Upcoming GTA-Style Police Game Might Not Launch on PC

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The action-adventure game The Precinct, reminiscent of the GTA series, may not launch on PC, based on recent findings regarding its age rating.
Despite earlier confirmation for a PC release, the game has experienced multiple delays.
The launch is now aimed for the first half of 2025.

The upcoming game The Precinct — set in a vibrant world similar to Grand Theft Auto — has raised questions about its availability on PC at launch. Recent indications suggest that the PC version might not be ready in time for the initial release, despite prior assurances that it would be available eventually.

Developed by Fallen Tree Games, a British independent studio, The Precinct offers players a unique perspective by allowing them to step into the role of a police officer in an open-world action-adventure setting. The game was officially unveiled by the UK-based publisher Kwalee in June 2023, targeting platforms including PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Interestingly, while no staggered release has been confirmed, the recent ESRB rating announcement does not mention a PC version at all. This could suggest that The Precinct might follow in the footsteps of GTA 6 and have its PC edition delayed past the console versions. Such omissions are rare for multi-platform titles, raising concerns about potential developmental issues.

Challenges in The Precinct’s Development

The speculation about PC delays aligns with recent developments. Initially scheduled for August 2024, the game faced a setback, being pushed to a fall 2024 release. Subsequently, Kwalee announced that the launch would move to the first half of 2025. These repeated delays indicate that the development team may be encountering unforeseen challenges, which is not uncommon in the game development industry, especially for smaller teams like Fallen Tree Games, which comprises just six members, according to LinkedIn.

Additionally, there is a possibility that Fallen Tree Games has decided to expand the project’s scope due to the positive reception it has garnered since its announcement. The game’s demo has achieved remarkable success on Steam, with over 100,000 downloads shortly after its release in mid-October 2024. While adjustments to the project’s scope late in development are not unheard of, it is more plausible that the team is facing genuine developmental hurdles.

At this stage, Kwalee is not taking pre-orders for The Precinct, and pricing details remain unannounced. What is clear is that this upcoming title will immerse players in a fictional setting, Averno City, during the year 1983, where they will navigate the challenges of law enforcement while delving into an engaging neo-noir narrative.

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