SOKO 1977
Anti Terror Task Force
How far would you go to defend democracy and the state?
Only a couple of weeks to apprehend left-wing terrorist cells. The political and social pressure is immense; all eyes are on you.
SOKO 1977 is a historical-political game about the conflicts of the 1970s in the Federal Republic of Germany: How would you act as the head of a special task force?
About the game
SOKO 1977 condenses the real-life historical events of the 1970s into a six-week period and encourages players to reflect on the ethical and legal dimensions of state security measures.
The scenario is historically plausible, though not a retelling of actual history. The characters and events are based on real-life models, but have been abstracted and fictionalised. The real-world historical references are made transparent within the game. Historical plausibility and responsible treatment of the subject matter are ensured through in-depth research and historical consultation.
Gameplay
SOKO 1977 combines strategy and management mechanics with procedural generation to create a unique historical-political rogue-like experience.
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Investigate: Create suspect profiles and carry out police operations
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Interrogation: Interrogate suspects and weigh up how far you are willing to go
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Communication: Face questions from the press and the public
- Decision-making: Navigate a police station styled after the 1970s whilst time is running out
Education & Application
SOKO 1977 is being developed on behalf of the Federal Agency for Civic Education. The game encourages reflection on key questions:
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To what extent may a state restrict freedom in order to ensure security?
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Where do the limits of legitimate security measures lie?
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How does a democracy deal with threats without betraying its own values?
Learning objectives
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German Autumn: Understanding the social and political conflicts of the 1970s
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Rule of law and security: Reflecting on the tension between freedom and security
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Historical judgement: Making decisions in complex situations and experiencing their consequences
- Perspective-taking: Understanding the dilemmas of state action
Areas of application
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History: The Federal Republic of Germany in the 1970s, the RAF, the German Autumn
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Politics / Social Studies: Rule of law, security policy, fundamental rights
- Ethics / Philosophy: Moral dilemmas, proportionality, responsibility
Release
SOKO 1977 is set to be released in early 2027 for PC and Mac. Further information is expected to be published in mid-2026 during Gamescom.