Hooligans places players in control of their very own hooligan gang, or “firm” as they are known in Europe. Players begin by choosing the name and team allegiance for their firm and then set off to wreak havoc, as they battle rivals and law enforcement for the right to be called the toughest firm of all. The game, however, is not all fun and beatings. Players must manage their units and use strategy to build out their firm and take over territory from rivals. The hooligans must loot nearby shops in order to gather more money, and then take over local pubs, where they must recruit new units and acquire loyal supporters through buying rounds of beer for the patrons and leading raucous chants. Additionally, the hooligans must contend with the local law enforcement and riot squads without getting “pinched” and thrown in the “clink.”
“We are extremely excited about bringing Hooligans to the U.S. and we are certain that it will translate well with American gamers,” said Michael Haines, senior vice president of publishing and licensing for Hip Interactive. “This is North America’s first ‘riot game’ and people find riots fascinating. Hooligans gives us some insight into the method behind what most people think of as riot chaos and does a great job of exposing these strategies in a humorous manner without glorifying it.”
Hooligans will sport 11 action-packed single player missions that span the continent of Europe. The missions will range in objective from getting the player’s firm into a football (soccer) stadium controlled by a rival firm, to protecting his or her team’s bus from rival fans in France. The game can also be played in “riot mode,” where up to four players can challenge each other.
