David Cage developed some of the most unique games of the past ten years in Indigo Prophecy, Heavy Rain, and now Beyond: Two Souls. So people tend to listen when he talks, and today he is talking about video games over reliance on technology. In addition, Cage also talked about what types of games he believes need to be developed in order to properly utilize Hollywood talent:
“If we keep making things based on violence and platform jumping, you don’t need Ellen Page to do this, to be honest. It would be a waste of time and a waste of money, If the games we make continue to go in that direction, then no [we don't need Hollywood actors]. Now, if there are more and more games trying to create something more meaningful with proper actors, proper story and a proper portrayal of emotions in games, then we will need talented actors.”
Cage then went on to speak about all the technology he is using to create Beyond: Two Souls, which apparently took over twelve months to shoot using 65 cameras. He spent time talking about how the technology he is using for Beyond: Two Souls is an improvement over the technology he used for Heavy Rain. However, he added a side note about the dangers of over using technology to build games:
“The thing is, the better the hardware the more time we spend to improve the visuals to take advantage of the hardware. Technology remains a tool: you can have the best tool in the world but if you have nothing to say it will remain an empty experience.”
Cage may not seem like it but he is a pretty divisive figure in gaming, mostly because he tends to be very open about what he likes and doesn’t like about the gaming industry. In addition, he is very found of pushing the industry more towards cinematics almost to a detriment of actual video games. In other words, he sometimes comes off as someone who would rather be making movies and tries to push the industry towards the movie industry which doesn’t always sit well with people.
On the flip side he creates some of the most interesting and unique games in the entire industry. Personally Beyond: Two Souls is at the top of my most anticipated lists for next year, hopefully it can live up to all the hype from E3.
