Quantic Dream Tech Demo: A Robot Begs For Her "Life"
See Full ImageGreat developers can manage to invoke great emotion...even with a mere tech demo.
Although Quantic Dream hasn't said much about their current project, they have finally unveiled a hint; it comes in the form of a tech demo entitled "Kara," and it was just recently revealed at Eurogamer. Remember, this is apparently running in real-time on the PlayStation 3.
You will see a robot being "born." Her name is Kara. She is fluent in 300 languages, can take care of your house, the kids, the pets, has an amazing singing voice, and is even at your ready disposal "as a sexual partner." But when she expresses disdain at being nothing more than a product, the operator begins to disassemble her...after all, she is obviously defective. Robots don't have such thoughts.
But at the last second, Kara exclaims that she's afraid and sheds a tear. That saves her "life," as it were. Just watch.
Whatever this project is, color us intrigued. We're convinced that David Cage and Co. will deliver yet another intriguing, potentially groundbreaking title. We can't wait to learn more.
Tags: quantic dream, heavy rain, quantic dream ps3 tech demo, kara
3/7/2012 8:35:46 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (108 posts)
Beamboom
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 1:00:59 AM
Last edited by Beamboom on 3/8/2012 1:01:40 AM
6 up, 0 down
Ninja_WafflesXD
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 3:32:40 PM
But back on topic: This makes me wonder if we really do NEED a PS4 now, if a PS3 can still churn out quality like this.
0 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 9:18:08 PM
Reply
1 up, 1 down
dbyzforce
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 10:33:41 PM
1 up, 1 down
Temjin001
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 10:16:18 AM
1 up, 0 down
PC_Max
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 9:21:58 PM
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1 up, 0 down
Oyashiro
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 9:24:14 PM
Reply
8 up, 0 down
Oyashiro
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 10:23:45 PM
Last edited by Oyashiro on 3/7/2012 10:23:55 PM
7 up, 0 down
SoulController
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 9:25:20 PM
Reply
3 up, 0 down
Karosso
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 10:51:55 PM
6 up, 0 down
ZettaiSeigi
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 9:32:03 PM
Reply
23 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 1:30:24 AM
Hopefully the game Quantic Dream are making is something similar or along the lines of this tech demo. I would absolutely love to see multiple endings to a story like this!!!
4 up, 1 down
Beamboom
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 2:05:09 AM
What movies do you refer to, that has made you come to this conclusion?
These kind of opinions are so often found around here, "all movies are trash" kind of claims. Either you guys really need a course in how to pick the right movies, or - as I suspect - you have very little idea what you talk about and are just talking trash. And if it is the latter then that's really SAD.
Cause what you do here is exactly the same as non-gamers do when they say "games are just trash".
Think about that. In the light of the recent articles around here you really should know better by now.
Last edited by Beamboom on 3/8/2012 2:09:24 AM
7 up, 3 down
ZettaiSeigi
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 3:45:08 AM
That's also the reason why I made it a point to exclude Pixar because those guys are brilliant. Wall-E didn't have any dialogue but robot is a lot more relatable than other characters I've seen from Hollywood.
And no, I do not talk trash. I don't waste other people's time with that. Particularly mine.
6 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 3:52:35 AM
It just, as a movie fan I get similarly provoked by these kind of statements as gamers get provoked by the blanket description of all games being "just for kids" and whatnot. It's just *so* wrong, something anyone who actually goes to the movies and see a handful of films a year should be able to confirm.
And especially annoying it gets when it seem everyone agrees with such statements with no objections. It's just so... Ignorant. Sorry peeps.
Last edited by Beamboom on 3/8/2012 3:54:17 AM
3 up, 3 down
ZettaiSeigi
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 3:55:38 AM
4 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 4:17:45 AM
Last edited by Beamboom on 3/8/2012 5:04:34 AM
1 up, 1 down
Dancemachine55
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 5:58:41 AM
What I meant is that big budget Hollywood films tend to have more spectacle and less substance, with many great films with a great story and brilliant acting being produced elsewhere.
For example, 2 of my favourite films in the last few months have been The Artist (which won best film Oscar) and The King's Speech, both of which had superb acting and storytelling.
I'm not saying films are terrible, I love films and will continue to frequently visit the cinemas. What I'm saying is that Hollywood is terrible in it's story-telling and ability to stir many emotions within the audience and allow that audience to connect on an almost personal level with the character(s).
With films like The King's Speech, I really got sucked into the character's world and problems. With Hollywood films, I'm aware I'm watching a film. Even with The Artist, despite being black and white and a silent film, I could really feel the pain and emotions of the character because the acting and directing was THAT good!!
Similar with this Kara tech demo, I was drawn to the character, could feel the pain and fear in her voice, I wanted to see what would happen next!!!
Just like with A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Hayley Joel Osment was a brilliant young actor, and I could feel his fear, was curious to see the things he was curious about. Spielberg was brillant with that film, just like David Cage being brilliant with video games!
4 up, 0 down
ZettaiSeigi
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 8:17:57 AM
Last edited by ZettaiSeigi on 3/8/2012 8:19:55 AM
1 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 10:10:17 AM
There are great movies out there but unsurprisingly, almost none of them are big box office draws. That's a combination of the masses always wanting schlock and Hollywood not coming up with any original ideas.
That's the biggest difference between movies and games- the best-selling games are very often the very best titles available.
5 up, 2 down
Beamboom
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 10:27:38 AM
Or are you just now limiting your scope to the Hollywood action directors, those CGI-heavy teen movies ala Transformers and that stuff?
That's like judging the ENTIRE stack of top selling games based on a couple of Lollipop Chainsaw trailers!
The movies Dancemachine mention here are two of the biggest box office successes in recent times, collecting both Oscars aplenty and rave reviews. Did they suck balls? Did you leave the theatre thinking, "what a pile of trash"? Seriously?
Last edited by Beamboom on 3/8/2012 10:37:25 AM
2 up, 2 down
Temjin001
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 11:09:38 AM
=p
4 up, 1 down
Ludicrous_Liam
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 11:58:36 AM
Honestly, The King's Speech was just a brilliant film, maybe because I can relate to the 'public-speaking' phobia, as I'm sure most people can. Very touching story - and a true one at that.
3 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 2:11:16 PM
@Ludicrous: I *love* british films! The british humour is just the best there is, and you also got some of the very finest actors too. In particular the british drama/comedies, the low key, everyday stories about working class, regular british people are just wonderful. Calm, quiet humour, very human, very... British. :)
Last edited by Beamboom on 3/8/2012 2:18:43 PM
0 up, 0 down
Fane1024
Saturday, March 10, 2012 @ 8:54:32 PM
I think the highest praise I can give to "Kara" is that I really want to know what will become of the robot. Plus, I actually got misty-eyed when Kara cried.
Phenomenally effective and affective. Writing, acting, direction, music, the whole shebang.
Last edited by Fane1024 on 3/10/2012 9:00:14 PM
1 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 9:45:51 PM
Reply
As Oyashiro said above, I hope it's not just a tech demo as well, & that it really is part of his new game even though the text in the video says it's not.
3 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 10:15:55 PM
1 up, 0 down
Oyashiro
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 10:27:15 PM
I think therefor I am. What is life, and what it truly means to be alive.
1 up, 0 down
newchef
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 10:56:10 PM
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shadowscorpio
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 11:37:56 PM
Indeed. Ifv we really stop to think about it. Humans are biological machines created by nature. Robots are mechanical machines created by humans whom were created by nature.
What does it meean to be alive?
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Karosso
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 9:50:37 PM
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goldentinny
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 9:51:58 PM
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1 up, 1 down
Highlander
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 10:07:46 PM
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Say that again, running in real time on a PS3...not PS4.
That does rather beg the question, do we yet need a PS4? Has the PS3 really been maxed out? That demo looked pretty impressive by any standard, including the current state of the art.
Pity she didn't have long flowing blue hair and red eyes though...
9 up, 1 down
BikerSaint
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 10:16:44 PM
First thing I though was that she should have long jet black hair, but with sky-blue doll eyes.
And I'm not positive, but her voice sounds like the hooker in Heavy Rain that the PI went up to question, but wound up fighting one of her john's first.
3 up, 0 down
Karosso
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 10:29:47 PM
Please hold on to the PS4 for another 4 years :)
3 up, 0 down
ZenChichiri
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 1:18:12 AM
1 up, 0 down
Killa Tequilla
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 1:25:22 AM
5 up, 2 down
Dancemachine55
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 1:39:25 AM
I just hope the rumours aren't true that Sony might be scrapping Cell technology that they PS3 uses. Could mean no backwards compatability with PS3 games in the PS4!!!
Honestly, I've heard from many 1st party resources on several gaming web sites that Sony is sticking with Cell, and that them abandoning it is just speculation and rumour. 16 SPU's and super beefed up RAM could really make next gen shine!!!
I'm excited for next gen, but still feel the PS3 has a little more to offer. But with many multiplat games running better on 360 (and vice versa), I just hope Sony make the better machine with the PS4 amongst all areas of capability, RAM, graphics, CPU and GPU, processor, HDD, EVEYRTHING!!!
PS3 had everything but a fast disc drive (for blu-ray) and better RAM. No doubt Sony will rectify this problem with the PS4, then we will see some serious magic!!
7 up, 2 down
Highlander
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 3:44:00 AM
CEll and RSX can talk to each other faster than the 360's CPU can address it's memory, and RSX can address both memory pools in the SP3 at full speed. It also serves as memory controller for the cell, so there's kind of a good reason for that. In other words, Cell and RSX talk to each other just fine. Yet more pre-conceptions based on the supposed (and faux) superiority of the unified memory architecture of the 360. The unified memory architecture is certainly not more advanced or modern, I have an 8-bit micro-computer running a 6502 (circa 1982) that uses a shared memory architecture that shifts the high watermark depending on the screen mode in use - just like 360.
2 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 6:06:08 AM
Do you think Sony switching from NVidia to ATI will affect PS3 backwards compatibility? (If true of course)
And what do you think Sony should do to prevent the multiplat problems the PS3 suffered for so long? I honestly thought it was limited RAM causing the PS3's multiplat lag issues, and maybe the blu-ray speed as well. As you can see, I'm clearly no expert in this field. :)
0 up, 0 down
daus26
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 8:55:58 AM
2 up, 1 down
Temjin001
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 10:15:27 AM
It's only been what I've been conditioned to since as far back I can remember. Drawing on 6 years of the same tech has me longing for more.
Bring it.
And this Cage demo looks nice, but I would like to see some flowing hair and clothing that actually convinces me it's real.
1 up, 0 down
Highlander
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 12:52:20 PM
I am concerned that we are all expecting way too much from the next generational leap.
When PS3 launched we entered the age of microprocessors that got faster by adding cores. The designs themselves were already good enough that the clock speeds could peak past 3GHz, and operations were taking very few cycles so the only way to get faster was to add cores.
Going forward, ther are things that designers can do to increase efficiency of Floating point operations which is why the PowerXcell8i processor is something like twice as fast for double precision FP and perhaps 50% faster in single precision than the Cell that went before it. Even so, there are limits to how much progress can be made there too. So we are at the point where the majority of the performance gain happens because of many more cores.
The trouble here is that game designers had a hard time changing their mind set to make use of many more cores, look at the trouble that the PS3 development community had learning that. As we go forward, everyone has to learn it. In the PC world more and more the heavy math work is shifting to the GPU, but the GPU is becoming more and more like a Cell CPU with many smaller SPU like cores.
With PS4, the raw speed of the system might be 4 times that of the PS3, but with many more cores in the GPU and more cores in the CPU - perhaps more SPUs, the raw performance increase will be amplified by the greater ability to parallelize tasks within a game, and to handle more than one task at a time on multiple cores.
So, the raw performance might be 4-ish times faster, but actual performance might be 8-16 times for certain kinds of work. Certainly the more modern GPUs offer several times the raw performance of the RSX.
But unlike previous generations where we saw a 10-fold increase in clock speed from PS2 to PS3, along with 4 times as many cores running more efficiently and producing 40-60 times the effective computational power. With PS4 we will likely see similar clock speeds, but many more cores that are more efficient. So perhaps twice the number of CPU cores and 4 times the number of GPU elements with 50-100% improvements in performance due to design optimization. So you're really only looking at systems that will be in the order of 4-16 times as 'powerful' relative to the previous generation.
That doesn't sound like a lot, but when you consider the raw performance of the PS3 hardware, it adds up to a hell of a lot of computing power for a game console.
Last edited by Highlander on 3/8/2012 12:53:13 PM
3 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 4:34:38 PM
0 up, 0 down
Teddie9
Friday, March 09, 2012 @ 3:12:28 PM
Last edited by Teddie9 on 3/9/2012 3:14:01 PM
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coverton341
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 10:08:19 PM
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5 up, 0 down
Karosso
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 10:26:24 PM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 10:20:03 PM
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3 up, 1 down
Oyashiro
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 10:28:43 PM
0 up, 5 down
daus26
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 8:58:35 AM
1 up, 1 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 12:39:00 PM
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Fane1024
Saturday, March 10, 2012 @ 9:07:49 PM
There's a reason why all of Hitchcock's female leads were blondes.
Last edited by Fane1024 on 3/10/2012 9:10:04 PM
1 up, 0 down
La_Bete12
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 10:34:42 PM
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Amazing, absolutely amazing..
4 up, 1 down
Dancemachine55
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 1:44:17 AM
I know I'd prefer doing business with Sony than Microsoft. Sony seems to understand us adult gamers. :)
3 up, 0 down
ZettaiSeigi
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 6:29:42 PM
"We are exclusive to Sony right now," Cage said. "We're open to all options [such as becoming a first-party studio], but again, we're not a studio driven by money. It's an important element, of course, but it's not like 'Tell me how much money you give me and I'm going to do whatever you want.' "
Sony really ought to purchase Quantic Dream -- particularly because they're open to that idea too. They'll be a stellar addition to their already-impressive stable of development studios.
1 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 10:40:11 PM
Reply
I think it gives her too much of a tomboy look.
1 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 10:50:15 PM
7 up, 0 down
FreQaZoiD
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 10:49:27 PM
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0 up, 0 down
Lord carlos
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 10:50:24 PM
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just need a big reveal @ E3 for the last guardian & then all will be well.
1 up, 0 down
I007spectre
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 10:58:44 PM
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1 up, 0 down
Jed
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 11:42:07 PM
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Whatever they come up with next, I sooooo totally want it.
0 up, 1 down
shadowscorpio
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 11:42:15 PM
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0 up, 0 down
bigrailer19
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 12:01:41 AM
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1 up, 0 down
Russell Burrows
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 12:20:31 AM
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Look it up.
A larger question than life is what represents a God??
1 up, 0 down
bentl78
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 1:11:51 AM
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ZenChichiri
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 1:21:34 AM
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"Sorry sir, she's only 1 year old."
"But hey, that's 19 in android years!"
I do hope they make this game. So many possibilities to explore about human rights. If something is capable of making decisions, but it's not human, how do we treat that? Do we include or exclude? What are the repercussions? I do hope that this is their next project.
1 up, 1 down
SolidFantasy
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 1:26:40 AM
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It's the ghost in the machine theory from Peace Walker!
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keiichimorisato
Sunday, March 11, 2012 @ 1:36:33 PM
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Dancemachine55
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 1:46:18 AM
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:)
7 up, 0 down
YashaZz
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 6:15:01 AM
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Dancemachine55
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 1:56:20 AM
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I just hope they offer a male version of the story for our female gaming friends out there. A lot more work, but it would pay off with increased sales from girl gamers.
Imagine the multiple endings to this game!!!
1. She kills a human whilst scared and trying to defend herself. As the owner of her, would you shut her down yourself or help her escape?
2. You fall in love with her, causing your friends and family to abandon you. (Should've watched the documentary Robo-gonorrhea, the noisy killer)
3. She no longer obeys you and runs away to find a happier life. She is caught for disassembly, but you fight to save her because you've grown attached to her.
4. She obeys you to the point of killing others that caused you pain or suffering. You want her to be punished, but can't bare for her to be taken away.
2 up, 0 down
Rogueagent01
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 7:07:35 AM
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Beamboom
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 2:25:59 PM
Admittably what we talk about here is probably *the* cliches in sci-fi stories: The human robot, the question of where we draw the line, if a line *can* be drawn, what is life, existential stuff like that is essentially the foundation of what sci-fi is built on.
But it's new grounds in gaming! And *that's* what matters. I would so totally love a game with all the content you described there Dancemacine, all these classic sci-fi scenarios we've been reading for years, oh how wonderful it would be to get a chance to "live" those stories!
We Want More TRUE Sci-Fi in gaming! Sci-fi like we talk about here!
1 up, 0 down
Fane1024
Saturday, March 10, 2012 @ 9:14:05 PM
That (also) sounds a lot like Robert Heinlein's Friday (though it was from the perspective of the artificial woman).
Last edited by Fane1024 on 3/10/2012 9:19:04 PM
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___________
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 4:01:32 AM
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6 up, 1 down
Beamboom
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 4:16:15 AM
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Interested? *Of course*. I might even be able to handle a good dose of linearity with a setting like this. :D
Last edited by Beamboom on 3/8/2012 4:18:42 AM
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tridon
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 6:10:39 AM
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Clamedeus
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 6:56:57 AM
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Beamboom
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 10:21:31 AM
I think there is a screenshot of Liara from roughly that same angle, plus there's the fact that there's no hair... Yeah, maybe a little.
Liara is cuter though. :)
1 up, 0 down
Douchebaguette
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 7:58:27 AM
Reply
A robot that cries. But Arnie can't cry. He may know now.
Does this make me human?
*rips out internal organ*
Does this? *rips out another*
Or this? *dies*
A robot designed for sexual pleasure, eih? Quite David Cage, however it's probably bang on a correct prediction of the future.
Brilliant demonstration.
1 up, 0 down
gumbi
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 8:31:12 AM
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This is top notch story telling in only a few short minutes. I really hope this tech demo evolves into a full on production.
4 up, 1 down
jimmyhandsome
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 9:25:43 AM
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Looks awesome though. Hopefully it does become a game otherwise its just a huge d*ck tease.
5 up, 1 down
maxpontiac
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 9:51:24 AM
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6 up, 1 down
slugga_status
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 11:17:52 AM
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0 up, 0 down
Hoagie324
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 5:32:47 PM
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tes37
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 8:22:50 PM
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Crabba
Thursday, March 08, 2012 @ 8:29:22 PM
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1 up, 0 down
thedaini
Friday, March 09, 2012 @ 12:05:28 AM
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MyParentsRN00Bz
Saturday, March 10, 2012 @ 3:55:31 PM
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Robochic
Sunday, March 11, 2012 @ 9:26:36 AM
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keiichimorisato
Sunday, March 11, 2012 @ 1:15:14 PM
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i was so sad that was awesome i want to watch it or play it if it has that good of a story that i was actually crying, i wanna see how far it will go. and my first thought wasn't irobot or AI but Ghost in the Shell. though AI was awesome i hope it gets rereleased in blue ray 3D, that would be so awesome.
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DjStiv3
Sunday, March 11, 2012 @ 7:29:36 PM
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i never played much of heavy rain but it seems like it will have alot of the same emotional appeal like it..
this trailer tho reminded me of iRobot..just yet another more advanced form as in a Terminator.... ohh man i cant wait to see more
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DjStiv3
Sunday, March 11, 2012 @ 7:31:50 PM
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lostfanatic6
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 @ 2:07:49 PM
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This kind of sci-fi concept could be an amazing David Cage interactive experience. I am really hoping that this doesn't just stay a tech demo and we actually get to see a story develop out of this because this story could be AMAZING!
Think of all the types of sci-fi stories like this, then think about David Cage and his dark subject matter injected into those stories. Cage is real and raw and isn't afraid to put those things out there!
Think about how our dark society would actually handle something like AI. We would use and abuse it. Some would call it slavery because the robots are "living" and yet others would take advantage of them to be their personal servants. Since Kara said she is able to be a "sexual partner", what about rape? There will be some who think it is just like raping a human and still others who see them as nothing but tools to be used and disposed of.
I am telling you, this could be an absolute TREASURE of a game if they would run with this concept! Think about the story that could just FLOW from this idea in the hands of Cage and Quantic Dream!
David Cage...Quantic Dream...if you are reading this, PLEASE MAKE THIS CONCEPT A REALITY IN YOUR NEXT TITLE!!!!!
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berserk
Reply
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 @ 9:15:44 PM
Cant wait to see how it will end up .Hopefully the action will consist of a little more then just qte .