Unreleased Deus Ex: Mankind Divided Music Surfaces Amid Franchise Uncertainty

The Echoes of a Cybernetic Future: A Soundtrack's Legacy and a Franchise's Fate

A Hopeful Acquisition Turns to Disappointment for Deus Ex Enthusiasts

Initially, the acquisition of the 'Deus Ex' rights by Embracer Group sparked considerable optimism among fans, who envisioned a revival of the cherished series. Discussions hinted at potential new installments, including a conclusion to the Adam Jensen narrative, remasters of earlier titles, or even a revisit to 'Invisible War'. However, these aspirations were quickly dashed when Embracer Group faced significant financial setbacks, leading to widespread layoffs, project cancellations, and the divestiture of valuable intellectual properties, effectively dimming the prospects for 'Deus Ex'.

A Melodic Consolation Amidst Franchise Uncertainty

In a surprising turn, Sascha Dikiciyan, known artistically as Sonic Mayhem and co-composer for 'Deus Ex: Mankind Divided', has unveiled a compilation of musical pieces originally crafted for the game but never released. This collection, aptly named 'Fragments of the Machine [Data Archive Vol 1]', offers a unique comfort to the dedicated fanbase. It comprises ten tracks, including various cues, drafts, and demos that were deemed unsuited for the official soundtrack.

Behind the Scenes: The Genesis of Unreleased Tracks

Dikiciyan elaborated on the origins of these musical fragments, explaining that they represent a selection of his extensive work from 2015 to 2016 for 'Mankind Divided' and its downloadable content. He noted that while the official soundtrack featured a curated selection, much of his creative output, spanning cinematic scores, trailer music, in-game club tracks, and developmental ideas, remained unheard until now. The release provides an authentic, raw insight into the game's audio development, with some pieces retaining their unmixed, unmastered, and even incomplete states.

A Gift to the Community and a Glimpse into the Composer's New Endeavor

The composer expressed his desire to share these archives as a token of appreciation for the enduring connection fans feel towards the 'Deus Ex' universe. This release also strategically precedes the launch of 'Metal Eden', a new sci-fi first-person shooter from Ruiner's developers, for which Dikiciyan also contributed music. This simultaneous timing allows fans to appreciate his past work while anticipating his latest creation.

The Haunting Beauty of Synths and the Lingering Question of Deus Ex's Future

Among the newly released tracks, 'DeusEx_MD_DespMeasures_Ambient#2_beta4' stands out for its evocative synthesized sounds, drawing parallels to the iconic 'UNATCO theme' from the original 'Deus Ex'. Listening to these tracks evokes a sense of melancholy, as the future of the 'Deus Ex' series remains shrouded in doubt. Recent revelations, such as the voice actor for Adam Jensen being asked to cease discussions about the character, further cement the perception that the franchise's journey is currently on an indefinite pause, leaving fans with only the rich, atmospheric synths to cherish.