One of the Biggest Crime Shows in History Is Getting a Video Game

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It was once common for video games to be directly based on movies and TV shows. Today, popular brands usually appear within existing games like Fortnite instead of getting their own dedicated titles. However, one of the most iconic gaming franchises ever is now looking to revisit that older approach.

A mobile game based on the Law & Order series is coming to Peacock. The game will be a mystery where players investigate crime scenes, aiming to capture the excitement of solving a case. Interestingly, the game’s development could spark a wider conversation about current trends in the gaming world.

Law & Order Is Getting A New Video Game

Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service, is adding a new mobile game called Law & Order: Clue Hunter. Based on the popular TV show, the game lets players investigate crime scenes and find clues to solve cases. This is part of NBCUniversal’s strategy to combine gaming with its television content, similar to what Netflix is doing with its own game offerings. Interestingly, Law & Order has been adapted into a video game before – Law & Order: Dead on the Money was released in 2002 for Windows and later Mac OS.

The original point-and-click game did surprisingly well, which led to several sequels. Even Telltale Games created a seven-part adventure game called Law & Order: Legacies, but it was removed from online stores when Telltale didn’t renew the rights to the show. A mobile game focusing on the show’s detective work feels like a better fit for players than the earlier games, which prioritized atmosphere over actual gameplay. Letting players be a detective in the Law & Order universe, even in a simplified mobile version, is a strong design choice. However, Law & Order: Clue Hunter is entering a potentially tricky area with its gameplay.

Law & Order’s New Game Uses Generative AI

Both Law & Order: Clue Hunter and Public Eye are games created by Wolf Games, a studio run by Elliot Wolf, the son of Law & Order creator Dick Wolf. This means the development of any Law & Order game is closely linked to the people behind the TV show. Last year, Wolf Games announced they were partnering with NBC and would be using their own AI technology to build games. AI is a controversial topic, particularly in gaming. While some companies hope AI will allow them to make games faster and cheaper, many developers and players worry it will devalue the work of individual artists and creators.

Several large game companies, like EA, have stopped using AI-generated content because most gamers aren’t fans of it. NBCUniversal’s decision to use this technology for their game, Clue Hunter, likely won’t be well-received by hardcore gamers. However, Clue Hunter seems to be targeting casual players who use the Peacock streaming app, which might help them avoid the criticism other game developers have faced. It will be interesting to see how the game performs and changes over time, especially as the debate around AI in gaming continues to grow.

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2026-03-17 22:12