The Westport Independent

Release Date: January 21, 2016

Simulation, 2D, indie games, experimental/artistic, singleplayer

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Steam

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Developed by Double Zero One Zero studio, The Westport Independent is a censorship simulation video game in which we assume the role of the executive director, who runs a newspaper in a fictional, authoritarian country. Our mission is to influence the public and its attitude towards the government.

Story and Gameplay
Technology

The Westport Independent is a simulation game in which you play as an executive director of a newspaper published in a fictitious, authoritarian country. By giving instructions to subordinate journalists, and deciding which information should be published and which should not, we have the power to manipulate and affect the public’s attitude towards the government. The Westport Independent for PC, AND and iOS was developed by Double Zero One Zero.

Story and Gameplay

As the executive director of the newspaper, you deal with all the fundamental aspects of the editor’s office work – from hiring journalists, through selecting the articles to be published, to censoring or correcting content of the newspaper. The decisions you make will have an impact on the team you lead. Some of them may not agree with your views and protest, or even hand in their resignation. Even though the game allows you to stay politically neutral, taking one side or the other is the backbone of gameplay. Support either the authority, or the opposition, and use your newspaper in order to turn the tide in favor of your side.

The relationship between characters play an important role in The Westport Independent. Each of your crew members has their own personality, political preferences, and history – all of these influence the way the journalists write, and with whom they side. Not only do we find out about their personal preferences through the notes we obtain while hiring new staff members, but also during coffee-breaks, when the whole team gathers and discusses the current events. Many times we have to make morally difficult decisions concerning both the content of the newspaper and the personnel policy.

Technology

Visually, The Westport Independent for PC, AND and iOS resembles Papers, Please – a game for PC and iOS. Simple, slightly pixel graphics, coupled with monotonous, depressing colors help to achieve a dismal atmosphere corresponding ideally to the reality of the game’s totalitarian country.

Last updated on February 10, 2016

Videos and Screens

[1:21] The Westport Independent trailer

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