiti sprayers. The Keys to the City Update, released in January 2022, introduced a free roam mode and smaller new in-game events. The Holding Cells Update, released in April 2022, added holding cells in the precincts of the city, the option to escort arrested people to those, plus support for community-made mods. The Traffic Management Update, released in July 2022, added Traffic Cones, Road Barriers, and options to redirect both traffic and citizens. The Stacking Charges Update, released in August 2023, added the ability to charge a NPC with multiple charges and violations. The Garage Update, Released in July 2023, added the garage to the Precinct to repair, change and organise your vehicle. The Crime Scene Update, released in Oct 2023, added crime scenes to the game and the ability to investigate crimes with the addition of the Securing Poles and evidence markers. The Tackling update, released in December 2023, which introduced an alternative to the stun gun by tackling the suspect.

Reception
German magazine GameStar said that "the game has much potential even this early in the Early Access phase. Patrolling the streets is quite entertaining". GameStar critizes the quality of animations, the AI, and a lack of replayability reasons but still says that the game is 'the best police simulation thus far'.

On Steam, the game was reviewed by players as 'very positive'.