The Escapists is a strategy game played from a top-down perspective. The game was developed by Mouldy Toof Studios and following a Steam Early Access release in 2014, was released in 2015 for Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Xbox 360, Xbox One and PlayStation 4. It was released on iOS and Android in 2017. A Nintendo Switch version of the game containing all downloadable content was released in 2018. The game was launched on the Epic Games Store on 23 September 2021, with the weekly free game campaign of Epic Games. Players assume the role of an inmate and must escape from prisons of increasing difficulty. Wikipedia
Research exclusive to this game
Levan, Kristine, and Steven Downing. “Virtual total control: Escaping a simulated prison.” Games and culture 14, no. 1 (2019): 46-66.
Research that includes this game in its sample
Levan, Kristine, Carla Cesaroni, and Steven Downing. “(Mis) Representations of Prison: Gender-and Prison-Themed Video Games.” Games and Culture 15, no. 6 (2020): 653-669.