This week’s Video Games Awards marked a grand return Activision’s sandbox series.

True Crime receives a complete makeover this time with a new development studio, United Front Games in Vancouver, taking the reigns.

The game has the distinct flavour of Hong Kong action thriller, Infernal Affairs, with the main character being an undercover cop recruited to a low level in the Triads.

Maria Stipp, EVP and GM of Owned Properties, with Activision Publishing enthused: “We’ve been waiting for the right story and opportunity to bring True Crime to a new generation of gamers in 2010. United Front Games has the vision to bring this new undercover game experience to life, where fans will play out their own epic Hong Kong action thriller!”

United Front Games, who have previously worked on games as diverse as Bully, Spore and the NHL Sports franchise, are also very excited to be breathing new life into True Crime.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to deliver a complete reboot of the True Crime experience,” said Stephen van der Mescht, Executive Producer at United Front Games.  “As our Spike TV VGA reveal trailer shows, we are dedicated to creating both an exceptional open-world gameplay experience through our combat, free-running, shooting and driving mechanics, as well as a rich story with memorable recurring characters.  We want players to feel like an undercover cop experiencing the moral dilemmas and life and death situations of the HK underworld.”