Ancient Machine Studios and Skybound Games today revealed VICE NDRCVR, a new interactive thriller, set in the secretive and deadly world of Miami’s drug cartels from the 1980s.
In VICE NDRCVR, players will assume the role of a deep-cover cop stationed in an alternative 1980s Miami, ravaged by brutal and oppressive crime cartels, which rule the city with an iron grip. Utilizing the early inception of the world wide web that the crime lords have exploited for their own benefit, players will infiltrate the cartel’s computer system deep within the organization’s building and make life-or-death decisions that impact the course of the weaving narrative.
“VICE NDRCVR represents everything we love about 1980’s pop culture, from the neon aesthetic, synth soundtracks, and homages to classic crime cinema and TV,” says Cos Lazouras, co-founder of Ancient Machine Studios. “We’re doing it with a twist and a healthy dose of paranoia; it’s an alternative Miami in the ‘80s, where technology existed much earlier than reality. How would a narco-war under these conditions unfold?” Ancient Machine Studios Co-founder Miguel Periago added, “The VICE NDRVCR storyline is a complex thriller with twists that will surprise the player at every turn.”
Using the immaculately crafted Amigo OS that evokes memories of classic operating systems of the era, players will maintain their cover while searching through secret communications, uncovering confidential documents, and helping the cartel conduct its deadly business. Each piece of information gained brings players closer to uncovering more about the cartel organization and putting an end to its reign of terror from within.
But impersonating a computer operator is full of risks. The cartel’s building is rife with hitmen and dirty cops who would love nothing more than to put a stop to an undercover agent, so players must always be vigilant and observe their surroundings as they comb through the intricate system, reviewing camera footage, and monitoring nearby activity to ensure their safety.
Featuring 1980s-inspired animated cutscenes, retro-style news reports, and an instantly catchy synth-wave soundtrack; players must do all they can to survive each gripping day as they walk the thin line between a cop and a criminal.
“We’re delighted that the team at Ancient Machine Studios decided to partner with Skybound on their debut title VICE NDRCVR,” said Ian Howe, Managing Partner, Skybound. “This passionate team of veterans holds game development credentials across the past several decades, and now we’re thrilled that they’re bringing their incredible expertise to a truly unique game, oozing in 80s style.”
VICE NDRCVR will be available on PC via Steam, and more details on the game including its availability will be shared in the coming months.
VICE NDRCVR has not yet been rated by the ESRB.
Based in Barcelona and London, Ancient Machine Studios is a new indie studio formed in 2018 by three veteran game developers, who have been working in the industry since the early 90s. Some of their previous credits include Wolverine: Adamantium Rage, The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay, and F.E.A.R 2: Project Origin. VICE NDRCVR is Ancient Machine Studio’s debut title.
Skybound Games, a division of Skybound Entertainment, collaborates with creators to publish, produce, develop, and license exceptional video game IP across a variety of genres and platforms. The Skybound Games publishing slate includes Telltale’s The Walking Dead, Before Your Eyes, Rainbow Billy, and The Big Con among others.
As a strategic partner of Striking Distance Studios, Skybound Games brings its global marketing and distribution capabilities to the highly-anticipated survival-horror game The Callisto Protocol.
The Skybound Games team also manages the physical distribution of several award-winning indie games including Boneloaf’s Gang Beasts, and alongside partner iam8bit, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Untitled Goose Game, and more.