David Cage, We Need Your Philosophy Now More Than Ever

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David Cage has been quoted in the past as saying that he "doesn't really care about new technology" and is far more concerned with bringing a more mature, artistic approach to the interactive entertainment table.

Say what you will about such statements but here's an incontrovertible fact: We require that mentality more than ever.

After playing Medal of Honor: Warfighter and looking around at what is hugely popular these days, I've started to realize that Cage and other visionaries like him absolutely need to start making more waves. Warfighter is the perfect example of a mainstream genre that has hit new levels of tedium and repetition. It also doesn't help that it's being called the "dumb" genre by those who tend to revel in more complex experiences.

I'm a fan of shooters and have been for as long as I can remember. Well, probably since I first saw Heretic. Anyway, although I'm perfectly willing to accept a certain amount of staleness from an FPS, even I'm reaching my breaking point. I have to assume many others are as well. And although I'm almost guaranteed to adore Assassin's Creed III and there are new ideas and mechanics included in that game, it's not that far away from familiar. Now is most certainly the time for a Beyond: Two Souls and other games that try new things, that aren't willing to remain within that protective shell. As one other developer said, gaming has become stuck in a rut of "bravado-filled wish fulfillment."

Unfortunately and perhaps unsurprisingly, it's the same rut movies are in, and I was hoping video games would remain immune for a while longer. But the influx of mainstream/casual gamers has skyrocketed and now we're left with what that market tends to bring: The boring same ol' same ol' because it's safe and because the not-so-bright individuals always want the familiar and fear the new. At this point, even though it sorta runs counter to Cage's point, I'd take a Heavy Rain 2. Actually, now that I think about it, I think we need Bioshock Infinite, too... I'm just really disillusioned with the state of things in the industry after MoH.

That being said, I have high hopes for the future. Guys like Cage aren't going away and Beyond is coming. Other designers are starting to see the light, too. So in no way am I saying "it's all over" or something like that; in fact, I think it's only just beginning.

Tags: david cage, quantic dream, gaming, video games, gaming culture

10/24/2012 10:24:30 PM Ben Dutka

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