Publishers Square Enix has announced a brand new IP, and we love brand new IPs.

Sleeping Dogs is being pitched as a “gritty”, open-world cop drama set in the Hong Kong. The game is actually the third installment in the True Crime series – which Squeenix picked up after Activision cancelled the game.

So why the name change? Well as it turns out, Squeenix didn’t buy the name rights to the series – so now it’s Sleeping Dogs, and serves as a reboot and new IP for the company.

In Sleeping Dogs, players will play the role of undercover cop Wei Shen, who is tasked with taking down the Hong Kong Triads from the insides. As Shen is sucked deeper and deeper into the dark underground world of Hong Kong’s criminal networks, he begins to question his own motives.

Sleeping Dogs Screenshot

In terms of gameplay, Sleeping Dogs will combine melee combat, shooting and driving. Square Enix London Studios general manager, Lee Singleton, had this to say about the game:

“From the moment you pick up the controller and experience the blend of driving, close combat and shooting you know you’re playing something fresh and a bit special. Sleeping Dogs has one of the best melee combat systems out there — it’s super brutal with devastating takedown moves, and when added to UFG’s proven heritage in driving games, a first class story and the vibrant backdrop of the Hong Kong underworld we get a fiery recipe with fun written all over it.”

Sleeping Dogs Screenshot

Stephen Van Der Mescht, Executive Producer at United Front Games, added:

“Working on Sleeping Dogs has been such a huge passion for the team at United Front Games and we’re really pleased to be working with Square Enix London Studios. The extensive experience both our studios have in creating compelling openworld gameplay and rich and rewarding combat makes for a perfect partnership. Working together we can make sure that Sleeping Dogs is the most intense and immersive experience it can be.”

In development for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC at United Front Games, with help from Square Enix London Studios, Sleeping Dog is planned for release in the second half of 2012.