In This Game You'll Be Able to Solve Criminal Cases with SQL
You don't need to know SQL to play!
If you like programming or would like to know how SQL works, you might like Database Detective: Minor Crimes Division, which is a puzzle game that allows you to solve criminal cases using SQL.
You'll become a Database Detective who helps the city of Los Zorangeles to solve different crimes, like someone not checking out of a hotel on time.
You don't need to know SQL to play this; the game will give you an introductory textbook of less than 20 pages, explaining the basics of the standard programming language and what you need to analyze the cases.
And if that's not enough, you'll have an assistant assigned to you who can help you with the cases or the SQL queries. This game mixes the programming language with detective work in a very funny way.
Thomas Hsu, the developer behind the game, gave an interview to gikPlus, explaining that the idea started around five years ago, thanks to his college's database science classes and his curiosity for SQL.
He also explained that he focused on making a fun game rather than an educational one. He made the textbook concise, fun to read, visual, and direct so players would not feel bored but would be able to understand the basics of SQL.
Hsu mentioned that the name of the city was inspired by a professor he had in college who once gave him the lowest grade in the class; as a joke, he decided to use the professor's name. Some of the detective games that inspired him were Golden Idol, Her Story, and Zachtronics.
You'll have to solve 10 cases that might sound absurd, but each one will be more difficult as you go along. The game is set to be released on July 17, 2026, on Steam.
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