Publisher Curve Digital in collaboration with developer FuturLab has recently cast more light on its plans to bring the first game based on the award-winning Peaky Blinders, one of the most popular dramas on global TV in recent years via Netflix, to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC in Summer 2020.
Take on the streets
Peaky Blinders: Mastermind is a puzzle-adventure game playing as Tommy Shelby and his gang seek to take control of the streets of Birmingham in the early 20th century. Set right before the events of the first season, players will join the Shelby family’s criminal organization as they discover a sinister plot to put Tommy out of business. The game taps directly into Tommy’s talent for planning complex scenarios in his head, with players forming strategies by taking control of key members of the Shelby family down on the ground. It’s a crafty, credible, and most importantly creative take on the world of Peaky Blinders that, like James Marsden, Game Director at FuturLab explains, saw the development team use a key juncture in the series as the inspiration for the core mechanic employed in play:
“There’s a point in the show where Tommy Shelby explains he has no concern for the past, nor the future; all he cares about is a crucial moment he recalls the soldier’s minute – We designed our game around that idea, allowing the player to plan actions backward and forward in time, choreographing an ensemble cast of characters to synchronize their actions during these crucial moments. The player gets to feel like the smart and sophisticated leader that Tommy is, so we think becoming the mastermind will resonate with fans of the show and gamers alike”
James Marsden, Game Director at FuturLab
As Marsden describes, In Peaky Blinders: Mastermind, players will be able to freely set and rewind each character’s path in order to tune all of their actions for perfect coordination, tactically utilizing characters and stealth to solve increasingly complex puzzles. It’s an inventive take on the series that suitably impressed publisher Curve Digital.
“We were floored by James and Kirsty’s original idea for a Peaky Blinders game – At its heart, Peaky Blinders is a story about a family, and capturing the ability to control the Shelbys simultaneously across the game’s narrative is such a smart way to bring the show to life. The mechanic they’ve created to allow players to directly control Tommy, Arthur, Polly, John, Ada, and Finn across one looping timeline opens up unique gameplay possibilities, stylishly brought to life in FuturLab’s trademark gorgeous art style. It’s a game that almost defies categorization – part action, part puzzle, part adventure, but all inventive.”
Simon Byron, Publishing Director, Curve Digital
In Peaky Blinders: Mastermind players will: –
- TRUE TO THE TV SHOW – Take control of Tommy, Arthur, Polly, John, Ada, and Finn as they navigate through familiar locations including The Garrison Tavern, Charlie Strong’s Yard, Shelby Parlour and more.
- Witness the rise of Tommy Shelby as the true leader of the Peaky Blinders in early 20th century Birmingham
- Utilize Tommy’s prowess for planning to set up complex scenarios
- Control Tommy, Arthur, Polly and more on the ground as they pull off mission after mission
- BECOME THE MASTERMIND – Exercise Tommy’s power to plan complex scenarios in his head, by taking control of each key member of the Shelby family and perform their actions in parallel.
- MANIPULATE TIME – Each character’s actions are automatically logged in a timeline that you can freely reset, fast-forward and rewind until the plan is perfectly adjusted.
- STEALTH AND STRATEGY – Each mission is an increasingly complex puzzle to be solved undetected and on time. Choose the right characters and abilities to coordinate and execute the optimum plan.
