Imagine managing fire, police and medical services simultaneously in real time. That’s your day in Emergency HQ, a mobile strategy game that demands quick decisions and smart planning to save lives and avert disaster.
Blending classic city-building with fast-paced rescue missions, Emergency HQ has stayed true to the save-don’t-destroy characteristic that defines the Emergency game series, which has now been around for nearly 30 years.
Jan Richter (CEO) and Andreas Epple (CTO) of Sixteen Tons Entertainment spoke to the App Store Editors about real-life firefighters loving the game, how it has evolved and what kind of Easter eggs players should look out for.
About Emergency HQ
App Store debut: 2017
HQ: Berlin, Germany
Team size: 25
Fun fact: Sixteen Tons is one of Germany’s oldest game studios, making games for more than 30 years
Fan hotspots: Germany and the US
Strategy with heart and humanity
In Emergency HQ, you’re the ultimate first responder. From mountain avalanches and house fires to motorway pile-ups, you coordinate specialist units, direct them to disaster sites and carry out rescue ops, firefighting and vehicle recoveries.
Missions are short but intense, designed for mobile play and require a mix of fast reactions and tactical thinking. Its realism – from technical details to the fleet of vehicles – is matched by its uplifting tone, with successful rescues at its heart.
“It was never about staging destruction,” Epple tells us about the dynamics of the game. “Our goal has always been to convey what it feels like to truly help.”
From bold concept to mobile hit
The roots of Emergency HQ go back to the mid-90s, when most strategy games focused on war. Shifting the focus to saving lives was therefore groundbreaking and in 2017 the team made the jump to mobile. The game was reimagined for short play sessions, without losing strategic depth.
“There wasn’t a genre that fit us, so we created our own,” says Richter. “That’s what makes Emergency HQ unique to this day.”
There’s no real competition in Emergency HQ, and that’s no accident. The mix of real-time strategy, base building and life-saving missions is one of a kind. For every successful mission, you’ll be rewarded with coins and emeralds that you can use to expand your headquarters and train your emergency services so that you can save lives even faster.
Easter eggs for eagle-eyed players
Look closely at the scene unfolding before you’ll see some quirky additions to the game – such as aliens in the crowd, a UFO at the scrapyard or a visual homage to classic children’s series Janoschs Traumstunde hidden in the Panama map. These touches show the care and love that’s gone into the game – something real-life emergency responders appreciate too.
Two fanbases, one game
In Germany, the fanbase includes many medics and volunteer firefighters who praise the game’s realism. In the US, it’s more about the hero moments.
“In the US, it’s the adrenaline rush – rescuing someone just in time,” explains Richter. “In Germany, it’s about authenticity and realistic gameplay.” Emergency HQ blends both to create a globally engaging experience for players.
Why players keep coming back
With more than 500 unique missions, new maps and global events, Emergency HQ is never short on action. Players unlock vehicles, expand their bases and compete in quick-fire missions.
“We want every mission to leave you feeling good – and ready to jump into the next,” says Epple.
A community that shapes the game
Emergency HQ thrives on its dedicated community. Fan feedback has helped shape the game – down to historic fire engines added by popular demand.
And there’s more to come: from safari rescues to co-op events, the game continues to grow while staying true to its roots – saving lives with strategy and care.
Emergency HQ is more than just a game, it’s a tribute to real-world heroes.