Narco-Thriller VICE Undercover: New story-trailer, cast revealed; public demo launches on Steam
MIAMI, December 5th, 2024 – Indie micro-studio Ancient Machine has unveiled an electrifying new story trailer for their upcoming narco-thriller, VICE Undercover. Set in an alternate 1985 Miami, where modern technology exists decades early, hackers have become the most valuable tools of the cartels. Players take the role of Vida, a Colombian-American undercover cop working for the Electronic Crime Unit (ECU). When the most powerful cartel's best hacker mysteriously starts leaving his supercomputer unattended for one real-time hour each day, Vida is sent in to pose as him, fulfill his contracts, and dismantle the cartel from within. But in this world of lies, nothing is as it seems, and everyone has their own agenda.
Alongside the trailer, Ancient Machine has released a free demo of VICE Undercover available to download on Steam. The demo offers a sneak peek into the game’s gripping narrative and strategic gameplay, featuring two full episodes. The complete game is set to launch early next year, boasting over 20 hours of content across 24 episodes.
Described by early critics as “a heart-racing, far more involved Papers Please!,” VICE Undercover is a genre-bending point-and-click narco-thriller. Using Amigo OS, a retro-inspired operating system reminiscent of Windows 3.1, players gain access to confidential databases, order hits, monitor security cameras, decode files, wire money, and uncover hidden crime networks. Balancing the demands of the cartel and the ECU—while dozens of other criminal and law enforcement factions close in—makes every decision critical, with the constant threat of blowing your cover. And with the clock always ticking, the pressure mounts.
"This trailer isn’t just a glimpse—it’s a statement of what makes VICE Undercover so unique,” said Cos Lazouras, co-founder of Ancient Machine. “It’s a game that challenges, pressures and keeps you questioning everything you think you know. There’s nothing out there like it, or even on the horizon.”
The new trailer also introduces VICE Undercover’s real-life cast. Starring Colombian actress Kimberly Reyes (El Final del Paraíso, Diomedes: El cacique de la Junta) as Vida and cult actor Tamer Hassan (Football Factory, Batman Begins, Layer Cake), who lends his gravitas to a pivotal role in the story. The game is further elevated by an incredible synth-wave soundtrack featuring original music by LAU.
"With over two decades of Hollywood experience, I’ve learned that ambitious stories demand incredible performances to succeed,” said Lazouras. “Designing VICE Undercover with its intricate subplots and jaw-dropping twist ending was no easy feat, but Kimberly Reyes and Tamer Hassan’s exceptional talent are what truly bring it all together, elevating the game to a whole new level.”
With the demo now live, Ancient Machine invites players to step into the immersive world of VICE Undercover. This is your chance to experience one of the most unique gaming experiences in years.
ABOUT ANCIENT MACHINE
Founded in 2019, Ancient Machine is a micro-sized independent game studio led by veteran developers whose credits include cult classics such as The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, PAYDAY, and the Asphalt series. The team’s roots trace back to retro hits like Wolverine: Adamantium Rage and Spider-Man 3 on the Game Boy. VICE Undercover marks their debut title—a narrative-driven narco-thriller where players take on an undercover assignment within a retro desktop operating system.
For more information, visit ancientmachinegames.com
Links:
Steam Page
