Which game provides a most accurate view of our future?
- Thread starter Snare
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MetalSoup
There's a GIF for that
None of them, in my opinion. Games, just like other form of media, always take a vision of the future that's some ridiculous extreme. Most likely the future will be the same shit we deal with today, but with cooler gadgets. If I had to choose something, I'd probably go with the Deus Ex series.
Lycanthrope
New member
Personally, I expect the most likely would be a kind of "Deus Ex" future. I think biomechanical augmentation is inevitable: amputated limbs, blind eyes, bad organs, etc.
I don't expect it would become as dystopian as the fiction makes it though, but it could be possible that we'd all have to fight it out to get drugs to prevent our bodies from rejecting the augmentation (just look at trying to get care and payments out of medical aid and other health-care issues before even considering drug company trademarks and drama), but I think it's also fairly likely that it would develop to a point that wouldn't require drugs and perhaps augmentation may well be more bio than mechanical.
I think we live in interesting times and I hope to live long enough to see that kind of technology become successful.
I don't expect it would become as dystopian as the fiction makes it though, but it could be possible that we'd all have to fight it out to get drugs to prevent our bodies from rejecting the augmentation (just look at trying to get care and payments out of medical aid and other health-care issues before even considering drug company trademarks and drama), but I think it's also fairly likely that it would develop to a point that wouldn't require drugs and perhaps augmentation may well be more bio than mechanical.
I think we live in interesting times and I hope to live long enough to see that kind of technology become successful.
Snare
New member
If life were to turn out like Deus Ex...would you get augments?
Ike_009
Assassin of Accountants
I like to imagine Remember me's future with digital augmentation to present an inlaid digital interface across your vision that adapts to your activities. I like the idea of walking to a window and having the menu displayed for me against the wall and then having visual data like the weather presented to you in the bathroom etc.
However I doubt any game has predicted the future since the future is built around the story rather than a story around the future. Therefore their renditions are all flawed in that they are there develop a dysfunctional utopia that requires a hero. Maybe Watch dogs would be the most accurate since it is based on an existing social problem in America and running with that vs creating a future problem.
However I doubt any game has predicted the future since the future is built around the story rather than a story around the future. Therefore their renditions are all flawed in that they are there develop a dysfunctional utopia that requires a hero. Maybe Watch dogs would be the most accurate since it is based on an existing social problem in America and running with that vs creating a future problem.
HavocXphere
New member
I'd be inclined to agree. Augmentation is definitely going to happen. Hell people are already running around with artificial knees, contact lenses and pace makers. More interesting augmentation isn't exactly a big jump from there.
I'd disagree on the dystopian part. I do think it will be dystopian & wildly so. Go to a LAN...check the guy with 30k hardware sitting next to the dude with 7k hardware. Do you think they'll have the same opportunities regarding augmentation? Yeah right...
Without highlighting specific games, I'd say the common theme of megacorps in games is also going to happen / has already started. The ones we've got are already arguably beyond the ability of nations to control them.
And I think overall the world will be a lot more hardcore. Not as in sabre toothed tiger chasing you, but survival none the less. Take the job market as a proxy. It used to be work 40 years for a company, get a gold watch & pension and go fishing and playing with grandkids. Today its every man for himself.
Also, inequality is going to shoot through the roof. So I'd expect a lot more of a dishonored vibe...in terms of rich vs poor. Remember the trailer where a guard shoots random pedestrians because their in the way of the hot shot's vehicle? Now think back to that blue light bridgade that shot at a guy for not moving out of the way fast enough. Bleak huh?
For the Haves its going to be great. For the Have-nots...not so much. Haves being wealth yes, but also raw ability.
On the plus side, I think we're going to see more of an eco movement ala anno green faction.
Snare
New member
This also likely means that Gaming will become a great disparity. Some bra with a super-arm will be able to micro like a real robot
DieGrootHammer
Daddy TK
All the love for the Deus Ex series warms the shadowy parts of my heart...
I too do think that games, like all science fiction, doesn't paint a picture perfect representation of the future. Many games will go from the one extreme to the other to pit their main protagonist against this world. But should you look deeper into some of the elements painted by these dystopias futures, you will find many facets that are just too close too comfort.
Take DX:HR as an example: The mission the Hong Kong takes you to a housing project known as the Hive; a location where the occupants have only a bed, cupboard and connectors in each "pod". These pods can close and be locked, and the housing project does have communal bathrooms, laundry and mess halls. There is no real focus being placed on this place, but the mere fact of it's presentation got me thinking as this may actually be a viable option for the future. As our world get more crowded and overpopulation becomes a bigger problem, these Hives may truly come to life. They surely do give quite a logic solution to the problem.
It is this type of elements of games that makes for the best picture of the future, and not enough games actually do make something as thought provoking as Deus Ex.
I too do think that games, like all science fiction, doesn't paint a picture perfect representation of the future. Many games will go from the one extreme to the other to pit their main protagonist against this world. But should you look deeper into some of the elements painted by these dystopias futures, you will find many facets that are just too close too comfort.
Take DX:HR as an example: The mission the Hong Kong takes you to a housing project known as the Hive; a location where the occupants have only a bed, cupboard and connectors in each "pod". These pods can close and be locked, and the housing project does have communal bathrooms, laundry and mess halls. There is no real focus being placed on this place, but the mere fact of it's presentation got me thinking as this may actually be a viable option for the future. As our world get more crowded and overpopulation becomes a bigger problem, these Hives may truly come to life. They surely do give quite a logic solution to the problem.
It is this type of elements of games that makes for the best picture of the future, and not enough games actually do make something as thought provoking as Deus Ex.
AlphaJohn
New member
Erm what future.... its already here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiTwuN2FO4I
And yes I spend a weekend in one in Japan, not so bad for 2 days but I can not see myself living in one.
DieGrootHammer
Daddy TK
OMG dude thanks for sharing. It's scary as I always thought it will probably feature in the future sometime, but never thought it would be a reality...so that's one part DX got right. Seems as if the dystopia is reality...
But just imagine opening up these types of accommodation for the poor or homeless of our society. It can work if properly managed.
Tydmors
New member
This is all good and a great idea but imo i think all those fancy TVs and stuff will be stolen within the 1st week.
- - - Updated - - -
you have it 100% there .... if properly managed.
Duke Dude
New member
I definitely see a Deus Ex: HR future.
Technologically we'll definitely reach that place and encounter all the moral and philosophical that will accompany it.
Society is already in a meltdown with blurred gender roles, decreased intelligence and no sense of community. So I definitely see a Dystopian Society forming.
Corporations and banking is becoming more and more powerful, we're living in a corporate run world, there's no allusion there. Governments are so focused on watching and enslaving their citizens, so freedom will definitely fall soon.
I see a very bleak future, one with radicals that both want to force change and deny it.
I wish we'd have a Mass Effect type future, but we won't get there. We're too busy trying to kill each other than research technology that can save Earth and then take us to the stars.
Technologically we'll definitely reach that place and encounter all the moral and philosophical that will accompany it.
Society is already in a meltdown with blurred gender roles, decreased intelligence and no sense of community. So I definitely see a Dystopian Society forming.
Corporations and banking is becoming more and more powerful, we're living in a corporate run world, there's no allusion there. Governments are so focused on watching and enslaving their citizens, so freedom will definitely fall soon.
I see a very bleak future, one with radicals that both want to force change and deny it.
I wish we'd have a Mass Effect type future, but we won't get there. We're too busy trying to kill each other than research technology that can save Earth and then take us to the stars.
AlphaJohn
New member
Not the whole world have African mentality, yeah I can see it being an issue here but not in Hong Kong. The one I stayed in, in Japan was very well looked after and been operating for a while over 5 years with all electronics in tact. The TV was a small CRT and the capsule a bit more spacious than the video but everything worked, well the ones I knew what it was for. Nothing was labeled in English
I had bigger issues with the communal toilets as you do not sit down, its kinda like a hole in the ground that you have to stand over and aim. Some people's aiming was kinda like crap
Tydmors
New member
Not the whole world have African mentality, yeah I can see it being an issue here but not in Hong Kong. The one I stayed in, in Japan was very well looked after and been operating for a while over 5 years with all electronics in tact. The TV was a small CRT and the capsule a bit more spacious than the video but everything worked, well the ones I knew what it was for. Nothing was labeled in English
I had bigger issues with the communal toilets as you do not sit down, its kinda like a hole in the ground that you have to stand over and aim. Some people's aiming was kinda like crap
Sounds like a great experience.
ha ha ha so it was like a long-drop without the 'seat'
AlphaJohn
New member
Was fun and I would take capsules over SA's backpacker set-ups any day. Stayed in one for a week in Rosebank and sharing a room with 6 people can become a bit noisy esp with the forests they cut down in their sleep.
ha ha ha so it was like a long-drop without the 'seat'
Like this:
Just imagine 6 of em next to each other with just a low wall between you and no door.
Back on topic:
I do think a lot of Dues Ex and Judge Dread is pointing on where we heading. Just add a dash of Robocop and I am sure you will not be far off.
Hagan
Check my new Avatar
That's a urinal? Clean up on isle 7 please. Looks like a recipe for extra toilet-cleaning activities.
Snare
New member
Well after starting the thread I deliberated with myself and I can't think of any other Game world that comes as close to Deus Ex in terms of the likelihood of it coming to pass. I actually can't think of any real reason why a Deus Ex world wouldn't come to pass; Most of the tech is already in development; as Duke Dude mentioned societal collapse and corporate rising in already in effect. Hopefully things don't degenerate to that extreme point; but just in case I'm going to go and hack some emails and steal some bullets...