Video Game's Uncertain Launch: The Thief Developers Dismissed the Idea That Players Armed with Firearms Would Opt for Stealth Tactics
In the world of gaming, few titles have left as lasting an impact as Deus Ex, the groundbreaking cyberpunk RPG released in 1997. However, its path to success was not an easy one, as the original pitch for the game faced significant resistance.
Before John Romero's involvement and its eventual release, Deus Ex, then known as Troubleshooter, was a unique hybrid of multiple genres, including RPG, stealth, and first-person shooter (FPS) elements, with a deep, narrative-driven cyberpunk setting. This innovative combination proved challenging for Origin Systems, a company primarily known for traditional RPGs like the Ultima series, to categorise within their existing portfolio.
The proposal was met with skepticism by Spector's fellow developers at Origin Systems, who questioned the market viability of such a hybrid and narrative-heavy approach. The game's unconventional nature, coupled with the lead character's name, Jake Shooter, further added to the doubts.
However, all that changed with the arrival of John Romero, a prominent developer known for Doom and Quake. His involvement brought credibility and design expertise that helped secure the support needed for Deus Ex's development and eventual release.
Deus Ex, released in 1997, was a critical and commercial success, earning widespread acclaim for its immersive narrative, innovative gameplay mechanics, and groundbreaking blend of genres. It is now considered an all-time classic of PC gaming and has inspired many games to follow its style.
In the coming issue of PC Gamer, readers will have the opportunity to delve deeper into the story of Deus Ex's creation with a full interview with Warren Spector, the auteur of Deus Ex. This interview will be available to subscribers on July 15.
Harvey Randall, a writer for PC Gamer, will be leading the interview. Randall, who started his gaming journey with a World of Warcraft subscription at 12 years old, has a keen interest in games of all kinds. He has written for various websites, including Techradar, The Escapist, Dicebreaker, The Gamer, and Into the Spine.
In addition to his work in the digital gaming sphere, Randall is also an avid tabletop RPG player in his free time. His fellow PC Gamer team member, Robert Zak, shares a similar passion, focusing on any game that looks interesting, particularly RPGs, soulslikes, roguelikes, deckbuilders, MMOs, and indie titles.
As we look back on the journey of Deus Ex, it's clear that its unconventional blend of shooting, stealth, and RPG elements left a significant mark on the industry. Its influences can still be seen in many modern games, proving that sometimes, taking risks can lead to great rewards.
- The unique fusion of RPG, stealth, and first-person shooter elements in Deus Ex, initially met with skepticism, has left a lasting impact on the gaming world today.
- John Romero's involvement in Deus Ex brought not only credibility but also design expertise, essential for securing the game's development and eventual release.
- The future issue of PC Gamer will feature an interview with Warren Spector, delving deeper into the story of Deus Ex's creation, available to subscribers on July 15.
- In his free time, Harvey Randall, the interviewer for the Deus Ex feature, shares a passion for tabletop RPGs, much like his PC Gamer colleague, Robert Zak, who focuses on a variety of games, notably RPGs, indie titles, and others.
