{{Lead too short|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox video game | title = Deceive Inc. | image = Deceive Inc cover.jpg | alt = | caption = | developer = Sweet Bandits Studios | publisher = [[Tripwire Interactive]] | designer = | programmer = | artist = | composer = | series = | engine = | platforms = {{plainlist| * [[PlayStation 5]] * [[Windows]] * [[Xbox Series X/S]] }} | released = {{vgrelease|WW|March 21, 2023}} | genre = [[First-person shooter]] | modes = [[Multiplayer]] }} '''''Deceive Inc.''''' is a [[first-person shooter video game]] developed by Sweet Bandits Studios and published by [[Tripwire Interactive]] in 2023.
== Gameplay == Players control a spy competing against other teams of spies to retrieve a package. Gameplay blends elements of [[hero shooter]]s and [[Shooter game#extraction shooter|extraction shooters]]. Each player has a holographic projector that can hide their identity. As long as they do not shoot, players can hide as a [[non-player character]], and in some cases camouflage into an object. Shooting or being shot reveals their identity. To retrieve the package, players need to disable vault terminals to open the map's vault. To gather higher-tier resources, players can masquerade as a [[VIP]], which allows them access to otherwise forbidden areas, though this stands out to other players.<ref name=pcgamer>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/deceive-inc-review/|title=''Deceive Inc'' review|last=Adderson|first=Russell|work=[[PC Gamer]]|date=2023-04-26|accessdate=2023-06-04|archive-date=2023-06-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602221105/https://www.pcgamer.com/deceive-inc-review/|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Characters == The game currently has eleven playable characters split into different classes that indicate their playstyle:
* Chavez, a Vanguard who fights with a six-round [[revolver]] and an expertise that grants him invincibility for a short time.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.deceiveinc.com/ |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=Deceive Inc. |language=en}}</ref> * Ace, a Tracker who wields a [[sniper rifle]] and an expertise that allows her to trail enemy targets she aims at.<ref name=":0" /> * Squire, a Vanguard who wields a [[Silencer (firearms)|silenced]] [[pistol]] and an expertise that allows him to scan the area around him for loot.<ref name=":0" /> * Madame Xiu, a Scoundrel who uses a rapid-fire [[crossbow]] and has an expertise that lets her teleport to a selected character.<ref name=":0" /> * Hans, a Disruptor who carries a hand-mounted [[shotgun]] with the ability to fire a large orb that slows enemies and disables their expertise.<ref name=":0" /> * Cavaliere, a Tracker who wields [[Pistol|dual pistols]] and the ability to track down enemies by investigating items they have recently interacted with.<ref name=":0" /> * Larcin, a Scoundrel who has a [[pocket pistol]] and the ability to go invisible for short periods of time.<ref name=":0" /> * Yu-Mi, a Disruptor who carries a [[slingshot]] that can fire special pellets that destroy enemy gadgets, disables their disguises and slows them down.<ref name=":0" /> * Red, a Scoundrel who uses a classic [[assault rifle]] with an expertise that allows her to instantly regain her cover and debuff enemies.<ref name=":0" /> * Sasori, a Tracker who uses darts and a [[wakizashi]] with the ability to coat them in crippling poison for a short time.<ref name=":0" /> * Octo, a Disruptor who uses an intel-powered [[semi-automatic rifle]] and other intel-based abilities to get the upper hand on his opponents.<ref name=":0" /> * Vigil, a Vanguard who wields a [[pistol]] and has the ability to use different gadgets that create smoke, detect enemies, or jam interactable objects.<ref name=":0" />
=== Classes === The game's characters are split into four separate classes, which described [[in-game]] as follows:
* Vanguards are "well-rounded, self-reliant fighters that can get through the thick and thin".<ref name=":0" /> * Trackers focus on "finding, singling out, and hunting down targets".<ref name=":0" /> * Scoundrels are "sly, cunning, and use dirty tricks to get ahead of the competition".<ref name=":0" /> * Disruptors are "experts at controlling space and disturbing the flow of fights".<ref name=":0" />
== Development == Developer Sweet Bandits Studios is based in [[Quebec City]], [[Canada]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sweetbanditsstudios.com/|title=Sweet Bandits Studios|website=Sweet Bandits Studios|accessdate=2023-06-04|archive-date=2023-06-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604212227/https://www.sweetbanditsstudios.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Tripwire Interactive]] released the game for Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on March 21, 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamepressure.com/games/deceive-inc/z16263|title=''Deceive Inc.''|work=[[Gamepressure]]|accessdate=2023-06-04|archive-date=2023-06-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603003835/https://www.gamepressure.com/games/deceive-inc/z16263|url-status=live}}</ref>
In December 2024, it was announced the game would no longer receive updates.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-03 |title=A message from Sweet Bandits |url=https://forums.tripwireinteractive.com/index.php?threads/a-message-from-sweet-bandits.2340721/ |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=Tripwire Interactive Forums |language=en-US}}</ref> The developer claimed they were unable to get Deceive Inc. "in a state in which it could thrive" and could no longer continue developing the game.
== Reception == On [[Metacritic]], the PC and Xbox Series X/S versions received positive reviews,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/deceive-inc/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=''Deceive Inc.'' (PC)|work=[[Metacritic]]|accessdate=2023-06-04|archive-date=2023-06-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602221106/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/deceive-inc|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/deceive-inc/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x|title=''Deceive Inc.'' (Xbox Series X/S)|work=[[Metacritic]]|accessdate=2023-06-04|archive-date=2023-06-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604045500/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-series-x/deceive-inc|url-status=live}}</ref> and the PlayStation 5 version received mixed reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/deceive-inc/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5|title=''Deceive Inc.'' (PS5)|work=[[Metacritic]]|accessdate=2023-06-04|archive-date=2023-06-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604045502/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-5/deceive-inc|url-status=live}}</ref> Fellow review aggregator [[OpenCritic]] assessed that the game received fair approval, being recommended by 53% of critics.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://opencritic.com/game/14480/deceive-inc-|title=''Deceive Inc.''|publisher=[[OpenCritic]]|access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref> ''[[PC Gamer]]'' called it a "creative blend of sneaking and shooting that will have squads coming back for more".<ref name=pcgamer/> ''[[NME]]'' said it is "a fantastic multiplayer game" that fans of the genre will enjoy despite its confusing progression system.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/game-reviews/deceive-inc-review-3421506|title=''Deceive Inc.'' review: '70s-set spy sabotage|last=Tucker|first=Jake|work=[[NME]]|date=2023-03-28|accessdate=2023-06-04|archive-date=2023-06-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602221103/https://www.nme.com/reviews/game-reviews/deceive-inc-review-3421506|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Shacknews]]'' called it "creative, both visually and conceptually" and "a blast to experience, just as long as you have friends at the ready".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/134792/deceive-inc-review-score-pc|title=''Deceive Inc.'' review: Master of disguise|last=Mejia|first=Ozzie|work=[[Shacknews]]|date=2023-03-28|accessdate=2023-06-04|archive-date=2023-06-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605002704/https://www.shacknews.com/article/134792/deceive-inc-review-score-pc|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Push Square]]'' said it is "a solid starting point with a great premise" but needs better gunplay and more content.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/deceive-inc|title=Mini Review: ''Deceive Inc'' (PS5) - Multiplayer Stealth Is Mission Mostly Accomplished|last=Tailby|first=Stephen|work=[[Push Square]]|date=2023-03-28|accessdate=2023-06-04|archive-date=2023-06-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602221103/https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/deceive-inc|url-status=live}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website|https://deceiveinc.com/}}
{{Tripwire Interactive}}
[[Category:2021 video games]] [[Category:Windows games]] [[Category:PlayStation 5 games]] [[Category:Xbox Series X and Series S games]] [[Category:Multiplayer video games]] [[Category:Indie games]] [[Category:First-person shooters]] [[Category:Hero shooters]] [[Category:Video games about espionage]] [[Category:Tripwire Interactive games]] [[Category:Video games developed in Canada]] [[Category:Video games set in the 1970s]]