Sleeping Dogs prototype reveals early development footage

A 2011 prototype of the video game ‘Sleeping Dogs’ has surfaced online, providing a rare look at the title during its development phase. The footage reveals significant differences between this early version and the final product released in 2012.

The project originally began development under the working title ‘Black Lotus’ and was later known as ‘True Crime: Hong Kong’ before Square Enix acquired the rights. Following the cessation of funding from Activision in 2011, the project transitioned into the standalone intellectual property ‘Sleeping Dogs’ published by Square Enix.

The leaked material, which includes over 30 minutes of gameplay, showcases unfinished story sequences, placeholder dialogue, and different voice acting. It also highlights mechanics that were ultimately removed or altered, such as optional secondary objectives for extra experience, gang territory conquest activities, and expanded phone functions for the protagonist, Wei Shen. The prototype also features different weapons, vehicles, and music that were not included in the final release.