Historical-political deduction game from Paintbucket Games and the bpb sheds light on the Federal Republic of Germany in the 1970s
May 20, 2026 – The Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb) and the award-winning Berlin-based development studio Paintbucket Games are happy to announce their new project, SOKO 1977: Anti-Terror Task Force. This historical-political deduction game with roguelike elements transports players to the Federal Republic of Germany in the 1970s – a time of political tensions, social upheaval, and escalating conflicts.
In SOKO 1977, players take charge of a special police task force during a state of emergency. They must uncover terrorist networks, identify suspects, and coordinate operations. Under time pressure and with limited information, players must carefully evaluate clues and weigh the risks. Procedurally generated elements create a new investigative story with different challenges in every playthrough. The game condenses fictionalized, plausible scenarios based on real historical events into an intense setting where every decision has consequences.
In addition to operational police work, social and interpersonal dynamics also play an important role: Players face critical questions from the press, conduct interrogations, interact with their team, and actively shape public perception of their work – all while pressure from politics, society, and the media continues to mount. At the same time, SOKO 1977 repeatedly raises key questions: How far can the state go to ensure the safety of its citizens? Which measures are legitimate, and where are the limits of action under the rule of law?
The game is being developed on behalf of the Federal Agency for Civic Education and is based on extensive historical research and expert consultation with historians specializing in contemporary and police history. It is not a retelling of real history, but rather uses fictionalized, historically plausible scenarios to encourage discussion about government action, democracy, and extremism.
SOKO 1977: Anti-Terror Task Force will be released on Steam in early 2027. More information is available on the official website.
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About Paintbucket Games
Paintbucket Games is a multi-award-winning indie studio based in Berlin, founded in 2018 by former AAA developers Jörg Friedrich and Sebastian St. Schulz. The studio’s goal is to create games that explore political themes, memory culture, and socially sensitive topics while leaving a lasting impression. Following the award-winning debut title Through the Darkest of Times, in which players coordinate a civilian resistance group in Nazi-era Berlin, the studio developed The Darkest Files, which explores the legal investigation of Nazi crimes in postwar Germany. For The Darkest Files, Paintbucket Games received the German Computergame Award 2026 for “Best German Game” and “Best Serious Game.” The team is currently working on SOKO 1977: Anti-Terror Task Force as well as other projects.
About the Federal Agency for Civic Education/bpb
The work done by the Federal Agency for Civic Education (Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung/bpb) centers on promoting awareness for democracy and participation in politics. It takes on topical and historical subjects by issuing publications, by organizing seminars, events, study trips, exhibitions and competitions, by providing extension training for journalists and by offering films and online products. The broad range of educational activities provided by the bpb is designed to motivate people and enable them to give critical thought to political and social issues and play an active part in political life.
