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Teardown 2022
Teardown is a 2022 sandbox video game blending puzzle and action gameplay. It is developed and published by Tuxedo Labs. The game’s narrative centers on the owner of a struggling demolition firm who gets involved in a risky job and ends up assisting police investigations while accepting more questionable tasks. Players navigate through campaign missions that involve destructible voxel-based environments. Each level contains objectives tied to security alarms, with players needing to collect or destroy specific items within a time limit.
In most scenarios, players have unlimited preparation time and are equipped with upgradable tools, vehicles, and explosives. The goal is to plan a route through the level to fulfill mission goals and escape before time expires. The game employs a custom-built engine created by Dennis Gustafsson, who started developing this technology after closing his previous company, Mediocre, in 2017. Initially incorporating ray-traced destructible voxels, he later refined the design after discarding several concepts, settling on a two-phase heist framework.
Working alongside former Mediocre designer Emil Bengtsson, Gustafsson frequently posted development updates on Twitter. This strategy generated significant interest without traditional marketing efforts. The game was officially announced in October 2019, with an early access version released in October 2020. Full availability followed in April 2022.
Prior to and during its early access period, Teardown garnered positive feedback. Upon release, it received favorable reviews highlighting its physics engine, interactive elements, visual presentation, artistic design, and soundtrack. Some critics noted issues with the campaign flow and storyline, while others pointed out flaws in control schemes. The game's mod support was seen as a key factor for long-term appeal. By August 2022, Teardown had sold 1.1 million copies. Its commercial success led to Tuxedo Labs being acquired by Saber Interactive under the Embracer Group. Ports for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, published by Saber Interactive, launched in November 2023, increasing the total player base to 2.5 million.
Crew
- Director
- Dennis Gustafsson
- Designer
- Dennis Gustafsson, Emil Bengtsson
- Programmer
- Dennis Gustafsson
- Artist
- Emil Bengtsson, John Kearney
- Writer
- Dennis Gustafsson
- Music
- Douglas Holmquist
Details
- Developer
- Tuxedo Labs
- Publisher
- PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Saber Interactive, Tuxedo Labs, Windows
- Platforms
- Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
