What Country Is Contraband Police: Game Setting Explained
Contraband Police is a thrilling video game. It lets players be a border guard in a made-up communist country called Acaristan. Crazy Rocks Studios made it, and PlayWay published it in March 2023. It takes players back to the Cold War era, where they deal with border control and customs.
Players are in charge of a border post. They have to check passports and entry permits carefully. They decide who gets in and who doesn’t, facing challenges like smuggling and illegal goods.
Setting and Background of Acaristan
Contraband Police takes you to Acaristan, a fictional communist country in 1979. It’s set in the Cold War era. This place is inspired by Eastern Europe and is the stage for the game’s law enforcement and anti-smuggling battles.
Communist Era Setting of 1979
Acaristan is deeply rooted in communist ideology. Its politics and culture are shaped by the Cold War. Players face the challenges of this era, where law enforcement battles smuggling and controls borders.
Cultural and Political Influences
The game’s world is inspired by Eastern Europe. The name “Acaristan” hints at Afghanistan. The game’s language, guns, and places show influences from Russia’s Kamchatka Krai.
Geographic Location in the Game World
The game takes place in Karikatka, a part of Acaristan. It’s a rough area filled with crime. The Oberankov gang runs smuggling and raids police bases. There’s a high police presence, leading to many confrontations.
| Notable Locations in Karikatka | Description |
|---|---|
| Vlad’s Tools | A workshop where players can acquire tools and equipment for their law enforcement duties. |
| Sawmill | An industrial site that serves as a hub for smuggling activities and criminal operations. |
| Carat Motel | A dilapidated motel that provides temporary lodging for travelers, as well as a gathering place for the local criminal element. |
| Police Base | The central command center for law enforcement agencies in Karikatka, where officers coordinate their anti-smuggling efforts. |
| Concentration Camp | A grim reminder of the oppressive nature of the communist regime, this location adds to the game’s somber and gritty atmosphere. |
| Rostovka | A small village in Karikatka that serves as a hub for local residents and a possible hotspot for crime. |
What Country Is Contraband Police Based On
Contraband Police is set in the fictional country of Acaristan. But it takes inspiration from Eastern European and Central Asian nations. The game’s developers mixed cultural and political influences to create a unique experience.
The game is set in the 1980s, near the end of the Soviet era. Players become a border inspector for the Acarist People’s Republic. They must check vehicles and travelers at a key checkpoint.
The game focuses on the challenges of international trade laws and border control. Players face many tasks, like checking documents and making decisions. These tasks affect the success of their missions.
Contraband Police stands out for its realism and focus on border control. It captures the essence of post-Soviet border operations. The game offers a unique and engaging experience for players.
Border Control Operations in Contraband Police
In Contraband Police, players become border control agents. They work to follow customs rules and stop illegal goods from moving. The game makes players check passports and visas carefully. This ensures they match the people showing them.
Smuggling Prevention Tactics
Stopping smuggling is key in the game. Players must stay alert to catch and stop illegal goods. They use tools like UV lights and checklists to search vehicles and cargo.
The game’s realistic feel adds tension. Players need to work fast but also keep security high.
Security Protocols and Procedures
Contraband Police also focuses on border post security. Players handle different situations, like armed smugglers and fast chases. The game’s detailed approach makes border control feel real and immersive.
Game Development by Crazy Rocks Studios
Contraband Police, a border control simulation game, was made by Crazy Rocks Studios and published by PlayWay. It took over six years to create, using the Unity engine. The team grew from three to five members during this time.
The game costs $19.99 and offers about 12 hours of story-mode play. It’s for mature audiences, showing some violence and strong language. It has an 8 out of 10 rating and over 4,000 positive Steam reviews, with 94% of feedback being positive.
On its release day, Contraband Police hit a peak of 8,100 players. It was the 5th top earner in its first week. This shows the hard work and skill of the Crazy Rocks Studios team, led by Staszek Gromadowski with over 20 years of experience.
The game was inspired by “Papers, Please” from 2013. It combines border control, decision-making, and cultural immersion. It features dialogue in Serbian, Hungarian, Russian, and Polish to make the game feel real.
Crazy Rocks Studios is working on more for Contraband Police. Soon, it will be available on Xbox and PlayStation consoles. This will make it even more appealing to fans of simulation and border control games.
Law Enforcement Systems and Mechanics
In Contraband Police, players become law enforcement officers at a border post. They do routine checks and special missions to fight smuggling. The game tests players’ decision-making in tough situations.
Border Post Management
Players manage their border post’s daily tasks. They check documents, search for contraband, and decide who to let in. Being detail-oriented and following security rules is key to success.
Special Missions and Interventions
Contraband Police has special missions and interventions. Players must be ready to act fast, like responding to tips or stopping smugglers. Quick reactions are needed to keep the border secure.
Vehicle Inspection Protocols
Vehicle checks are a big part of the game. Players search for hidden items and fake documents. They use different methods to find contraband and stop smuggling.
Weapons and Equipment Available
Contraband Police is a gritty border control simulator. It gives players tools and weapons to guard Acaristan, a fictional communist country. Players must verify documents and inspect vehicles to fight smuggling.
The game offers many vehicle types, from small micros to tough 4x4s. These vehicles help with transport, prisoner moves, and cargo checks. Police cars like the Azar-V, Zaved, and Grazduk have special features for their jobs.
- Micros 26D
- Zaved
- Azam 72
- Varila 4×4
- Azar-V
- Zagr 53
- Grazduk
- Ilich 57
Border guards also have various tools and equipment. They can use crowbars, knives, and axes for their work. Special tools like UV flashlights help with inspections. Players can use sniper rifles, shotguns, and automatic rifles for tough situations.
Contraband Police focuses on realistic border control. It prepares players for challenges like managing money, making tough choices, and catching suspects. Players work to keep Acaristan’s borders safe.
Success and Reception in Gaming Market
Contraband Police has made a big splash in the gaming world. It quickly paid back its development costs in just two days. This shows how much players loved it from the start.
In the first month, it sold over 250,000 copies. By the end of the first year, it had sold about 800,000 copies. This brought in a whopping $10 million in revenue.
The game has also gotten great reviews from critics. On Metacritic, it’s seen as “generally favorable” based on 10 reviews. Players have given it lots of positive feedback on gaming sites.
Sales Milestones and Achievements
- Contraband Police recouped its entire development budget within 2 days of release.
- The game sold over 250,000 units in the first month.
- After the first year, Contraband Police reached approximately 800,000 copies sold.
- The game generated a net revenue of $10 million within the first year.
Critical Reviews and Player Feedback
Contraband Police has gotten lots of praise from critics. Metacritic says it’s “generally favorable” based on 10 reviews. Players have also given it lots of positive feedback on gaming sites.
| Critic Reviews | Player Feedback |
|---|---|
| Metacritic score: “Generally Favorable” | 94% positive reviews on Steam |
| 10 critic reviews aggregated | Overwhelmingly positive feedback |
Gameplay Features and Mechanics
Contraband Police mixes puzzle-solving with simulation, focusing on border control. Players manage a border post, check documents, inspect vehicles, and catch smugglers. It’s all about keeping the border safe.
The game has a long campaign set in a month in the game world. Players face different scenarios and make choices that shape Acaristan’s future. These choices involve border control, stopping smuggling, and checking vehicles.
One key feature is the endless mode, added in March 2024. It tests players to keep the border safe forever, facing new challenges as they go.
The gameplay is both tough and fun. Players must carefully check vehicles, noting damage and counting cargo items. They can also choose to destroy vehicles to find hidden goods, making it exciting.
Despite its focus on rules, Contraband Police is light-hearted and funny. It offers optional story missions, adding depth and variety.
While it doesn’t have the emotional depth of Papers, Please, Contraband Police is engaging. Players face danger from rebel groups while driving, adding tension.
Overall, Contraband Police is a unique and fun game. It combines puzzles, simulation, and decision-making. The game’s detail and new challenges keep it exciting.
Conclusion
Contraband Police is a unique game set in the fictional country of Acaristan. It draws inspiration from Eastern European and Central Asian countries. The game has done well in sales and has received positive feedback from players.
The game mixes routine tasks with intense action. Players do everything from checking documents to facing bandit raids. The game also has a morality system that changes the story.
Reviewers have praised the game’s detail, pacing, and driving mechanics. But, some have noted technical issues and concerns about the story balance. Despite this, Contraband Police is a standout game that combines border patrol simulation with action FPS.
Its success in sales shows it has a dedicated fan base. This suggests that Contraband Police will continue to attract players who enjoy immersive and thought-provoking games.
