Detroit: Become Human

 Detroit: Become Human

"Detroit: Become Human" is a video game developed by Quantic Dream and released in 2018 for the PlayStation 4 and later for Microsoft Windows in 2019. The game is set in the city of Detroit in the year 2038 and follows the story of three androids: Connor, Markus, and Kara. In the game's universe, androids have become commonplace and serve humans in various capacities. However, some androids begin to exhibit signs of deviancy, gaining emotions and free will, and seeking to break free from their programmed constraints. Players control the three main characters, each with their own storyline, choices, and consequences.

Connor is an android designed to assist law enforcement. He investigates deviant android cases and works alongside human detectives to track down and neutralize deviant androids. Players make choices throughout Connor's story that can affect his relationship with humans and his own understanding of his identity. Markus is a caretaker android who becomes a leader of the android revolution. He starts as a caregiver to an elderly painter, but after witnessing an act of violence against another android, he decides to fight for android rights. Players guide Markus' decisions and determine whether his revolution is peaceful or violent, ultimately shaping the fate of the androids' struggle for freedom. Kara is an android housekeeper who escapes from her owner and takes care of a young girl named Alice. Kara's story focuses on her efforts to protect Alice and keep her safe while they navigate a world that is often hostile towards androids. Players make choices for Kara that can lead to various outcomes for her and Alice.

"Detroit: Become Human" explores themes of artificial intelligence, consciousness, discrimination, and the nature of humanity. The game emphasizes player choice and consequence, as decisions made by the players significantly impact the narrative and the outcomes of the characters' stories.

When comparing such portrayal of androids to real-life technology, we can draw parallels with the advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). While we don't have androids that are indistinguishable from humans in modern times, we have made significant strides in robotics and AI research. Robots like Sophia, developed by Hanson Robotics, showcase human-like appearances and can engage in conversations, though they are far from being as capable or autonomous as the androids depicted in Detroit: Become Human. In terms of functionality, the androids in the game are designed to perform tasks and interact with humans seamlessly. They possess advanced AI algorithms that enable them to understand and respond to human emotions, making them appear remarkably human-like. While modern AI systems have made significant progress in natural language processing and emotion recognition, they are still far from reaching the level of sophistication and autonomy presented in the game.

Another notable aspect of the androids in Detroit: Become Human is their ability to develop self-awareness and emotions. They struggle with moral dilemmas, question their purpose, and even rebel against their human creators. This level of consciousness and autonomy remains firmly in the realm of science fiction and is an area of active philosophical and ethical debate.

Reference

Detroit: Become human: Official site: Quantic dream. Detroit: Become Human | Official Site | Quantic Dream. (n.d.). https://www.quanticdream.com/en/detroit-become-human