Dead Space Vets Reveal 1930s Decopunk Mystery [Preview]

By Ryan Messina Gaming News
30 March 2026 no comments

Key Takeaways: The Quick Answer

• Developed by Vivix—a studio of veterans from Dead Space and Control—Artificial Detective is slated for a 2027 release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
• You play as AD 2846, fighting alongside a human hacker named Mowgli and a combat robodog, D.A.W.G., in a 1930s decopunk dystopia.
• Gameplay emphasizes environmental combat, hacking, and investigation over a bloated open-world grind.

A Dystopian Mystery in Conglomerate North

The Xbox Partner Preview just dropped a massive look at Artificial Detective, and it’s shaping up to be a sleeper hit. Developed by Vivix, this indie project carries serious AAA DNA.

The team features veterans who worked on Dead Space, Call of Duty, Control, and Netflix’s Love, Death & Robots. They are building Conglomerate North—a layered, 1930s Art Deco metropolis overrun by machines.

Humanity is completely gone, leaving behind a pristine but highly dangerous playground.

Meet AD 2846 and the Unlikely Crew

You play as AD 2846. Imagine a mashup of RoboCop and C-3PO trying to solve the ultimate missing persons case. He wakes up with fragmented memories and a limited-power taser.

You aren’t fighting alone. You quickly team up with Mowgli, a human tech prodigy raised by machines, and D.A.W.G., a heavily weaponized robodog.

These companions aren’t just background noise—they are your primary progression system. Mowgli handles hacking and crafting, while D.A.W.G. brings the brute force. You manage everything from a flying streetcar that serves as your mobile hub.

Artificial Detective puts you on the case of solving humanity’s disappearance. We spoke to its creators on how they're blending hacking, stealth, and companion abilities in this upcoming decopunk action-adventure: #XboxPartnerPreview https://t.co/kYIifftYrG

— Xbox Wire (@XboxWire) March 26, 2026

Combat, Stealth, and the Morphing Threat

Combat requires actual brainpower. Ammo is scarce, meaning you have to improvise using the physics-driven environment. You can electrocute floors, set traps, or stick to the shadows.

According to recent developer interviews, the game rewards reading the room. You can send D.A.W.G. in to distract a group of bots while you hack a terminal or flank them.

The biggest threat is Bishop. This massive entity is made of morphing cubes called Monks, adapting to your tactics and corrupting everything it touches.

Did you miss the Xbox Partner Preview in March? Learn everything that was announced

Release Window and Platform Availability

Vivix is keeping the official pricing under wraps for now. They are aiming for a highly polished, focused experience rather than endless open-world filler.

Historically, indie titles with this level of AAA pedigree hit the $39.99 to $49.99 premium retail price mark, though we will wait for official storefront confirmation.

Artificial Detective is currently slated for a 2027 release. It will launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

Ryan Messina

A video game enthusiast ever since I first got my hands on a Game Boy. Over the years, I've played many different games across various genres, discovering hidden gems and niche titles along the way. I'm also passionate about technology, always up-to-date with the latest news and insight in the PC and Console market. Ready to share and bring you the latest news !