Deus Ex Creator on Elon Musk's Misinterpretation of the Game's Themes

Unmasking the Irony: When Reality Clashes with Digital Dystopia

A Billionaire's Video Game Preference and Its Ironic Underside

Elon Musk, a figure of immense wealth and influence, has openly lauded \"Deus Ex\" as a masterpiece in the gaming world. While this sentiment is widely shared, the co-writer of the game, Austin Grossman, points out a troubling disconnect. Grossman suggests that Musk's admiration for the game is ironically devoid of self-awareness, especially given Musk's self-portrayal as an anti-establishment hero despite his vast fortune and controversial public statements.

The Narrative of Control: Echoes of "Deus Ex" in Real-World Discourse

Musk's critiques of societal structures often emerge when his personal interests or controversial views are challenged. Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he drew parallels between public health measures and a sinister plot from \"Deus Ex\" involving a manufactured crisis orchestrated by a powerful elite. This comparison, in Grossman's view, highlights a profound misinterpretation of the game's core narrative, which critiques, rather than endorses, such power dynamics.

Grossman's Perspective: A Creator's Disappointment

Austin Grossman, who shaped the intricate world of \"Deus Ex\" along with Sheldon Pacotti and Chris Todd, expresses his clear disagreement with Musk's interpretation. He finds it unsettling that the themes he explored—the ethics of transhumanism and the mechanisms of control wielded by the powerful—are seemingly embraced by someone who embodies the very power structures the game scrutinizes.

The Unsettling Resonance: Game Themes and Reality

Both \"Deus Ex\" and \"Dishonored,\" another title co-written by Grossman, delve deep into the machinations of those in power and their methods of influence. These narratives also critically examine transhumanism, an area where Musk has made significant investments. Grossman observes that the \"creepy\" resonance of these themes with Musk's worldview is perhaps the most \"long-lasting, worst legacy\" of the games.

A Misguided Self-Perception Within the Game's Universe

Grossman finds it perplexing that Musk fails to recognize his own position within the \"Deus Ex\" narrative. Instead of identifying with JC Denton, the game's protagonist who challenges the established order, Grossman asserts that Musk's real-world persona aligns more closely with figures like Bob Page, the AI-obsessed billionaire antagonist of the game. This suggests a fundamental misunderstanding of the game's critique of unchecked power and privilege.

The Perils of Public Critique: A Creator's Apprehension

Critiquing influential figures like Elon Musk can attract significant backlash, often from a zealous online following and at times, from Musk himself. Grossman acknowledges this risk, recounting a previous interview where he was candid about Musk's perceived lack of self-reflection. He jokingly expresses concern for his safety should Musk ever encounter his commentary, emphasizing the powerful and at times retaliatory nature of online discourse.

The Unflattering Reflection: Musk as a "Deus Ex" Villain

Grossman's prior statements to The Independent further illuminate his perspective, where he directly stated that Musk's self-image as a common man defying the elite is a delusion. He starkly contrasts Musk with the game's protagonist, asserting that Musk, with his immense power, is incapable of true introspection. In a more cutting remark, Grossman suggested that the game's universe, despite its array of antagonists, contains no villain as \"whiny and self-servingly delusional\" as Musk appears to be.