SpyParty

SpyParty is a social deduction stealth video game developed by Chris Hecker. SpyParty was first shown at the Experimental Gameplay Workshop at the 2009 Game Developers Conference.[1] Hecker describes his game as "an asymmetric multiplayer espionage game, dealing with the subtlety of human behavior, character, personality, and social mores, instead of the usual spy game explosions and car chases".[4]

SpyParty
Developer(s)Chris Hecker, [1] John Cimino
Publisher(s)Chris Hecker
Artist(s)John Cimino, Reika Yoshino[2]
EngineCustom
Platform(s)Windows, OS X
Release
Genre(s)Stealth
Mode(s)Multiplayer

Gameplay
SpyParty Beta Gameplay
A spy attempting to complete a mission

A round of SpyParty is played between two players, one of whom is designated "the spy" while the other is designated "the sniper". The spy must attempt to blend in with a number of non-playing characters within a high-society cocktail party setting while completing a pre-determined number of espionage missions (such as planting a bug on a character designated “the ambassador”, or communicating a code phrase to a double agent known to both players) within a time limit. The sniper, who is viewing the party from the outside and does not know which avatar is the spy, must observe all of the characters to deduce which one it is.[5] The sniper wins the round if they identify the spy and shoot them or if the spy runs out of time without finishing their missions. The spy wins the round if they complete all of their missions or if the sniper shoots any character other than the spy.

SpyParty Beta Gameplay
Sniper gameplay

Hecker has stated that there will be modes beyond the current two-player Spy vs. Sniper game in the future once the core game design is complete.[6]

Development

Development of SpyParty began in 2009.[1] Signups for an invite-only closed beta opened in May 2011.[7] Beta access for the public opened in June 2013.[8]

To help with the illustrations in the game, John Cimino joined the SpyParty team in September 2011[9] and the updated artwork was revealed to the public the following year on SpyParty's official website.[10]

In early October 2013, Hecker and Cimino released new character and environment art to the open beta.[11] This included five new playable characters and one new level, "Modern". Chris Hecker uses the words "illustrative" and "timeless" to describe the new art style[12] and has stated a goal of being "the most diverse game ever".[13] As of October 2016, there are 21 characters available for players.[2]

A February 2014 update added replays to the game.[14] The feature was designed to help new players improve their skills.[15]

Despite claiming in March 2010 that the game would be released in two years,[16] Hecker has not provided a release date for the final product, apart from a somewhat humorous tweet saying the game is still another two years away from completion in March 2013. In late 2017, the developer announced that an early access release on Steam was coming in early 2018.[17] He later announced that the game early access would be available on Steam on April 12.[3]

References
  1. Mastrapa, Gus (2010-03-23). "Innovative SpyParty is Ultimate Mind Game". Wired. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  2. Conditt, Jessica (2016-10-28). "'SpyParty' finally looks like a real video game". Archived from the original on 2018-02-24. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  3. McWhertor, Michael (2018-04-02). "SpyParty hits Steam Early Access on April 12". Polygon. Archived from the original on 2018-04-08. Retrieved 2018-04-09.
  4. Nasaki, Kayin (2012-06-27). "Spy Party, Nidhogg, EVO and making a Competitive Game". Archived from the original on 2018-02-24. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  5. Burch, Anthony (2010-03-19). "Why you need to be excited about SpyParty". Archived from the original on 2018-06-18. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  6. McWhertor, Michael (2012-08-27). "SpyParty's Dashing New Look". Polygon. Archived from the original on 2018-02-24. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  7. Totilo, Stephen (2011-05-10). "SpyParty Beta Starting Soon, Here's How to Sign Up". Archived from the original on 2018-02-24. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  8. Moore, Bo (2013-06-20). "A Cocktail of Deception: SpyParty Enters Open Beta". Wired. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  9. Wilkinson, Jeremy (2012-08-28). "Spore Artist Gives SpyParty a New Lick of Paint". Archived from the original on 2018-02-24. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  10. Conditt, Jessica on Aug 27th 2012 (2012-08-27). "SpyParty redesign: the new art of espionage". Retrieved 2013-03-14.
  11. Benson, Julian (2013-10-08). "Spy Party video shows new art style. Shoot sims with a sniper rifle". Archived from the original on 2018-02-24. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  12. Hancock, Patrick (2013-08-08). "SpyParty's new environments are warm, cool, & Scooby Doo". Archived from the original on 2016-03-22. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  13. Narcisse, Evan (2013-07-02). "SpyParty's Next Claim To Fame? It Will Be 'The Most Diverse Game Ever'". Archived from the original on 2018-02-24. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  14. Hecker, Chris (2014-02-27). "Replays Are Here!". Archived from the original on 2014-03-13. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
  15. Hecker, Chris (2014-01-20). "In-game Replays Update and Preview". Archived from the original on 2014-03-13. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
  16. Teti, John; Wolinsky, David on March 13, 2010 (2012-03-10). "AVC at GDC'10, Day Four: Spy party". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on 2013-03-26. Retrieved 2013-03-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. Bailey, Dustin (2017-11-23). "In development since 2009, SpyParty will hit Steam Early Access next year (probably)". Archived from the original on 2018-02-24. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
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