Los Sueños

Life in Los Sueños is unforgiving. The sidewalks are littered with the tents of the homeless, people clamor for money to keep themselves off the streets. Criminal activity is at an all time high.

Headquarter's Briefing on Los Sueños

City of Los Sueños
The city seal of Los Sueños
An aerial render of Los Sueños, as seen in the Headquarters
Location	Los Sueños County, California, United States

Los Sueños ("The Dreams" in Spanish), alternatively Los Suenos or L.S., is the primary setting of Ready or Not. It is a major metropolitan city located on the West Coast of the United States, in the state of California, within a somewhat close proximity to the U.S.–Mexico border. It is located on the Pacific coast in a largely semi-arid environment, though some neighborhoods within the city limits are more mixed (such as Makade, a sparsely-populated forest).

Founded in 1781, Los Sueños grew in 1888 as a result of a gold rush. It found its fortune through trade in the late 1920s, and is implied to have been a prosperous and highly-developed metropolis for much of the 20th century. By the mid-2020s however, Los Sueños underwent a period of significant economic and social decline, evident from massive crime spikes, visible widespread homelessness, notable corruption and misconduct in the city's government and businesses, unkempt streets and public areas, and visible deterioration of buildings and infrastructure. Despite its downturn, Los Sueños is still home to several major businesses and features fairly well-off neighborhoods, modern well-dressed structures, expansive trade and transportation infrastructure including a port and an airport, and an otherwise passable quality of life for most law-abiding (and already well-off) residents, though for the most part the city's problems are very apparent in everyday life.

Law enforcement and public safety in Los Sueños is provided by the Los Sueños Police Department (LSPD). Tactical and emergency support is provided by the LSPD's Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit.

Background Events

By the time of Ready or Not's setting in 2025-2026, the following are suggested to have resulted in Los Sueños's decline and rising crime rates:

• Economic Disarray — Los Sueños seems to be suffering from an economic crisis. The city government, as well as most institutions and a non-insignificant percentage of the population, are shown to be struggling financially in one way or another. The U.S. dollar is suggested to be on the decline, though it is unclear how severe this decline is. A banking crisis is also mentioned, which is implied to be preventing people from withdrawing money.
• Environmental Issues — Los Sueños's location, in a semi-arid environment next to a coast, makes it particularly prone to climate change's worst effects. In particular, the city is often affected by droughts and wildfires, which devastate the region's environment.
• Sanitation Strike — A sanitation workers' strike is mentioned to be occurring in 2025, meaning garbage collection in Los Sueños is on hold indefinitely. This results in massive piles of garbage waiting for collection and trash littering numerous public streets. However, considering the city's other problems, it is unlikely much would change regardless of the strike.
• Civilian Morale — The overall conditions of Los Sueños, combined with economic struggles, already high crime rates, racial and class disparities, and political polarization and radicalization, are shown to negatively affect the citizens of Los Sueños. In many 911 call recordings heard in briefings, the callers frequently interrupt themselves to exclaim that they hate living in Los Sueños, with the implication it is due to all of the city's problems. While many do not turn to crime, a non-insignificant fraction do, usually but not always out of desperation or opportunity. Some even turn to extremism and terrorist groups, such as the Carriers of the Vine and The Left Behind.
• Category 5 Hurricane - In February 2026, a devastating Category-5 hurricane labelled Hurricane Antonio devastates Los Sueños County. Major infrastructure damage and s stretched-thin police department lead to increased gang activity and crime.

History

1781 — The city of Los Sueños is founded, according to the city's seal.

1867 — Los Sueños's first train station is opened.

1888 — The Los Sueños Gold Rush draws settlers and migrants to Los Sueños, and the city begins to grow rapidly. This event happens exactly 40 years after the real-life California Gold Rush.

1896 — A major train crash forces Los Sueños's train station to close for 16 months.

1927 — Los Sueños begins to benefit from trade, particularly import-export shipping.

1997 — A massive fire breaks out in the city, and hundreds are killed in the low-income area of 213 Park.

2002 - Los Sueños Riots of 2002. Violence affects Korean-American communities.

2020 — Protests, riots, and unrest break out in Los Sueños, implied to be caused by police misconduct, which heavily affect minority communities.

2022 — Riots break out in Los Sueños again.

2025 — The events of Ready or Not begin.

February

• The LSPD deploys their SWAT team, led by Judge, to handle an armed robbery at the 4U Gas Station on 5th Street South.

April

• The Hand, a Yemeni terrorist group, commits a mass shooting at the Neon Nightclub in Downtown Los Sueños.

May

• The Hand commits a mass shooting at Coastal Grove Medical Center in an attempt to rescue their leader from custody, but LSPD SWAT stops them.

June

• LSPD SWAT deploys to a shootout at Cherryessa Family Vineyards in Santa Vino with the Carriers of the Vine, a vigilante New Age cult.

August

• Gerard Scott, an unstable former United States Intelligence Agency (USIA) agent, kills five police officers in an attack on a police station in Makade, prompting LSPD SWAT to raid his cabin in nearby Sullivan's Slope.

September

• The LSPD raids methamphetamine producers in the 213 Park housing project.
• The Left Behind, a terrorist group composed of disaffected military veterans, takes hostages at the Brisa Cove Luxury Apartments and tries to assassinate U.S. Senator Cornelius Fremont, prompting the LSPD to deploy SWAT to stop them.

October

• The Left Behind and sympathetic Secret Service defectors take U.S. Senator Cornelius Fremont's family hostage at the Clemente Hotel, and the LSPD SWAT deploys to rescue them.
• The LSPD, FISA, and BDRTAC launch a joint operation at the U.S.–Mexico border to arrest members of Los Locos Del Pacificos, a street gang with Mexican connections, fleeing to Tijuana.
• A mass shooting occurs at Watt Community College and is stopped by LSPD SWAT.
• The LSPD and the Federal Investigation and Security Agency (FISA) engage in a shootout at a postal facility on 7th Avenue East with Los Locos.

December

• The LSPD raids a family producing and selling illegally-modified firearms in Kawayu.
• LSPD SWAT is deployed for a reported hostage situation at the San Uriel Condominiums.
• Mindjot, a morally-dubious technology company, is raided by the LSPD in connection to a child pornography ring.
• The LSPD raids a suspected child pornography ring in The Row, operated by George Brixley.

2026 — The events of Ready or Not continue.

January

• The LSPD serves an arrest warrant at the house of Amos Voll in relation to a child pornography ring.

February

• LSPD SWAT intervenes to assist undercover detectives during a shootout at Cesar's Cars Dealership in North Hills with Los Locos gangsters and Human Traffickers.
• The LSPD, FISA, and ATF launch a joint operation at Port Hokan to stop arms distribution and human trafficking by Human Traffickers.
• Hurricane Antonio devastates Los Sueños.
• LSPD SWAT raid the Greenside Dormitories after a LSPD officer was injured attempting to remove the homeless people from the building.
• Eco-terrorist group, the United Planet Front (UPF), invade the home of an oil-industry lobbyist and hold him and his family hostage, prompting a SWAT response.
• SWAT must save an undercover-officer from being murdered by Los Locos.

2027 — The events of Ready or Not continue.

September

• LSPD SWAT raids a boat owned by a Qatari oligarch while its out at sea, in order to save hostages on board.

October

• A UPF gunman fails to assassinate Governor Whitfield of California.
• The UPF seize control of an oil rig and kill numerous civilians, prompting a response by LSPD SWAT and COAST.

November

• The USIA tips of the LSPD about a suspicious deal between two gangs at an abandoned hotel. LSPD SWAT stops the deal, uncovering a chemical weapon and a kidnapped scientist.

Known Neighborhoods and Locations

• Downtown — The central core of Los Sueños.
  • Clemente Hotel — A large luxury hotel in Downtown. It is referred to as Clemente Apartments on an old blueprints, suggesting it was converted into a hotel later in its lifespan. It is the setting of Sins of the Father.
  • Neon Nightclub — A popular nightclub in Downtown. It is the setting of Neon Tomb.
• Southside — A mixed-use commercial and residential neighborhood in South Los Sueños.
  • 4U Gas Station — A large gas station and convenience store with a connected diner, managed by Mudasir Varma. It is part of a larger chain of stores; this particular location is located at Fifth Street and Vandrake. It is the setting of Thank You, Come Again.
• Dawson Gardens — A housing project in South Los Sueños, possibly in or near Southside. Andre Williams, Zion Pretlow, and Jayden Fletcher, the suspects in Thank You, Come Again, live here, but it does not appear.
  • 213 Mission High School — A high school in or near Dawson Gardens. Andre Williams attends this school, and Jayden Fletcher was expelled from it for selling marijuana on school grounds.

• Muerto Mesa - A seemingly sparse, empty desert area on the outskirts of Los Sueños that borders Mexico. While it initially doesn't appear to be part of the city of Los Sueños, the LSPD does have authority there, indicating that it is part of the city limits. Possibly based on the real-life location Otay Mesa.
  • US-Mexico Border - In Rust Belt, you can see the barrier separating the United States and Mexico a short distance away.
  • Rancho Del Suenos - Occupied by Los Locos Del Pacificos, it is abandoned farm with miles worth of tunnels underneath, used to smuggle people across the border.
  • Costa Vino Border Reserve - Area where Rancho Del Suenos is located.
  • Ancient Tunnels - Underground stone tunnels built thousands of years ago by the Ancient Mexica peoples. Largely destroyed in order to be repurposed by Los Locos.

• San Uriel — A built-up residential or mixed-use neighborhood.
  • San Uriel Condominiums — A three-floor apartment complex in San Uriel. Michael Williams and his family live here. It is the setting of 23 Megabytes a Second.
• 213 Park Homes — A low-income residential housing project known for its high crime. It is also referred to as 213 Park or 213 District.
  • Lot 212/213 — A pair of properties in 213 Park Homes. One property went into foreclosure and was lost in bank systems, while the other belonged to a family but was abandoned during fumigation after they were killed on a trip; both were later converted into a compound for methamphetamine production. It is the setting of Twisted Nerve.
• The Row — A low-income, largely . Per its name, it seems to be a "skid row", an urban neighborhood with a large homeless population and high poverty rates.
  • Brixley Talent Time — A talent agency in a warehouse, used as a front for a child pornography ring. It is owned and operated by George Brixley. It is the setting of The Spider.
• Makade — A neighborhood on the northern outskirts of Los Sueños. The southern part of Makade appears to contain suburban buildings, but the northern part of Makade consists of sparsely-populated, forested, mountainous terrain. Which most of the mountainous areas are parts of Los Sueños County, Makade Forest is included in the city limits, so the LSPD does have jurisdiction.
  • East Makade Police Station — An LSPD station in Makade. The station is attacked by Gerard Scott shortly before the events of A Lethal Obsession, killing five police officers and destroying several police cars.
  • Sullivan Slope National Park — A national park located in Makade. Gerard Scott lives here, in a cabin near Makade Falls, a waterfall and trail located in the park. It is the setting of A Lethal Obsession.
  • Mountain Tunnel System? - A map owned by Gerard Scott shows a red arrow pointing towards a spot on a map labelled "MOUNTAIN TUNNEL SYSTEM." It is unknown if the tunnel system even exists, or if it is just part of Scott's insane ramblings. Assuming it does exist, it is either abandoned; or operating by the USIA; perhaps even the MLO.
• Brisa Cove — A neighborhood of Los Sueños. By looking out the window in, Ides of March, it appears to have lots of bustling streets and skycrapers. This, however, does not match up with the aerial photograph we can find in the evidence locker.
  • Brisa Cove Memorial Park — A park in Brisa Cove. U.S. Senator Cornelius Fremont is shot here while giving a speech shortly before the events of Ides of March.
  • Brisa Cove Luxury Apartments — A large luxury apartment building south of Brisa Cove Memorial Park. It is the setting of Ides of March.
• Colina Beach — A sparse, hilly region of Los Sueños. Despite its name, it does not appear to be near a waterfront at all, and instead seems to be on the outskirts of the city.
  • Mindjot Datacenter — A state-of-the-art data center operated by Mindjot for their operations in Los Sueños. It is the setting of Sinuous Trail.
• Kawayu Beach — A coastal residential neighborhood with access to a beach beneath the cliffside it is built upon. It is also referred to as Kawayu.
  • 128 Windy Coast Drive — A two-story beachfront residential property. The Tran family lives here. It is the setting of Ends of the Earth.
  • Kawayu Pier - A wooden pier containing containing a small amusement park (including a ferris wheel) and concession stands. It can be seen a short distance away in Ends of the Earth and appears to be based off the real-life Santa Monica Pier.
• East Los Sueños — A built-up mixed-use neighborhood in East Los Sueños.
  • Los Sueños Postal Service— A post office and general-use postal facility serving Los Sueños. It is unclear whether it is operated by the United States Postal Service or a private courier service. It is the setting of Greased Palms.
  • Los Sueños International Airport — The airport serving Los Sueños. Located near the Los Sueños Postal Service building, it is mentioned in the briefings of Twisted Nerve and Greased Palms; the latter confirms it is located in East Los Sueños. Its airport code is LSX and it was the location of the LSX Siege in the 1990s.
• Los Clemente — A wealthy gated residential neighborhood built along a large hillside.
  • Voll Health House — A large modern hillside mansion. Amos Voll, Daniela Voll, and Janey Voll live here. It is the setting of Valley of the Dolls.
• Watt Beach — A neighborhood centered around the Watt Community College.
  • Watt Community College — A higher education institution in Watt Beach. It features multiple academic disciplines with their own wings, including chemistry. It is the setting of Elephant.
• North Hills — A built-up mixed-use neighborhood of Los Sueños, seemingly somewhat close to Downtown.
  • Caesar's Cars Dealership — A large car dealership used as a front for trafficking operations by Los Locos and Human Traffickers. It is the setting of Buy Cheap, Buy Twice.
• Santa Vino — A rural neighborhood on the outskirts of Los Sueños.
  • Cherryessa Family Vineyards — A vineyard used as a compound by the Carriers of the Vine. It is the setting of Carriers of the Vine.
• Coastal Grove — A neighborhood of Los Sueños. As the mission it appears in, Relapse, lacks clear views outside, little is known about its characteristics, but a render of Coastal Grove Medical Center seen in the mission's briefing suggests it is mixed-use and contains few tall buildings.
  • Coastal Grove Medical Center — A general hospital in Coastal Grove. It appears to be the largest building in Coastal Grove. It is the setting of Relapse.
  • Temporary Hospital - Set up outside the Coastal Grove Medical Center during and after the mission Relapse. It consists of multiple ambulances and tents with first aid crosses. An olive drab jeep can also be seen there; possible assistance from National Guard? It can be seen while crossing the glass walkway in Relapse.
• Shipment District — An industrial district that, as its name suggests, is centered around the shipping and import/export industry and consists primarily of warehouses and port facilities.
  • Port Hokan — The port of Los Sueños. It has at least ten terminals named using letters. It is the setting of Hide and Seek.

• Housedale - Mentioned by civilian in Neon Tomb. Presumably suburban area.
• Segundo - Mentioned in officer bio.

Trivia

• Los Sueños is strongly based on the real-life city of Los Angeles, California.
  • "Los Sueños" and "Los Angeles" both start with "Los" and originate from Spanish phrases.
  • Los Sueños's city seal closely resembles the seal of Los Angeles.
  • Los Sueños's emergency services are strongly based on their Los Angeles equivalents.
  • Aerial shots of Los Sueños show the city's layout resembles that of Los Angeles.
  • Los Sueños and Los Angeles both benefit heavily from trade, particularly through major ports located within their city limits; however, Los Angeles also benefits in numerous other economic fields and industries, particularly entertainment and tourism, that Los Sueños is not suggested to share.
  • Los Sueños and Los Angeles both experience problems with crime and homelessness, especially into the 2020s, but Los Angeles experiences far less economic struggles and its problems are not as severe and exaggerated as Los Sueños's.
  • Both Los Sueños and Los Angeles are large metropolitan cities on the West Coast of the United States, located in semi-arid coastal environments within a relatively close distance to the U.S.–Mexico border, though Los Sueños is suggested to be far closer, akin to San Diego or Chula Vista.
    • This is backed up by the city's distance to Tijuana: it is explained that one can reach Tijuana, Mexico, by simply crossing the border. Tijuana is a Mexican city located just south of San Diego County, separated only by the border.
      • Muerto Mesa might be based on Otay Mesa; a southern exclave of San Diego that borders Mexico.
• It is unclear whether Los Sueños's issues are commonplace elsewhere in Ready or Not's depiction of the United States, or if Los Sueños's decline is simply a major departure from the norm.
• Early alpha renditions of Port Hokan (Alpha Patch 16161) suggested it was located in Los Angeles. As Ready or Not's setting was not established to be Los Sueños at the time, many players assumed this meant the game was set in Los Angeles.