 | Digital Release | PC December 05, 2019 - Epic Games Store |
| Delisting | Jan - Feb 2020 | |
| Developer | Black Shamrock | |
| Publisher | Cyanide Bigben Interactive / Nacon |
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| Available On | Digital None Retail PC (EU) |
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| Links | Epic Games Store page [Archive] |
Delisting
Paranoia: Happiness is Mandatory was delisted from the Epic Games Store in late January or early February of 2020. Unaddressed by both developer Black Shamrock and publisher Nacon at the time, it was discovered in April of 2022 that the game’s removal was caused by a DMCA claim from Paranoia creators in a dispute with Nacon.
The TechRaptor article describes in much greater detail but in short, Nacon released a version of the game which the developers felt was unshippable. After Nacon refused to pull it from sale themselves the creators filed a DMCA claim which Epic complied with, pulling Paranoia from their storefront. Nacon then filed a legal claim against Black Shamrock and Black Shamrock filed a counter-claim against Nacon, sealing the two into non-disclosure arrangements until the documents were made public in April of 2022.
Paranoia: Happiness is Mandatory continues to be listed on Steam as “Coming Soon”. Although retail release dates exist for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One releases, it does not appear they were ever shipped. However, a few copies of the game on disc for PC appear to have shipped across Europe.
About the Game
Paranoia is a CRPG that takes place in humanity’s last idyllic refuge, Alpha Complex, which is controlled by Friend Computer. All citizens enjoy a life of joy, cheerfulness and cleanliness. Questioning the benevolence of Friend Computer is an act of treason. Having access to information beyond your security clearance is an act of treason. Refusing to drink your daily dose of Bouncy Bubble Beverage is an act of treason. Treason is punishable by summary execution.
Stay alert! Trust no one!
Traitors are everywhere, plotting to destroy The Computer, Alpha Complex itself, and our precious way of life. Identify them, report them – or eliminate them as the treasonous scum they are. Keep your laser handy!
You lead a team of Troubleshooters with RED security clearance. Your job is to find trouble – and shoot it. Friend Computer monitors your every move, alert for any sign of treason, and will undoubtedly reward you for prompt and heroic action in defence of Alpha Complex – or punish treasonable acts, possibly by assigning you to be used as reactor shielding.
- A retro-futuristic world filled with technologies as wondrous as they are deadly
- Create and lead a team of four Troubleshooters working for Friend Computer
- Choose your specialisations from 9 available skills
- Unique character progression through cloning (if you die, you progress!)
- Real time tactical combat system with active pause, inspired by classic CRPG games
- Original enemies, including malfunctioning robots, aggressive drinks dispensers and defective clones
Thanks to Wakayama_PT for submitting this game to the site