COP BASTARD Development History: From 2022 Demo to Launch
Four years from a free demo to a finished game.
COP BASTARD's development history spans four public years: solo developer targim. showed the game with a Steam demo on October 3, 2022, publisher Retrovibe came aboard, and the finished shooter launched on October 29, 2026. It is a complete solo-development arc, from free teaser to published game.
Timeline
- October 3, 2022. A free demo appears on Steam (app ID 2174740), introducing the slow-motion combat and comic-panel presentation. See the demo details.
- 2022 to 2026. Solo development continues. Publisher Retrovibe, a label specializing in retro-styled shooters, joins the project.
- October 29, 2026. The full game launches simultaneously on Steam and GOG at $11.69, with the Digital Compendium DLC ($2.69) available day one.
The solo developer behind it
targim. built the entire game alone: the combat design, the comic panels, the Unity implementation and the Endless Mode systems. The four-year demo-to-launch gap is realistic for solo work, and the demo's early availability kept the project visible throughout.
Retrovibe's role
Publisher Retrovibe gave the game its distribution: dual-store launch, store presentation and the audience reach that comes with a publisher known for retro shooters. The same-day Steam and GOG release was part of that plan.
FAQ
Who developed COP BASTARD?
The solo developer targim., with publisher Retrovibe handling release.
When did development start publicly?
With the Steam demo on October 3, 2022.
How long did the game take?
At least four years passed between the public demo and the full launch.