It’s not just The Last of Us: Part II that ruffled feathers during Sony’s Paris Games Week 2017 press conference this week: Quantic Dream’s latest game, Detroit: Become Human, has also come in for criticism for depicting domestic violence. The latest trailer for the Parisian developer’s android affair reveals a fraught family environment whereby a father shows abusive tendencies towards his child. Your decisions will ultimately shape the way the scenes play out – either leading to the little girl being attacked or the Dad meeting his demise.
It’s very harrowing subject matter, and for many a step too far. But speaking with Eurogamer.net as part of a prickly interview, David Cage has defended his decision to depict this kind of violence. “Would you ask this question to a film director – or to a writer?” he retorted upon the insinuation that the game may have gone too far. “This medium shouldn't condemn people trying to explore these aspects, as long as they're honest and sincere and have an honest attitude towards it.”
He continued: “I don't think we should point our fingers and say you shouldn't do this because you're a game maker. This is who you are. So stay at your place. You're not a filmmaker, you're not a book writer, you're just a game maker so shut up. No, I don't think that'd be fair. Games are a medium like anything – it's more than a medium for me, I've been saying the same thing for 20 years, it's an art form, and an art form should be free to express different things.”
It’s hard to argue with Cage’s point, but the concern is that Detroit may fail to tackle such subject matter with the delicacy that it deserves. In fact, Eurogamer.net notes that the scene requires you to “shake” the DualShock 4 in order to prevent the abuse from occurring. “For 20 years we play with control in a quite different way to people in the industry because we work on what we call the sense of mimicry – it's about making you feel with your computer what your character feels onscreen,” he explained.
Ultimately, Cage believes that the scene is an important part of the overall plot – it doesn’t simply exist to be controversial. “There's a context in the story, there's a reason for that – where [Kara] comes from and where she's going to go,” he concluded. “What's important to me, and what's important in Detroit, is to say that a game is as legitimate as a film or a book or a play to explore any topic such as domestic abuse.”
[source eurogamer.net]
Comments 34
"In fact, Eurogamer.net notes that the scene requires you to “shake” the DualShock 4 in order to prevent the abuse from occurring." - I don't understand why this has even been highlighted?
@B-I-G-DEVIL Because the interview asks him whether he thinks that's appropriate. I get the impression that the reporter felt the mechanic didn't fit the subject matter — although I'm not necessarily sure tapping X would be much different.
After the trailer to cleanse myself I sat through an episode of mr tumble and read the hungry caterpillar.
Then listened to castles on the hill by Ed Sheeran on repeat for an hour.
Then ate flumps and coco pops.
I really loved the e3 trailer that was awesome! The Paris one though, I just dont like the harsh reality of violent dads beating on their kids. Maybe DC is right.
@get2sammyb Yes that's exactly how I feel, it makes no difference what you press.
With no spoilers there's a certain scene at the start of Wolfenstein 2 which I found distressing/upsetting. Even when I tried to prevent it, it still happened.
So the fact I have a choice to prevent this and do what I believe is the right choice, personally improves the experience for me. Each to their own I guess though.
Typical EG trying to push an agenda as usual.
@themcnoisy I love flumps.
My god are people sensitive.
Are we really going to start censoring video game trailers?
Not every game has to appeal to every person.
Not every game has to cater to every type of person.
Who is anyone to say that certain topics are off-limits? Especially if they are a very real part of everyday life.
If you were offended by Detroit or TLOU2 then those games may not be for you. Nobody is forcing you to play these.
@B-I-G-DEVIL I played the hostage scene from Detroit at EGX and I thought it was superbly handled, so I hope they can maintain that level of quality for scenes like this.
The hostage scene is so unbelievably tense, and it really does feel like every action you take has consequences. It sounds like this scene is designed to show Kara's transition — expose her to the horrors of humanity.
I imagine everyone who plays the game will be protecting the child.
Don't be a snowflake, it's realistic. Violence is real.
Wow that interviewer's tone was, not great...
It's the hypocrisy I can't stand, people are ok with killing thousands of goons in game x but one child dies and so called journalists think they have a moral obligation to question it.
Dear god what is happening to this world what went horribly wrong with generation y and generation Z what went horribly wrong with you people.
@get2sammyb That's good to know, Like you said I hope it holds up the standard throughout.
And yes you'd hope that's what everyone picks...
So sick of the hypersensitive crybabies. Don't like the material, don't play the game. I can't believe this, but for once I'm actually in agreement with David Cage on something. Limiting games' subject matter is nonsense. Sure some games could tackle themes better but the crying needs to stop. At the end of the day, if you don't like something, such as a video game, that is easily avoidable... Avoid it Not that f'ing hard.
As long as it's handled in a mature and respectful way, I don't think there's anything wrong with having that material in the game. If anything it just helps people sympathize more with victims of abuse in real life.
@QwertyQwerty Why?
I completely am for the progression of games as a storytelling medium, so i think many things that are in-bounds for movies should also be fair-game for interactive storytelling
We live in a world where 663 people wrote in and complained about Amanda Holdens dress. Nothing surprises me anymore
Defending it doesnt make it anyless unsettling.
Rated M for immature ppl?
if people are criticizing the game.don't play it simple as that.go play Minecraft.cuphead.Mario.and Zelda.every game is not for everyone.get out of here with that nonsense.I love it.we live in a mess up world.that's life.David cage is a genius.and don't change nothing.I remember dragon crown was criticized for the ladies booty.and oversized breast.I'm a black man and I love cleavage and big butt.I love Dragon crown.this game will be legendary.I love it.word up son
I have my problems with David Cage but he does have a point. Games should be able to explore themes like this. However, these themes also need to be handled with care, like chemicals. I've yet to be convinced Cage can handle subject matter like this properly, but we'll see.
After watching the trailer, I would totally play a game about saving a child from her father. Not my usual game but interesting.
@playstation1995
I’m a white Australian male and I like big butts. I also think Cage is pushing us in the right direction highlighting real issues. It’s about time people get out of their bubbles and start noticing what’s actually going on around them.
Hmm, domestic violence didn't seem to be an issue in The Witcher 3 or Life Is Strange. Why kick up a fuss now?
@OneArmedGiant well said .people this day are too sensitive.if they show cleavage on video games they get mad.violence they get mad.and what's horrible you can make other choice to save the little girl.you got options.in this game.they make a big deal out of nothing it's ridiculous.do your thing David cave I support you.wordddddd upppp sonnn
Baffled by the over-sensitivity to anything and everything nowadays.
@playstation1995 Well said, dude.
Detroit is easily my most anticipated game, perhaps ever. It seems absolutely superb. Tackling such topics makes it all the more interesting and worth one's time. But with such attitude in the gaming community, I can easily see it not scoring very well. Mom's spaghetti.
Domestic violence is real. Just today I heard of story that made me furious. It took so long for anyone to do anything about it that I was left absolutely dumbstruck. This is the reality that some children have to endure, and some adults have had to endure. I think this scene in Detroit was very well done; it was unsettling, frightening, and tense.
From my perspective, it's only one amongst countless, the worst feeling for me as a kid was that no one felt the same way I did. That I was alone and helpless. That maybe because I didn't see anyone else going through this from my own lense that maybe I had done something wrong, and that I somehow deserved it.
I felt completely alienated and alone.
Things like this, in real everyday life, are far far too common. Video Games are a huge medium, so why shouldn't they be allowed to explore complex, dark, and mature themes? So what if you have to shake your controller? Have you never sipped on a soda or munched on popcorn while similar scenes play out in a movie theatre or wherever?
It's not real! It's a work of fiction; it's purpose is to ultimately entertain you. One of the ways to do that is to write a story that is sincere and important to the writer. If you don't like it don't buy it. Simple as that.
Guys, given my part in the Sony fandom is limited to replaying the Crash and Spyro games on my PSP by now, does anyone know if there are notable (e.g. non-indie, non-multiplatform, non-tie-in) all-ages IPs left in Sony's library? Even a LittleBigPlanet game could suffice.
If it wasn't for the N. Sane Trilogy this year...
The eurogamer interview is useless, it doesn't give me new info about the game, judge the game story after the game's released, if the interviewer doesn't want to play mature story he should play crash or ratchet & clank instead.
@adf86 yeah I was a member of Eurogamer for over 8 years I had to leave got sick of the place! it bugs me even when they quote them here I don't want anything to do with EG cannot stand that site anymore.
@AlexSora89 First party?
LocoRoco Remastered (1 & 2)
PaRappa The Rapper Remastered (1 & 2)
Gravity Rush Remastered (12)
Gravity Rush 2 (12)
Knack (1 & 2)
Rachet & Clank
Little Big Planet 3
Tearaway Unfolded
I'm sure I've missed some out, but those are what come to mind, when thinking 'all-ages'.
@KingdomHeartsFan it's an old school rap music slang from Eminem's "Lose yourself". It means "choke under pressure". I'm from 9gag. On 9gag I say mom's spaghetti to my friends all the time.
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