The Occupation
{{Short description|2019 video game}}
{{about|the video game||Occupation (disambiguation){{!}}Occupation}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = The Occupation
| image = File:The Occupation cover art.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| developer = White Paper Games
| publisher = Humble Bundle
| series =
| engine = Unreal Engine 4
| platforms = PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
| released = 5 March 2019
| genre = Adventure
| modes = Single-player
}}
The Occupation is a single-player adventure video game developed by White Paper Games and released on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows on 5 March 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.humblebundle.com/store/the-occupation|title=The Occupation on Humble Bundle|author=Humble Bundle|date=2019-03-05}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gog.com/forum/general/release_the_occupation_ec7a9|title=The Occupation release announcement on GOG|author=GOG|date=2019-03-05}}{{cite web|url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/765880/The_Occupation/|title=The Occupation on Steam|author=Steam|date=2019-03-05}} 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.
The game is set in late 1987 within the same universe as White Paper Games' first title Ether One.
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.
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. 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.
Development
The game was developed on Unreal 4 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. 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.
Reception
=Awards=
The game was nominated for "Best Use of Game Engine" at the Develop:Star Awards.
{{Video game reviews
| MC = (PC) 68/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-occupation/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=The Occupation for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=2021-09-26}}
(PS4) 63/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-occupation/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=The Occupation for PlayStation 4 Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=2021-09-26}}
(XONE) 69/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-occupation/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |title=The Occupation for Xbox One Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=2021-09-26}}
| IGN = 5.9/10{{cite web |last1=Ogilvie |first1=Tristan |title=The Occupation Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/03/05/the-occupation-review |website=IGN |date=4 March 2019 |access-date=26 September 2021}}
| PCGUS = 67/100{{cite web |last1=Horti |first1=Samuel |title=The Occupation review |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-occupation-review/ |website=PC Gamer |date=4 March 2019 |access-date=26 September 2021}}
| PSQ = {{Rating|6|10}}{{cite web |title=The Occupation Review (PS4) |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/occupation |website=Push Square |date=4 March 2019 |access-date=26 September 2021}}
| GSpot = 8/10{{cite web |last1=Wildgoose |first1=David |title=The Occupation Review - On The Clock |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-occupation-review-on-the-clock/1900-6417101/ |website=GameSpot |date=5 March 2019 |access-date=26 September 2021}}
| AdvGamers = {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{cite web |title=The Occupation review |url=https://adventuregamers.com/articles/view/37470 |website=Adventure Gamers |date=10 April 2019 |access-date=26 September 2021}}
| GI = 6.75/10{{cite magazine |last1=Gwaltney |first1=Javy |title=The Occupation - Stumbling In The Dark |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/the-occupation/stumbling-in-the-dark |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306071142/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/the-occupation/stumbling-in-the-dark |url-status=live |archive-date=6 March 2019 |magazine=Game Informer |date=4 March 2019 |access-date=26 September 2021}}
}}
References
{{reflist|refs=
{{cite magazine | title=Access • The Occupation | magazine=GamesTM | publisher=Future plc | issue=197 | date= February 2018 | pages=20–21 | issn=1478-5889}}
{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-05-07-the-occupation-and-the-perils-of-politics-in-games|title=The Occupation and the perils of politics in games|first=Chris|last=Priestman|date=7 May 2017|website=Eurogamer|accessdate=27 February 2018}}
{{cite magazine|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-occupation-is-a-politically-charged-thriller-that-pits-you-against-the-clock/|title=The Occupation is a politically-charged thriller that pits you against the clock|first=Joe|last=Donnelly|date=28 April 2017|magazine=PC Gamer|accessdate=27 February 2018}}
{{cite magazine | title=Hype • The Occupation | magazine=Edge | publisher=Future plc | issue=317 | date=27 February 2018 | pages=42–43 | issn=1350-1593}}
{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/the-occupation/the-occupation-ether-one|title=Making it in Unreal: how BioShock Infinite's Elizabeth helped The Occupation|first=Jeremy|last=Peel|date=2 October 2017|publisher=PCGamesN|accessdate=27 February 2018}}
{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/balancing-unpredictability-and-order-is-key-for-dynamic-ai-says-i-the-occupation-i-dev |title=Balancing unpredictability and order is key for dynamic AI, says The Occupation dev |first=Alissa |last=McAloon |date=24 May 2017 |website=Gamasutra |access-date=27 February 2018}}
{{cite web|url=https://www.mcvuk.com/shortlist-for-developstar-awards-2019-revealed/|title=Shortlist for Develop:Star Awards 2019 revealed|first=Vikki|last=Blake|date=16 May 2019|website=MCV|accessdate=20 June 2019}}
}}
External links
- [https://www.occupation-game.com/ The Occupation - game site ]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Occupation, The}}
Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom
Category:Video games set in the United Kingdom
Category:Video games set in 1987
Category:Unreal Engine 4 games
Category:Single-player video games