Activision announces True Crime: Streets of LA

Activision has announced True Crime: Streets of LA for the GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox. You play as Nick Kang, a detective trying to settle a score with LA's seedy underground. The game will play very similarly to Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto III with equal portions of driving, shooting, hand-to-hand combat spread across 20 primary missions and 100 submissions. Missions will also be offered to you through your CB radio.

"Mission-based driving and action adventure collide in this bold new direction for interactive entertainment," states Larry Goldberg, executive vice president, Activision Worldwide Studios. "Infused with the unique flair of Hong Kong action films, True Crime: Streets of LA allows players to experience first-hand the car stunts, close calls, quick wit and high-action that are synonymous with this distinct style of cinema."

Developed by Luxoflux, the creators of the Vigilante 8 car combat series, the game area will encompass 400 square miles of terrain modeled after Los Angeles. Activision describes the game as a cinematic action game inspired by Hong Kong action films. It has dozens of possible paths and outcomes depending upon the player's actions. Stopping a robbery can tip you off to future crimes, but botching an operation can also get your informants killed. Players will also be able to improve the performance of weapons, vehicles, or hand-to-hand skills by visiting auto simulators, dojos, and gun ranges around LA.

True Crime: Streets of LA is currently scheduled for release sometime in 2003. We'll have more information when it becomes available.