Indie developer Strange Scaffold has taken over development of the narrative-driven tactics game Gods With Badges, a project that was previously canceled by its original studio. The game, formerly known as Hard Justice, was being developed at Artificer, a studio owned by Devolver Digital. Strange Scaffold, known for its work on El Paso, Elsewhere, is spearheading this revival through its Project Share initiative, which encourages developers to share game code for others to build upon.
Studio Head Xalavier Nelson Jr. expressed gratitude to Artificer for entrusting Strange Scaffold with the project. "Gods With Badges took the work already completed by Artificer and reinterpreted it through Strange Scaffold's distinctive creative lens," Nelson Jr. stated. "I can't wait for people to see what we've built on this complex, exciting foundation."
Gods With Badges centers on Harrow McClellan, a disgraced police officer navigating the dystopian city of Scarhelm. Gameplay blends choice-driven conversations with isometric, turn-based combat. A unique mechanic allows players to disable their character's bodycam, unlocking more combat abilities at the cost of narrative consequences. The game is expected to explore themes of police brutality and law enforcement's role in a dystopian future. The title is slated for a PC release in 2027.