Deus Ex games have always tackled social issues in subtle ways. The previous game, Human Revolution, examined a world where humanity was pushing the boundaries of what it actually meant to be human in a world that was on the bleeding edge of body augmentations.
Just how human are you, when most of your body is essentially a Robocop sequel? The upcoming successor to that game, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, takes the concept a step further by creating a new Apartheid based on the world around protagonist Adam Jensen.
It’s a world divided between the classes of augmented and regular humans, a boiling pot ready to explode. But the one that Deus Ex: Mankind Divided won’t touch? Religion.
Game director Jean-François Dugas explained to Games Master via GR how an agnostic approach to the game helped keep the trans-humanism message on track. “One thing that we never touch on from the front is religion,” Dugas said.
The subject we’re tackling, it goes into religion from the aspect of do we choose to play God or not? But we try to keep it as agnostic as we can because the field is too sensitive. We also don’t want to be offensive in any way, or tackle something we don’t really understand ourselves.
Instead we distill transhumanism, and what it does for human beings regardless of your beliefs.
Good call. You can’t make anyone happy when you discuss religion in a game, a simple truth, because somebody is bound to get upset and take things entirely out of context. And when it comes to outfitting your body with cutting-edge cybernetics, that’s a technological barrier that truly is separate from religion. Unless you’re Amish, I think.
That, and I’m kinda sad that the church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster is woefully underrepresented in video games today. Pastafaraniasm gets no love, y’know?
Last Updated: June 29, 2015
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 29, 2015 at 08:53
I understand, and the same time I’m a bit disappointed because I’d rather have a story that says something, even if I don’t agree, instead of a bland inoffensive one.
kuuu(UMAR)rrrr
June 29, 2015 at 08:57
It’s not just about not being offensive, they said they don’t really understand it either. Imo it’s fine this way. Rather this than something tacked on.
Captain JJ Browmehn
June 29, 2015 at 09:26
One part of the Metro book that was seriously disappointing is how obvious the author’s opinion on religion was pushed through. It had zero to do with the story, it was literally just in there, because the author wanted to rant about it. So, going on that, I agree with you to an extent. Write the story with the intent of writing a good story, not about tackling “issues” or “controversies”.
That said. I also agree with Trevor on that they shouldn’t avoid something for the sake of the audience, they should tell the story they want to tell. But I get that they say it’s just because they don’t actually know it well enough to include it.
kuuu(UMAR)rrrr
June 29, 2015 at 09:33
Completely. I’m really religious myself and have played many games where they touch on and explore religion. I’ve never found them to offensive, it’s part of storytelling and they should tell the story the want to. They shouldn’t have to cater or pander to anyone really. That said, the games I played were thought provoking and well thought out, if they don’t know or understand religion, I would rather not have it in the story. I don’t like rants about religion.
That said, it would’ve been interesting to have in this game, it very much sways in that direction.
Captain JJ Browmehn
June 29, 2015 at 09:34
Yes. I agree 100%.
Skyblue
June 29, 2015 at 09:00
Having something to say and religion are not compatible in my personal experience.
oVg "I hate Portals" - Geralt
June 29, 2015 at 09:03
Unless you are an Assassin with a hidden blade 😛
Skyblue
June 29, 2015 at 09:04
I should have clarified, unless violence is involved. Religion has always been good for violence.
PrinceAshitaka
June 29, 2015 at 09:04
Where would Halo be without it’s religious component? What would the DC wastelands be without the children of Atom? What would God of War be without, you know, Gods and stuff? Are you really that hung up on religion you can’t have them in your videogames?
Skyblue
June 29, 2015 at 09:06
Not hung up at all and I’ve played and enjoyed every one of those games. Just don’t think it’s really necessary in every game I play. You left out Dead Space btw, loved that game as well.
PrinceAshitaka
June 29, 2015 at 09:16
damn how could i forget dead space lol
Hammersteyn
June 29, 2015 at 09:35
I love controversial subjects in games. Makes you think instead of just sniping noobs
Captain JJ Browmehn
June 29, 2015 at 09:39
Hehe. That whole sentence.
“sniping noobs”
Don’t judge me! Let me judge you! 😉
Skyblue
June 29, 2015 at 08:58
A decision that will probably prevent the game getting banned in every fanatical religious state, except Australia. This game is getting banned in Australia for promoting nanotechnology. Can’t wait.
Admiral Chief's Adventure
June 29, 2015 at 09:14
LOL dat header and alt-text!
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
June 29, 2015 at 09:16
Question is though… What is Adam banging his head to? Or is he rocking the triangle?
Admiral Chief's Adventure
June 29, 2015 at 09:18
He is showing his disapproval
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
June 29, 2015 at 09:23
Hahaha! Either that or adding more cowbell!
Hammersteyn
June 29, 2015 at 09:34
cowbell
Hammersteyn
June 29, 2015 at 09:34
XD
Captain JJ Browmehn
June 29, 2015 at 09:23
You can still play around with the whole – do you have a soul if you’re mostly robot – idea, without getting into religion. But that’s also a very close shave then.
PrinceAshitaka
June 29, 2015 at 09:24
The last thing I want is for games to get even more dumbed-down than
they already are. If I wanted a game with no socially relevant content,
I’d be playing Candy Crush and Clash of Clans all day. Videogames are stories,
and storytellers have to take thematic risks otherwise what’s the point
of telling it? what’s the point of picking up a controller and
accepting the quest? fake Gold? EXP? hardly. Console Gamers WANT to be challenged, intellectually as well as through game play. If the makers of the game have something to say about religion, let us walk that world. When the final boss is dead and the credits roll, we can decide for ourselves if we agree with the game or not.
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
June 29, 2015 at 10:01
Religion is 9/10 times of any conversation a taboo subject, why? Because people differ in opinion rather than listen to each other, simply put (I’m trying to say this without sounding like a bloody hippie) the fundamentals of any form of religion is to listen and lend a helping hand where needed…
Now adding religion into a storyline could work brilliantly, or simply blow up in your face, more so if you force it onto your audience, but even so, there should always be room for thought provocative storytelling, and that is what Deus Ex has always done right… So with or without religion, they’ll still make a bloody good point!
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 29, 2015 at 10:03
🙁 I’m disappointed.
Captain JJ Browmehn
June 29, 2015 at 10:12
I can’t be disappointed in something that they feel isn’t integral to a story that they’re telling and I don’t even know.
The religious say that it’s unnecessary to include religion and the non-religious say that the religious are being too sensitive.
I don’t care. It just needs a good story and good gameplay. If they want to include Odin, do it. As long as it fits in with the story they’re telling.
kuuu(UMAR)rrrr
June 29, 2015 at 10:16
Odin sitting on a mighty mechanical throne. I NEEDS IT!
Captain JJ Browmehn
June 29, 2015 at 10:18
😀
Odin frowns on your augments but secretly wants to get one for his right eye.
Brady miaau
June 29, 2015 at 10:47
Why? The amount of controversy it would cause would sully the game, imho
MichaelNLong
June 29, 2015 at 10:55
Your first choice thegatewaypundit Find Here
…………
Lothy
June 29, 2015 at 12:45
They wont touch on religion, but if my rough Latin is correct, the game name means God in the machine. They should change it to Gabe Ex. Dues Ex is shorten from Dues Ex Machina.