Game Title: Gridlock
Every day I take three walks around my neighborhood. It’s a great way to keep sciatica and carpal tunnel at bay while loading up on Vitamin D and inspiration. In my area I see lots of folks living out of their cars and vans. It’s a layer of culture, community, and economic challenge - a setting for an indie film or indie game. I dictated this take with Chat GPT on my 2.5 mile stroll.
Game Title: Gridlock (Working Title)
Pitch:
Gridlock is a single-player, top-down, retro-pixel indie game for mobile and browser platforms, set in the hidden world of urban vehicle dwellers. Players live out of their car, taking on a mix of legal and illicit gigs to earn enough money to escape the streets.
Powered by real-world map data (e.g., Google Maps), the game lets players drive through a reskinned pixel-art version of actual cities, whether it’s their own neighborhood or a distant metropolis. Every mission is on a timer, forcing quick decisions and high-stakes driving. Missions range from legal food and package deliveries to high-risk getaways, heists, and smuggling jobs. A dynamic day/night cycle affects gameplay—daytime illegal work is dangerous due to heavy traffic and law enforcement, while nighttime jobs offer stealth but fewer legal gig opportunities.
Car maintenance is essential—players must keep their vehicle fueled, repaired, and upgraded. Running out of money or failing too many jobs can lead to debt, forcing them to take on low-tier gigs or work off what they owe to dangerous factions. A barter system offers alternative ways to recover from financial ruin.
Elements of the world are procedurally generated, ensuring endless replayability. Players navigate using in-game phones and CB radios, with AI-driven NPCs providing dynamic conversations and mission briefings. A procedural talk radio system delivers news, underground chatter, and surreal commentary.
The game blends grounded realism with heightened neo-noir storytelling, taking inspiration from John Wick and Collateral. Success means securing a way out of the life. Failure could mean losing everything and starting over with new conditions.
Who It's For:
Gridlock is for players who enjoy open-ended, immersive experiences with high-stakes decision-making. Fans of Grand Theft Auto 1 & 2 will appreciate the retro top-down driving and urban chaos, while those who love the gig-based structure of Crazy Taxi will find satisfaction in managing deliveries under pressure. Players drawn to the survival mechanics of This War of Mine or Neo Scavenger will enjoy the challenge of maintaining their vehicle and scraping by in a world that doesn’t wait for them.
Whether you prefer careful planning, high-risk getaways, or simply surviving the challenge of vehicular life, Gridlock delivers a tense experience where every choice matters.
