The original developers of the L.A. Noire games have shut down rumors that were spreading claiming the studio was working on a new 1940s game known as "Sowden House."
The Sydney-based developer, Video Games Deluxe, said that it was "working exclusively on projects for Rockstar." This came after an Instagram post suggested that the studio was hands-on with a new project.
New L.A. Noire Game
(Photo : Video Games Deluxe, Team Bondi / Screenshot taken from Steam)
The studio was founded by Team Bondi head Brendan McNamara and was the one who worked on the virtual reality spin-off L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files. The Instagram post has since been deleted but it claimed that Sowden House was a psychological thriller set in 1940s L.A.
It added that the game will have players questioning their sanity and its claims led to much speculation online about an upcoming PC game from the studio responsible for the popular detective game.
Video Games Deluxe confirmed in July 2020 that it was working on a new "triple-AAA open-world title for VR for Rockstar." In a recent post, the studio shared on its LinkedIn page a statement regarding the latest rumor, according to PCGamesN.
The team then revealed the work that it was doing for Rockstar Games, adding that it commissioned some music from a local composer, Freyja Garbett. It said that this was for a VR project that they were working on a number of years ago when between projects.
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Out of these, the studio said that the piece in question was based on a case from L.A. Noire that did not make the cut but was more of a tech demo.
Video Games Deluxe added that they have no idea whether or not the project will ever see the light of day but decided to at least finish the score commission to support a local composer.
So far, that was the extent of the statement addressing the recent rumors of a new L.A. Noire-related project. The studio did not further elaborate on what the specified projects actually were.
A Thrilling Detective Game
The Instagram post that teased the potential new game said that Garbett, who made the claim, never thought that they would be writing for a video game but was still grateful for the chance.
They added that it was the second video game session recording, noting that it featured the "jazz band," said the Video Game Chronicle.
The title of the rumored new project was a reference to a home that was owned by Dr. George Hodel, who is one of the prime suspects in the Black Dahlia murder case. Later on, his son claimed that the victim, Elizabeth Short, was murdered inside the house itself.
Additionally, the music and setting that was commissioned for Sowden House were perfectly in line with the L.A. Noire series. In L.A. Noire, players are put in the 1940s and are in control of detective Cole Phelps and will have to investigate a series of crimes across post-war Los Angeles.
The game set a new standard for motion capture while also offering a thrilling detective video game experience, according to GameRant.
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