Gameplay Journal Entry 8

Detroit Become Human is a third person narrative game that brings to the forefront questions about what it means to be free and what constitutes the definition of being alive. The main gameplay flow in the game has the player making decisions through dialogue and quick time events. In Detroit Become Human you find yourself in control of three different characters who are all androids. The only discerning characteristic that sets them apart from actual humans is a small circular mark by their frontal lobe. In this world technology has advanced to the point where androids have been mass produced to solely serve and work for humans, often being treated horribly. Throughout the game you are forced to make tough and complex decisions that will have you affecting the characters and the world around them.

I whole heartedly agree with the idea presented in the article that “There is a will, not only among concerned observers but also those who play and create games, that existing games should be enhanced and diversified, or rather, that games should at least be developed in a way that they could include ethical ideals — or human values.” (pg. 182). In Detroit Become Human I was put in the spotlight as the player and given this very idea. In that moment there was a recognition of ethics and humanity that became prevalent in my playthrough of the game. I had to decide whether the notion of being sentient and living was preserved solely for humans. As a cycle of human history there was once more this topic of ‘them versus us of a community of marginalized beings who’s only desire was to be given freedom and respect. In this I found that Detroit Become Human stands as a testament that videogames can push to include more narratives that focus on social issues, particularly those that hold a heavy hand in technology.

Flanagan, Mary. Nissenbaum, Helen. “A Game Design Methodology to Incorporate Social Activist Themes”. CHI 2007 Proceedings Politics & Activism, 2007. Web.

DETROIT BECOME HUMAN Walkthrough Gameplay Part 1 — INTRO (PS4 Pro) — YouTube