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Annotated version of an original Deus Ex design doc surfaces

gamasutra.com

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Re: Annotated version of an original Deus Ex design doc surfaces

#21

Post by skoczymroczny »

Narishma wrote: post #19
pluma wrote: post #3

Fascinating how the design doc simultaneously seems to describe an entirely different game yet already shares so many similarities with what would finally become Deus Ex. EDIT: The postmortem linked at the end of the post also includes an even older pitch for the game from 1994 which has even less in common with the final release. It's amazing how the game mutated from "rugged ex-cop action movie shooter" to "cyberpu…

> where it's actually possible to beat the game without killing anyone. It's been a long time since I last played the game but I don't believe that's true without cheating.

without any bug exploiting, you can use killphrases on anne and run away from gunther (or use killphrase too). I think Howard Strong is the only guy you have to actually kill.

Re: Annotated version of an original Deus Ex design doc surfaces

#22

Post by SmellyGeekBoy »

ehnto wrote: post #11
frik wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You simple cannot compare Deus Ex 3 and 4 with Deus Ex 1. Deus Ex 1 is a much different and better game, a lot of thought went into it, the player can do so much more it's not even funny. No other game with Deus Ex in the name comes even close. Play Deus Ex 1 first and come back later, though some may never get into DX1 because the graphics hasn't aged that well.

Oh I wasn't comparing the game itself, but the franchises art style and story telling has really flourished with 3 and 4 I feel. I have played all 4 and loved each one, the charm and freedom of the first may not have been reached with it's successors but I feel like 3 and 4 at least really were fantastic games in their own right.

Totally agreed. It doesn't seem to be a popular opinion among hardcore fans of the first game but I think Eidos are really doing a fantastic job with the franchise.

Sure, the games are flawed ("press a button to pick an ending", immersion breaking boss battles, game breaking launch day bugs, silly DLC and pre-order bonuses) but the world and story they've built are absolutely spot-on. People seem to be quick to forget that the original had its fair share of flaws as well.

Re: Annotated version of an original Deus Ex design doc surfaces

#23

Post by sundvor »

papaf wrote: post #10
frik wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You simple cannot compare Deus Ex 3 and 4 with Deus Ex 1. Deus Ex 1 is a much different and better game, a lot of thought went into it, the player can do so much more it's not even funny. No other game with Deus Ex in the name comes even close. Play Deus Ex 1 first and come back later, though some may never get into DX1 because the graphics hasn't aged that well.

We used to play Deus Ex 1 in a pair. The game was so different for each player and their playing style that it never got boring. We completed the whole game in this way. One highlight that I remember was the explanation of mass surveillance being a replacement for less religion in a society. In the past people censored themselves because God was always watching. It was hoped that people would continue to censor thems…

"Some people just don't understand the dangers of indiscriminate surveillance" @1:24. This games was so ahead of itself.

Re: Annotated version of an original Deus Ex design doc surfaces

#26

Post by Paul_S »

skoczymroczny wrote: post #21
Narishma wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> where it's actually possible to beat the game without killing anyone. It's been a long time since I last played the game but I don't believe that's true without cheating.

without any bug exploiting, you can use killphrases on anne and run away from gunther (or use killphrase too). I think Howard Strong is the only guy you have to actually kill.

Technically you also kill (indirectly) the crew of the ship you scuttle, Maggie, the Area 51 staff who are outside when you diverted the missile etc.

Re: Annotated version of an original Deus Ex design doc surfaces

#27

Post by Paul_S »

SmellyGeekBoy wrote: post #22
ehnto wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Oh I wasn't comparing the game itself, but the franchises art style and story telling has really flourished with 3 and 4 I feel. I have played all 4 and loved each one, the charm and freedom of the first may not have been reached with it's successors but I feel like 3 and 4 at least really were fantastic games in their own right.

Totally agreed. It doesn't seem to be a popular opinion among hardcore fans of the first game but I think Eidos are really doing a fantastic job with the franchise. Sure, the games are flawed ("press a button to pick an ending", immersion breaking boss battles, game breaking launch day bugs, silly DLC and pre-order bonuses) but the world and story they've built are absolutely spot-on. People seem to be quick to forge…

There is also the generational difference in cultural references: G. K. Chesterton VS 4chan.

Re: Annotated version of an original Deus Ex design doc surfaces

#28

Post by Sharlin »

moogly wrote: post #17
ehnto wrote: post #6

I am currently playing Mankind Divided and have been reading into the art direction from interviews with the art director. I just love the world they have created and the way they utilize it to tell the story. One of their ethos is "show don't tell" and you can see they have really taken it to heart. The locations tell the story just as well as the dialog does.

It's too bad they didn't follow that for the story/social commentary though. The latter ended up being so hamfisted and shoved down your throat it was almost comical, and that's coming from a "bleeding-heart lib'rul" like me.

The stories and themes in HR and MD are certainly ambitious compared to most games - unfortunately the writing simply isn't up to the task. I don't know whether it's due to lack of skill, prioritization, resources, or perhaps courage to really say something original or controversial. Sheldon Pacotti's DX1 script, in comparison, is something truly special and comparable to some of the best SF literature there is. And that, starting from the pretty ludicruous premise that most conspiracy theories are actuall true!

Re: Annotated version of an original Deus Ex design doc surfaces

#29

Post by popeshoe »

Deus Ex got me at the perfect time in my life (15 y/o pseudo-intellectual nerd) so I really loved the game, so reading this was great. Such was my nerd infatuation with this game, that as I was reading about the various locations, the corresponding music would pop into my brain almost immediately, a testament to the great soundtrack (eg. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FZ-12a3dTI )

Especially interesting is seeing how the times and what we expect from videogames have changed, on page 23 there's a dejected nod to people expecting a 90s first person game to have multiplayer, even though it's primarily a single player RPG, but they'll do it as a bullet point to go on the back of the box.

Re: Annotated version of an original Deus Ex design doc surfaces

#30

Post by sesqu »

frik wrote: post #8
ehnto wrote: post #6

I am currently playing Mankind Divided and have been reading into the art direction from interviews with the art director. I just love the world they have created and the way they utilize it to tell the story. One of their ethos is "show don't tell" and you can see they have really taken it to heart. The locations tell the story just as well as the dialog does.

You simple cannot compare Deus Ex 3 and 4 with Deus Ex 1. Deus Ex 1 is a much different and better game, a lot of thought went into it, the player can do so much more it's not even funny. No other game with Deus Ex in the name comes even close. Play Deus Ex 1 first and come back later, though some may never get into DX1 because the graphics hasn't aged that well.

DX1 is surprisingly empty and small when you play it today. There was a lot there that isn't in the newer games, but a lot is also missing.
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