Crackdown (titled as Riot Act in Japan) is a free-form urban action video game released on February 20, 2007 for the Xbox 360 console. Developed by Realtime Worlds, and published by Microsoft, Crackdown was created by David Jones, who also created the original Grand Theft Auto and Lemmings.
Crackdown features sandbox-style gameplay similar to that in the Grand Theft Auto series, featuring co-op play in the same open environment as in the single-player mode. For example, one can start a race across the rooftops with a friend in cooperative mode. Co-op play can be played online and allows for entrance and exits by friends or other Xbox Live members. Depending on a player's settings, one can receive join requests from only friends or from everyone online.
Crackdown was released on February 20, 2007 in North America, on February 22, 2007 in Japan and Australia, and on February 23, 2007 in Europe. Anyone who purchases Crackdown in any shipment made before June 10th (end of Halo 3 beta) received an automatic entry into the Halo 3 beta. However, the game will not be sold in Germany due to the USK's decision to not rate the game.
Realtime Worlds have confirmed that Crackdown was designed from the outset to be a long running series of games much like Grand Theft Auto. Sequels for the game are very likely to be produced, especially if Crackdown performs well commercially.