A UK police force has launched a new iPhone app to “engage with the public” but it has immediately been compared with Grand Theft Auto.
Northamptonshire Police released its free “First Response” app on the iPhone App Store where users complete time trials around its HQ in a virtual high-performance cop car.
However no sooner was it out and gamers started saying it had more than a passing resemblance to early editions of GTA…however users don’t actually get to steal police cars or kill drug dealers in the Northamptonshire Police app.
One blogger said: “The game bears a striking resemblance to Grand Theft Auto — albeit an amateurish one. There’s not many games where you drive around in a police car and that was immediately what I thought when I first saw it.”
One Twitter user said: “Lol@Northants Police game – it looks a bit like GTA.”
Northamptonshire Police said: “The app takes the form of a game, challenging members of the public to a time trial lap around a virtual version of Force headquarters grounds. Players get to drive a mini version of the Force’s own Skoda Octavia and gain time, speed and petrol as they race.
“The app is free to download from the iPhone App store and gives instant access to the Force website, Facebook page, Twitter account and YouTube page by clicking on the relevant icon when you open the app.”
Assistant Chief Constable Martin Jelley said: “We are always trying to think of new and innovative ways in which we can engage with members of the public. The iPhone app is a bit of fun, but also allows people to get in touch with us through our other very popular online channels.”
Via: The Sun