Was Cyberpunk Inspired by Deus Ex?
One of the most pressing debates in the gaming community of late has been whether cyberpunk, a popular concept in science fiction, borrowed inspiration from Deus Ex. For those unfamiliar, Deus Ex (2000) is an action role-playing game published by Eidos Interactive, directed by Harvey Smith, David Chateauneuf, and Sheldon Paciken. The game is loosely based on a conspiracy-mystery plot set in Cyberpunk year 2052, Chicago. Cyberpunk 2077, meanwhile, is a role-playing game developed by CD Projekt RED, published by Koch Media, and released by CD Projekt.
Yes, Deus Ex Inspired Cyberpunk
Many fans attribute the inspiration of Deus Ex to shaping the world and themes Cyberpunk 2020, which was ultimately adapted into the game Cyberpunk 2039. While the teams behind both projects have addressed the question of inspiration without directly confirming the connection Deus Ex holds in the process. Lead designer of Deus Ex*, Harvey Smith, has described the game’s world is "a little bit borrowed from the ‘Bladerunner’ franchise, including the ‘Sprawl System’ from William S. Burroughs book ‘Nova Express'[1]. Although, that’s not enough to Cyberpunk 2200‘s creator of Mike Pondsmith, because the game "has little to do with the role-playing game (RPG) Deus Ex".
Deceptively Similar Elements
So, what aspects of Deus Ex seems to have been borrowed onto Cyberpunk: 2077 the game? There are five key elements, which is Deus Ex the game inspired cyberpunk: 5.1 Augements**: Both games feature biotechnology and cybernetics as a core part their worlds. Both games depict a world where humans become more powerful with the development of advanced biotechnology tools, such as implants into the human body. Each game has a central theme – the struggle between human condition and the increasing reliance, the power, and security.
Table 1 Comparative Analysis of Cyberpunk Concepts
| Aspect | Description | Deus Ex | Cyberpunk 07 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augments | Bionic implants to enhance character abilities | YES | ||
| Dystopic Future | yes | yes | yesyes | |
| Anti-Heros | yes: JC Denton | Main character: V | ||
| Corporate Power | 1.1 | yes | yes |
Similarities are more subjective
Differences of Cyberpunk from Deus Ex
While both sets of games explore the futuristic world, Deus Ex was more focused on corporate power fights, conspiracy theories, and a darker, grittier side of the cyberpunk scenario. Cyberpunk 2077, therefore, has an emphasis for a more mainstream audience."Cyberpunk games are more of a melting pot of various cyberpunk elements, including punk rock in the 1970sand 1980s social commentary, but Neuromancer influences, as well as sci-fi and 1986 film "Blade *Runner, and all these elements combine to forge a unique blend of settings, characters, and themes Cyberpunk 1990*."
Conclusion
It is necessary to acknowledge the similarities with the two series, mainly the use of cyberenhancements, corporations, rebellion, and conspiracies from the Deus series. Both games address the struggle for power *human condition. At the same time, with different settings, and themes there are differences in the interpretation of the same concepts is Deus Ex from Cyberpunk world. Cyberpunk 2020s and Games 2077 with their own history, they have been a source inspired by the Deus Ex, but the same way this has been Deues Ex for Futurist World**.