Another element I wanted to learn more about is how progression in Artificial Detective feeds into the game. Krayevoy tells me that it’s less about a traditional numbers-heavy XP grind and more about unlocking capabilities through companions, relationships, and upgrades. “One of the game’s core features is that your companions are effectively part of your progression system. As your relationship with them develops, you unlock new abilities and new ways to interact with the world.”

“Players make progress in their investigation, unlock and select new missions, upgrade themselves, their weapons, and their companions, and take on bosses that push the story forward. Mowgli opens up crafting, repairs, and upgrades, while D.A.W.G. expands your combat support, scanning, and utility options. Progression is designed to feel both systemic and character-driven at the same time.”

A World of Machines

The world of Artificial Detective looks both foreign and familiar, which taps into some of the deep inspiration that the team leaned on to craft it, influenced heavily by neo-noir, retro-futuristic cinema, and anime. “Films like ‘Blade Runner’ and the atmosphere of ‘Cowboy Bebop’ helped shape the tone of the world – a future that feels both technologically advanced and strangely worn down.”

Perhaps most impressive of all, considering Vivix is a small team, is the AAA-quality looks Artificial Detective is already showing off. “Our goal has always been to create something that feels ambitious and premium while staying focused on an engaging story, strong gameplay, and memorable visuals, rather than trying to become an endless open-world game. So, we focused on less, but better.”