First she wrestled control over the Alley Cats from her husband, now she has her sights set on Chicago...
Join us for the Boss Spotlight stream on Mabel Ryley, with Brenda Romero and Ian O'Neill, this Thursday at 5 PM CEST / 8 AM PDT on twitch.tv/paradoxinteractive!
Boss Spotlight: Joseph Saltis
Joseph Saltis is the middle child of Chicago’s underworld; he gets along with everybody, acts as a good mediator between gangland relationships, and no one pays close enough attention to him to realise he’s playing them all off each other to further his own standing in the crime game. Joe’s a diplomat, and a popular one at that, the kind of popular that almost renames a whole town to ‘Saltisville’ by popular vote, losing out by just one count - true story.
There’s plenty of money to be made in prohibition if you own a couple of speakeasies, but what good is a bar without hooch? That’s where Saltis comes in. He’s the main supplier to countless establishments around the South Side. He runs a huge, lucrative operation distributing booze from the Back Of The Yards neighborhood in Chicago. His business acumen is finely tuned, and beyond aiming to be the monopolising supplier of liquor, Saltis also knows who to acquaint himself with. Enter John O’ Berta, close friend of Saltis and contending candidate for a seat in Illinois state senate. Now, as well as a booming enterprise, Joe also has a sway in turning many a blind eye to his activities as well as the leverage that having a political friend evokes.
Saltis has the stature around the South Side to be the only real contender with that wild animal Capone. The two remain on good terms despite the fact that Saltis’ business is the only one to remain independently run, and out of the control of eight other satellite gangs that work under ‘Scarface’. That takes a certain amount of charm and prowess; working the same territory as public enemy number one and still managing to call him ‘friend’, at least loosely.
It may have something to do with the fact that Saltis is a product of his home nation. He was born in Budapest, Hungary, a country with one of the most violent history’s in Europe, in terms of defending itself against powerful men fighting to take control of it. Beyond that, it could also be his physical size. As the saying goes, they don’t make ’em like Joe anymore. The man is a hulk, tall as he is wide, and who really wants to go up against a man with hands like shovels? One thing is for sure, with paws like that, Joe is more than equipped to grab the biggest handful of Chicago to call his own.
Chicago Police Dept. evidence Files
The following letters are evidence garnered from three separate raids on the city’s suspected crime bosses. These letters have been grouped together as one exhibit as they share one common denominator: Joseph Saltis. There are no dates on any of the letters, though we suspect them to be linked to the infamous South Side brawl of April last. The letters are described as follows;
Exhibit #A-001 - A letter from North side mobster Spike O’ Donnell to Joseph Saltis.
Exhibit #A-002 - Saltis’ letter of response to O’Donnell
Exhibit #A-003 - A letter from Joseph Saltis to fellow South Side mobster Al ‘Scarface’ Capone.
Exhibit #A-004 - Capone’s response to Saltis.
Exhibit #A-001
J,
I hear things on the South Side are going your way of late. That seems to be a mighty operation you got going over there. There’s not many that can keep Scarface on his good side but you seem to be managing alright. There sure as shit ain’t anybody on North Side that can say the same. Now, I’m telling you this cause I like you, J, and I like your business - Scarface is a lit fuse. Sure, you may have dampened it, slowed it the burn a little, but that don’t mean he ain’t gonna blow some day. When that happens - cause it will happen J - you’re gonna be left bleeding, without a damn dollar or racket to call your own.
That’s why I say, get ahead of the game. Act before you react, J. I’d be willing to help you too, that’s just how nice a guy I am. I can connect you with some good rackets up here to supply to, for a cut of course - ain’t nothing for free J, you understanding me? And listen, if you’re worrying about that stick of dynamite finding out, don’t. Alls he needs is some distraction so he don’t notice our little merger, and I got plenty of guys willing to go down there and distract some South Side guys for half a dime. I’m talking fucking hypnosis by fire. You picking up what I’m putting down here, J?
Come find me, I’ll be waiting. Ain’t no reason to turn your back on good business, J. You know that better than anyone.
Regards, S O’D.
Exhibit #A-002
S,
Perhaps I should thank you for your interest and admiration in how I run my operations. My enterprises are always successful, because I make it so, and it’s nice to be recognized for that, I am deeply flattered. This vocation of ours is a business, and I am a businessman first. That is the key to running operations as lucrative as mine. There is no room for sentimentality; blood is just another currency.
If I may speak frankly, you think you’re the only one to see the true nature of my contemporaries from your perch on the North Side? Let me tell you, I am well aware of the volatile nature of my competitor and regarding our competition; I don’t need anyone to tell me what I can quite plainly see for myself. What I see here, is an offer of business from you. As I said, business comes first with me. I’d be more than happy to hold a meeting with you to discuss this further - and as good business requires quick action, what say we arrange this for the coming week? Now, it must go without saying that we must treat this as a covert operation. If anyone on the South Side catches wind of this, it’s me in the cold earth and you without a good supply - so keep your mouth sealed.
As for Scarface, I got plenty of guys that are up for the challenge on any move he makes, but in the interest of distraction, perhaps it is best to send guys he is not used to seeing. I say send your guys on down and we’ll see how he deals with that. I’ll be in your neighborhood next week, so plan your distraction for then.
Finally, the next time you write me a letter that is not in coherent english, I’ll burn it before I get through the first sentence. You are a businessman, you should speak and write like one. I’m not even a native speaker and I put you to shame, for Christ’s sake.
Until next week, J.
Exhibit #A-003
Big A,
I hope this finds you well, your wife and kid too. You are a busy man, as am I, so I’ll get right to the point. Don’t ask me how I know, but I have it in good faith that there’s going to be some moves made upon your racket by North Side opportunists, sometime in the next week.
It’s more than a hunch, A, you know the connections I have, and the vat of information I am privy to. Keep your guard up comrade; show them how things operate on the South Side. Just remember, you didn’t hear this from me.
Happy hunting, J.
Exhibit #A-004
J,
Thanks for your letter. The family is in good health and I will no doubt be in good spirits after I capitalise on your generous tip off.
I appreciate you getting in touch to let me know of some impending threat. Just another example of how South Side looks after their own. Plenty of room for the both of us here, eh? I’ll be tripling fortifications around my joints. And I don’t want you worrying about your friend Big A here; I’ll have my pet Mr. Thompson ready to bark at any postmen that come barging in here unannounced.
Keep your eye on the papers, A.
Watch the Boss Spotlight on Joseph Saltis and learn more about gangsters here: [previewyoutube="nSW1BuiMffI;full"]
Boss Spotlight Stream: Joseph Saltis
In this week's Boss Spotlight we'll take a real close look at the Beer Baron of South Side: Joseph Saltis! Join Game Director Brenda Romero and Lead Writer Katie Gardner live on stream this Thursday at 5 PM CEST / 8 AM PDT on twitch.tv/paradoxinteractive!
Boss Spotlight: Frankie Donovan
Meet Frankie Donovan - a five-time marksman and idealist from Kilmaine who is fearless in combat and incredibly cool under pressure. Back in Ireland, he got caught in the Easter Rising and had to make a choice: to stay and face a firing squad or to leave the Emerald Isle. Naturally he escaped, and eventually ended up in Chicago to make a name for himself.
His weapon of choice is a family heirloom of sorts. A well worn hurl that’s been passed down for generations. The 3 foot long stick is traditionally made of hardened wood, and is used in the Irish game of hurling. As all mobsters know, a good weapon deserves a swell name, and so Frankie named his hurl ‘Mo Chara Beag’, which is Irish for “My little friend”.
All bosses have their own unique Combat Bonuses, and Frankie is no exception. His combat bonus is called Unleash Fury, and as the name implies it unleashes a flurry of devastating melee strikes (preferably with Mo Chara Beag) against his enemies. One thing is certain: you wouldn’t want to end up on the blunt end of his hurley!
Want to know more about good old Frankie and get a taste of gameplay and combat in Empire of Sin? Watch the full Boss Spotlight on Frankie Donovan here:
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Boss Spotlight stream - Frankie Donovan
Grab yer tommy guns, we're heading to Chicago! The first in a series of Boss Spotlight streams is happening this very week! Join us as our Design Director Brenda Romero and our Principal Combat Designer Ian O'Neill give us a closer look at Frankie Donovan and The Donovans this Thursday at 5 PM CEST / 8 AM PDT on twitch.tv/paradoxinteractive!
Empire of Sin: Happy Mother’s Day
[previewyoutube="fBCfhdkGXhM;full"] Everyone knows that in this business, family matters. Elvira Duarte is not only a mobster boss in Empire of Sin, she is also based on industry legend John Romero’s real life great-grandmother.
Extra! Extra! Read all about it: Empire of Sin on the cover of PC Gamer!
Get your crew together and bust out the bubbly: Empire of Sin is on the cover of PC Gamer! Ain't that just the bee's knees? 🥂🥃🍸🍹
This swell issue contains an 8 page feature on Empire of Sin, with all the details on the game we're all here for. Issue 344 of PC Gamer is out now, so make sure to snag a copy before the coppers raid the brewery, capisce?
Extra! Extra! Read all about it!
As any good bootlegger knows, good liquor can’t be rushed and the same goes for game development. This is why we have decided to move the release of Empire of Sin to Fall 2020.
We appreciate all your support so far, and trust that you understand why choosing quality over speed is important. After all, everyone knows you gotta stay sharp to make it in Chicago.
Empire of Sin - Looks like we’re awaited!
Extra, extra! Read all about it! Empire of Sin featured in several Most Anticipated Game of 2020 lists! As the calendar flipped from 19 to 20 we officially ventured into the roaring 2020’s, baby! Over this past month we’ve seen quite a few Most Anticipated Games -lists from many of our favorite news outlets, and the thing that thrills us the most is to see how many of them featured Empire of Sin! Ain’t that just the cat’s meow? It sure makes our pumps hit on all eights.
Just look at that swell selection of grand lists we’re featured in:
"From veteran video game designers Brenda and John Romero, Empire of Sin is your chance to live the life of a mafia boss in prohibition-era Chicago, recruiting, manipulating and occasionally murdering mobsters to spread your influence (and hooch) across the city." The Guardian
"Fascinating real-time simulation from Brenda and John Romero which has you building a crime empire in prohibition era Chicago. Has you employing underlings and running casinos and speakeasy, as well as engaging in turf battles with Xcom style turn-based combat. (PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC)" The Telegraph
"With the creative talents of Romero Games behind it, this is one of those strategy games that sounds too good to be true, but from what we've played of Empire of Sin, it's definitely one to watch closely." IGN "Another action-packed game on the list is Empire of Sin, an XCOM-style strategy game created by Doom's John Romero and Brenda Romero." GameSpot
"It’s an overhead-view game in which players try to take over speakeasies, distilleries, and brothels by outsmarting enemies in combat, making use of appropriate units and cover. There’s also a narrative element in which rivals can be charmed or bullied into making concessions via dialog trees." Polygon
"Empire of Sin plays out on two levels. You've got to worry about the big picture, dispatching your goons and directing resources toward whatever criminal enterprises you wish to pursue. But you've also got to get down to the street level when scraps break out, making in-the-moment tactical decisions to ensure your crew stays safe and alive. All of this plays out against the backdrop of an unpredictable "living" city that ensures no two playthroughs will ever be the same." Mashable
"It’s been far too long since we had a good gangster sim, but Empire of Sin looks like it will fill the gap nicely. " PC Gamer
"If you’ve ever wanted to play a Martin Scorsese movie, Empire of Sin just might be your best bet." Collider
Believe you me, 2020 is going to be a ritzy year, with fancies galore! One thing is certain: you’ll be seeing a lot of us.
Empire of Sin on Gamecrates 2020's MOST ANTICIPATED STRATEGY GAMES list!
As 2019 draws to an end, we're ready to hit the roaring 2020's! And boy are we leaving 2019 with a bang, crew, because we're on Gamecrates 2020’S MOST ANTICIPATED STRATEGY GAMES list! What a grand way to end this year. 🥂
