Detroit Become Human Raises The Stakes
Coming out of EGX, I was hyped about David Cage’s new game ‘Detroit Become Human’. After seeing the new trailer, I am very conflicted. David Cage has always been a divisive developer, some people love his work and other simply don’t. Heavy rain was the first time interactive story based games really came into the limelight. It was a huge hit but still had some questionable scenes that raised some moral questions.
Becoming Human
The new trailer for Detroit shows android (Kara) carrying out household duties, and protecting a little girl from her abusive father. This is extremely heavy stuff. Due to the nature of these games, you shape the outcome the story. In this instance you have to stop the little girl from being killed by her father. This is top shelf, very hard hitting and I don’t know how to feel about it. If this was a movie, then people would just say it was gritty and shrug it off. Games are a totally different beast, you interact with them (obviously) and as such have control over the outcome. Some would argue this raises the stakes and makes the player really connect with the outcome. This is very true, but where is the line?
How would this effect someone in reality? someone who is going through abuse in real life? would this help them? would it hurt them? All I know is that this trailer opens up some pretty deep conversations, some which have never been addressed before.
Using these kind of stories in games is pretty bold and also quite groundbreaking. Games have come so far and this is proof that they can really challenge morals and give people widely different experiences. This is a textbook example of game vs movie as a medium. This is the line in the sand, this is passive vs interactive media. Part of me really likes this and respects the hell out of it. I just can’t shake the feeling in my stomach when I saw the trailer. Art needs to challenge, I am pleased we live in world where risks are taken. Implemented correctly this could be outstanding, but done poorly this could be very distasteful. I will pick up Detroit Become Human, but my feelings towards this game have now been altered.