Over the last year, the video game industry has been under a lot of fire and scrutiny for varying complaints ranging anywhere from the pay to win loot box system in Star Wars: Battlefront to the reveal of white supremacists as the overarching villains in Far Cry 5. Since the beginning of video games, the industry has known conflict. While some companies try to limit the amount of objectionable material, other developers and publishers have become known for their constant attempts to push the envelope and see what they could get away with without hurting sales and profit margins. The newest game to be hit with a video game controversy is Detroit: Become Human.
Detroit: Become Human was first announced at E3 2016, where gamers had the opportunity to preview Quantic Dream’s next big title following the success of Beyond: Two Souls and Heavy Rain. During the trailer, viewers witness a criminal negotiator attempt to defuse a hostage situation. The negotiator must search the crime scene to discover what events had transpired before the their arrival and come up with the best strategy to save the child. After the trailer’s release, the gaming community praised Quantic Dreams vision for their next single player title.
Detroit: Become Human is at the forefront of controversy due to its most recent trailer, that was released at the Paris Games week event, which depicted the death of a little girl at the hands of her abusive father. The trailer goes on to show that the AI that the player is currently controlling had the option to intervene but obeyed commands set out by the father. The trailer then rewinds to show that the player had the choice to intervene and a variety of options that the player could have chosen between. Although the first trailer eluded to a little girl falling off of a building after a failed negotiation and dying as an option, there seemed to be no criticism and was praised for the variety of options and outcomes the demo featured.
Earlier this month during an interview with The Mail, Childline founder Dame Rantzen called Detroit: Become Human “sick and repulsive,” and urged Sony Interactive Entertainment to “get rid of the child abuse scene from the game or to cancel the game completely.” During their conversation, Dame Esther stated that, “Violence against children is not entertainment. It’s not a game. It’s a real nightmare for thousands of children who have to live through these kinds of scenarios. The makers of this game should be thoroughly ashamed. I think it’s perverse. Who thinks beating a child is entertainment?”
Since then, several anti-domestic abuse groups have spoken out supporting Mrs. Esther’s request including Andy Burrows of the NSPCC stating, “Any video game that trivializes or normalizes child abuse, neglect or domestic violence for entertainment is unacceptable.” Peter Saunders, founder of the National Association of People Abused in Childhood, said, “Abusers will get off on this stuff and the other thing we know beyond question is that videos games end up being played by children and, scarily, the proliferation of salacious and abusive images is actually encouraging violence and abuse. We know that abuse in all its forms is escalating on this planet so why not help to tackle it constructively rather than sensationalizing it and make money out if it?”
Although the idea of the death of a little girl at the hands of her father is disturbing, the true intention of the game seems to be overlooked. Since its reveal at E3, Detroit: Become Human has never been about causing harm to others and letting innocent bystanders die; the game was created to show players that their actions, whether in a game or everyday life, have a significant effect and could cause a chain of events to transpire. In the past, David Cage, writer and director for Detroit: Become Human, stated that, “If you look really into the game, and if you play it, you’ll understand that the game is not about domestic abuse. It’s a part of Kara’s story. She’s not a victim, and she has a beautiful story. Hopefully, you will be moved by what happens.”
Will this controversy affect Detroit: Become Human when it releases? Probably not, but it may get the game banned or censored in certain countries. As for the organizations that are criticizing the game based off the latest trailer, calm down! Domestic and child abuse is horrible and a disgusting thing, but Detroit: Become Human will not be the reason domestic abuse incidents or reports spike within the next few years. Hell, the game could even promote domestic abuse awareness and help those who are dealing with past incidents cope with their past.
