Automan

Automan (stylized as auto-MAN) is a series of s created by game developers Árimjal Kžeščírnji and Azamat Khatidze who also act as lead developers and producers during game development. The series is primarily developed by Seratofian game development house Alulim games (formerly Árlja games and Tarmacgear house), although recently some development has also taken place in Samotkhe, specifically in Mosavali studios and Velselexo and published by PT Alulim for worldwide consumption. The title refers to the games' inherent style of play around the vehicle and crime-related stories.

The games are set in various fictional locations based on real life counterparts and makes bold references to their real life counterparts within the game. Many locations featured in the game are not restricted to just southern Artemia. Some life locations featured in Automan include the city of Ambrosia and its surroundings in Tiperyn, which is known as Ambratia in the game, the city of Azxara in Seratof known as Asshara in the game, as well as the entire country of Chadratof and parts of Virginello based on Seratof and Velselexo. The first rendition of the game does not lampoon on any real-life setting and the first game to feature a fictional copy of such is Automan II set in Ambratia (Ambrosia, Tiperyn). The size of the game map also tends to increase with every coming installment of the game.

is set in an setting in which the player is free to decide when to do  and progress the story and complete side-tasks and missions independent of the main story line all consisting of various game elements such as, , , and in some missions or tasks , ,  as well as. Throughout the series, a common theme of story progression could be observed, with the protagonist(s) advancing through the ranks of the criminal world albeit with different motives and plot in each story/game. Antagonists present in the game are usually those obstructing the protagonist(s) path in various forms, as officers and other crime families or gangs.

Throughout its relatively short series timespan, the series has underwent transformations from different graphical settings known as "worlds", developing from 2-D worlds, then 3-D worlds, and finally progressing towards HD and UHD worlds. The first game was released by Árlja games in 1995 which was simply named Automan. Automan II was released 2 years after the release of the first one. Automan III released in 2001 and set in the fictional city of Stinkport based on various cities in Brigantica was considered a crucial turning point in the series' development and games in general with the introduction of the first fully 3-D world in an open-world setting, greatly influencing other games in the genre. It is generally believed that all the worlds are their own universes, meaning that locations in a specific world exist within the same universe albeit unseen in individual games. Some key stories or events that happened in previous games of a different universe may be sometimes explicitly indicated.

Automan as a series is widely acclaimed across the world and also one of the most commercially successful and profitable game series, grossing 14.3 Billion Zakkas throughout its 25 year existence. Automan has won countless of international awards praising its game design, technology, and gameplay, and has entered numerous lists and halls of fame as one of the most influential game series to ever be published. Many Seratofians regard the series as one of the most treasured national prides, although most of the game's content is not compatible with the majority of Seratofian customs and laws. As such, Automan has been met with many criticism and controversies regarding to its realistic portrayal of many taboo topics.

Installments
Since the release of the first game in 1995, Automan has a total of 8 games released for the main story series as well as 1 more planned for late 2020. There are 3 side story games which do not feature their own locations and settings whose story takes place in a preexisting location albeit with a different antagonist, missions, story, and sometimes different features such as added weapons, vehicles, and side activities.

Main series
The main series of Automan mainly focuses on a linear story line in which series within the same universe are connected, and series from different worlds are sometimes intertwined with that of previous series, although the direct effects of the previous games and events do not always appear as explicitly as in sequels of other games even for games of the same world.

The series began with the release of the first Automan game in the year 1995, followed by the sequel Automan 2 in May of 1997. These two games comprise all of the games released for Automan in the 2D world developed by Árlja games. Initially, the first Automan game was only released for the SP1, but in January of 1996, a PC version was released and in April of the same year, an MS-DOS version was released. Similar chains of events in respect to the release on different consoles for the second Automan game also occurred, with the version for the SP1 being released a few months before the final release for PC and subsequently MS-DOS and for the first time on the CVG.

The 3D world for Automan was introduced in 2001 with the release of Automan III on PC, SP2 and GBox in April of 2001. Many of the 3D world installments are marked with a huge variety of home release versions starting from the console, PC, handheld, and even into mobile. After the merger of Árlja games and Madgamez studios in 1999, more resources were allotted to game development, allowing for the shift from a top-view 2D game play into a more immersive 3D environment utilizing some of the first 3D engines such as renderware. Subsequently, Automan: Moslavina was released on February 2003 followed by Automan: Al-Wadiya on November 2004 after only one and a half years of production. These games featured more improvements and features to the game such as rideable motorcycles and parachutes in Automan III as well helicopters and flyable planes. These three games comprise the 3D world of Automan.

In the summer of 2006, Alulim games announced the sequel to Automan III which will be set "in a different world from previous games", hinting at a new graphics world for the game. It was revealed in late 2006 that Automan IV would take place in the HD universe, and will focus on a wider range of details and graphics than previous games. The release of Automan IV on various home releases such as the SP3 and PC in June of 2007 formalized the series' entry into the HD universe. An online multiplayer mode was added in 2009 subsequently titled "Automan: Multiplayer". In 2010, Stories from Godezhiya was released to the general public, introducing for the first time in the series' history three different locations within one single game that can not be directly accessed from one another. In 2012, Automan V was released as the sequel to Automan IV and gained widespread critical acclaim for its realism, game play, graphics, and cinematography. In 2018, it was confirmed that Automan V would be the last Automan game within the HD world.

Automan VI was finally announced by Alulim games in 2018 after 6 years of silence from the company. In 2019, it was confirmed that the game will take place in a new world, later known as the UHD universe. Game development this time was split between the Alulim games studios in Alulim, Seratof and Mosavali studios in Samotkhe. According to lead developer and programmer Árimjal Kžeščírnji, Automan VI is 'no longer a triple-A game, but a quadruple-A game' for its immense size and overall world conditions and setting as it is one of the most realistic games ever produced. Automan VI is expected to be released in late 2020.

Side series
Right after the release of Automan III which gained widespread acclaim and popularity, many question the possibility of additional missions or an entirely new story set in the universe of Automan III. Tarmacgear games responded with such possibilities shortly after the release but did not give any further statements regarding the possible release of a game that relies heavily on a game released prior. After some feedback from the community and consultation from developers, a "missions pack" for Automan III would be released sometime in 2002. The working title of Automan III: Mission Pack was then changed to Automan: Facades of Stinkport shortly before release, and improved on the previous game although still set in the Automan III universe with the same aesthetic and feel of the game. The new "Facades of Stinkport" offered a completely new story line which is set before the events of Automan III, in which a new protagonist was introduced to the game as well as several new weapons and features such as a more robust day-night cycle as well as more drivable vehicles. The new game was supposed to be the prequel of the events of Automan III, in which the protagonist of "Facades of Stinkport" also appear as a "mission giver" in Automan III. Automan: Facades of Stinkport was released in July of 2002 for the SP2, GBox, and for PC using either Doors or Pear operating systems. An iOS version was released in 2013.

Two more side series games were released by Alulim games for Automan between 2006 and 2009. Automan: Oasis Springs was released in 2006 and set in the fictional city of Al-Wadiya based on the Automan game of the same name. "Oasis Springs" would become the last installment of the Automan series set in the 3D world. Automan: Assharan Episodes was released in 2009 and is the only side series game set in the HD universe. The events of Oasis Springs details the aftermath of Automan: Al-Wadiya along with an expanded map, while Automan: Assharan Episodes delve into the events happening prior to the events of Automan IV.

Spin-offs and TV shows
The success of the Automan games have spawned several spin-off games created by other companies while heavily borrowing elements from the series. Several notable spin-offs which has reached a level of critical acclaim include Velic Dreams (2007) released in Velselexo, Doghunt (2010), and Yarovgear (2014). While not direct copies of Automan, these games are generally treated as an expansion of the Automan universe although set in completely different settings and are considered to not be in the same universe.

A Seratofian TV show endorsed by Alulim games titled "A man's life" in Anglic commenced production in 2010. The series portrayed many of the elements found within Automan games, but is in general treated like any regular crime-related show. The show had average ratings, and eventually only ran for two seasons. A documentary about the behind-the-scenes of Automan game productions was also released in 2014 using footage shot during production as well as company documentation from when Automan V was still in production.

"The Industry", an Alvak crime drama TV series filmed in 2015, took influence from the Automan series, especially Automan V.

Setting
All games in the Automan series are fictional locations based heavily on real-life settings. The games are mainly based on a fictional Anterra also based heavily on real-life settings and occurrences, with most of the countries portrayed having similar names or even having the same names as the ones depicted in real life. Countries such as Chadratof and Virginello (Seratof and Velselexo) have their own depictions and names in the game, however other countries bordering them in real life have the same names in-game (Samotkhe, Svenskt, etc.). Some fictional locations based on specific cities within a country have different names from the ones in real life, but the nation names are generally kept the same, such as Ambratia in Tiperyn (based on Ambrosia, Tiperyn as well as Stinkport in Brigantica (based on various Brigantican cities).

The tradition of basing the games' location off a real-life location began in Automan II when Ambrosia was chosen to be the location of the new Automan game, however, to avoid mapping out real streets and addresses in Ambrosia as well as the lack of curving roads in the game, the developers decided instead to base the location heavily off Ambrosia while still in Tiperyn to allow for more creative freedom in environment-making and to allow for the city to fit within the developers' intentions for the game. The first Automan was set in a completely fictional city called "Moon City", although elements of Moon city can clearly be seen to be inspired from real-life landmarks.

Locations starting from the 3D universe have been able to incorporate more elements from its real-life counterparts into the game due to an increased game environment and area. The city of Stinkport found in Automan III makes heavy references to criminal and daily life in Brigantican cities, and is comprised of two main islands. Moslavina is based on Rovsnoska, and also features surrounding areas in addition to key natural formations surrounding the area. Al-Wadiya is based on the real-life locations of Qudama and Neu-Thalakrad in Alvakalia, and is the first location in Automan to feature deserts. Al-Wadiya is unique in that it is a fictional province of Alvakaliaa and not just a single city with surroundings. There are two major cities in Al-Wadiya being based on Qudama and Neu-Thalakrad as well as numerous other smaller towns based on the general style of settlements in the area.

Automan IV features the fictional city of Asshara in the country of Chadratof, referencing the city of Azxara in Seratof. Asshara also incorporates the suburbs of Azxara into its map as well as several surrounding areas. The city makes strong references to the city by placing real-life landmarks and buildings into the game. Prominent avenues and streets are also inserted in the game accompanied with the general style of buildings along the avenues.

A fictional representation of Kodeshia is featured in the game and is renamed to Godezhiya for Automan: Stories from Godezhiya. The locations featured in this game are an agglomeration of Kodeshia's iconic landscapes the three major regions, and incorporated into the game as three separate maps. The player can then freely move between the maps, however, the three separate maps require some missions to be completed before being able to access them either by plane or by bus. Each map is centered around a specific city with little countryside. The cities and regions are Huangcheng (皇城 lit: Imperial city) which is based on Songhari (with several aspects of Jiankang and Shangyu) featuring historic Imperial palace, ancient temples in a sprawling city along with rural areas featuring part of Kodeshi–Selengerian Demilitarized Zone (KSDZ) called the GGDZ in game Godezhiya-Guurdalai Demilitarized Zone, Daoxian (岛县 lit: Island county) is based on the Haigao or Jade Sea islands (with several aspects of Chenghai and Shangyu) featuring a megacity of that is much larger than the actual island captial Yingpu and is instead based on Chenghai. This sprawling rundown neon light city covers the majority this map with some smaller fishing villages and surrounding waters.

The final city is Hexiang (核乡 lit: Nuclear city) renamed Shanxiang in Kodeshia due to complaints over the name's references to the nuclear bombing of the city of Wujin, Kodeshia has been extremely aggressive in its stance against the depiction of nuclear warfare due to the historic events that took place in the country. This area is based on Wujin (with several aspects of Dafeng and Yuhang) it features city of Hexiang is based off Wujin but the surrounding setting the vast Kesh Dividing range mountains and smuggling regions with fictional representation of parts of the Hydar State and Asharistan.

The main story follows X, a Kodeshi-Tiperyn, visiting family in Hexiang. From here the player is caught up in a violent struggle between the Godezhiya police and the Triad organisation known as Xin yulong or New Jade Dragon Gang (based on the Xin Long or New Dragon Gang). The player has the choice to side with the police forces or with the gang. As the map opens the story expands to include rival gangs such as the fictional Tiperyn supported Asharistan based Caliphate tribal smugglers (always hostile), the fictional Selengerian based Guurdalai military (always hostile) and the fictional Hydari based Righteousness Path rebel forces and Godezhiya military factions in the Hexiang and Huangcheng regions. If the player attempts to leave the game world, they will effectively enter a restricted area where either the Godezhiya military or the Guurdalai military have supreme air power in those areas, bearing great lethality that serves as an invisible wall to bar the player from going out of bounds.

Entering these areas immediately prompts the players with a warning message by an unnamed radio operator telling them to get out quick. Choosing to ignore this warning prompts another message, informing that enemy aircraft are inbound. This is followed by enemy aircraft appearing to shoot the player with large salvos of explosives that are impossible to dodge and tough to survive. These are areas that usually surround the three maps, with Daoxian an island in which you will be shot out of the sky if flying or sunk if sailing into restricted areas by Godezhiya navy. While the Hexiang region is blocked by mountains, borders with Caliphate or Righteousness Path controlled territory. In Huangcheng they are bordered by a heavily defended GGDZ in which the Guurdalai forces will kill the player if getting too close to the border wall while the other areas are blocked by sea or by Godezhiya police and military roadblocks.

For the second time in the game's history, the map of Automan V does not revolve around a specific single city or sets of cities, instead an entire region. The game is set in the fictional country of Chadratof, but only the southern portions are available for the player to explore as well as miniscule parts of neighboring Virginello which can be accessed immediately. It includes a lot of terrain features from the original landscape in southern Seratof and contains major cities also found in the region. Several notable landmarks and natural features are also present in the game, although some elements such as roads can be quite different from the original.

Automan VI is believed to recreate the entire southern Artemian region within the game spanning 5 different countries at the same time. All countries in the southern Artemian region with the exception of Samotkhe which is only partly depicted is depicted in full although numerous alterations to the map have been made to accommodate game play. This is also the first Automan game in which different driving sides are present, making it consequently the first game in the series to feature vehicles that have either left hand or right hand drive. The map is touted to be one of the biggest game maps to ever be created.