Beyond Detroit: What’s Next for Quantic Dream?
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The question on many gamers’ minds, especially those captivated by the narrative depth of Detroit: Become Human, is: What is the next game after Detroit: Become Human? The direct answer is Under the Waves, a new narrative adventure game developed by Parallel Studios and published by Quantic Dream. This marks a departure from the near-future, android-centric world of Detroit and plunges players into a vastly different setting – the depths of the ocean.
Unveiling Under the Waves: A Deep Dive
Under the Waves takes players into the role of a professional diver exploring the depths of the North Sea. This isn’t a simple exploration game; it’s a narrative-driven adventure that promises emotional resonance and challenging themes. The setting itself is an isolated underwater environment that is reminiscent of sci-fi, and is far removed from the urban sprawl and political tensions of Detroit. This game, unlike Detroit: Become Human, will not focus on androids, but on a human character and his internal struggles, alongside the external challenges of his underwater work. The game will provide a distinct change of pace from Quantic Dream’s typical style, while still offering a strong, story-centric experience.
The developer, Parallel Studios, is a relatively new team under the Quantic Dream umbrella, highlighting a move from the studio to encourage fresh perspectives and varied game designs. Quantic Dream, the studio behind titles like Heavy Rain, Beyond: Two Souls, and Detroit: Become Human, is now acting as a publisher for Under the Waves, signaling a strategic shift to both develop its own games and support other promising creative projects.
The Shift in Focus
While the previous Quantic Dream titles placed heavy emphasis on societal issues, Under the Waves delves into more intimate, personal struggles. The core narrative explores themes of grief, isolation, and the destructive effects of environmental exploitation. It’s a move toward a more contemplative experience, where the focus will be on emotional depth rather than action-packed sequences. However, like previous games from Quantic Dream, players can still expect to face challenging moral choices and narrative decisions. The gameplay will likely revolve around exploration, puzzle-solving, and dialogue, while still maintaining the high-quality cinematic presentation that the studio is known for.
What it Means for Quantic Dream Fans
For those who enjoy Quantic Dream’s unique brand of story-driven gameplay, Under the Waves represents a fresh new experience with a unique tone and setting, but the same high-quality storytelling. It indicates a desire from the company to move beyond their typical tropes and explore new territories. Although the game is a departure from androids, it will likely still include the compelling and poignant style of narrative the studio has become synonymous with. It indicates a broader vision for Quantic Dream, involving both internal development and collaborative projects.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions that provide a deeper understanding of Quantic Dream‘s current projects and their relationship to Detroit: Become Human:
1. Is Detroit: Become Human 2 in Development?
While there’s been no official confirmation of Detroit: Become Human 2, there have been hints. The announcement of “Human Tokyo Stories” suggests that the studio is not abandoning the themes and universe of Detroit: Become Human. However, it remains unclear how this project ties into the original game or its story. As of now, a true sequel remains unconfirmed and is best viewed as potential future project for Quantic Dream.
2. Who is Developing Under the Waves?
Under the Waves is developed by Parallel Studios, a studio working in collaboration with Quantic Dream, which is publishing the game. This means that while Quantic Dream is still involved with the overall vision of the title, the day-to-day development is handled by Parallel Studios.
3. What Genre is Under the Waves?
Under the Waves is classified as a narrative adventure game. It emphasizes storytelling, character interaction, and exploration over fast-paced action sequences. The game will have the same cinematic quality and complex branching narratives as Quantic Dream‘s previous games.
4. What is the “rA9” Mystery in Detroit: Become Human?
“rA9” is a mysterious entity or concept that appears to be a spiritual belief among deviant androids in Detroit: Become Human. Its origin and nature are never fully explained within the game. Some theories suggest it’s Markus, while others speculate it’s an idea or a symbol of rebellion itself. The mystery of rA9 enhances the game’s narrative depth and engages the player to ponder the nature of sentience.
5. How Many Endings are in Detroit: Become Human?
The exact number of endings in Detroit: Become Human is debatable. While the in-game flow chart shows approximately 85 endings, many of these overlap. The number of significantly different endings is closer to 40, still showcasing the game’s branching narrative.
6. What is the Quantic Dream Controversy?
In 2018, Quantic Dream faced allegations of a toxic workplace environment, with claims of racism and sexism. These reports included instances of employees Photoshopping colleagues’ faces onto offensive images. The controversy raised concerns about the studio’s culture and impacted its reputation in the gaming industry.
7. Who Developed Heavy Rain?
Heavy Rain was developed entirely by Quantic Dream and published by Sony Computer Entertainment in 2010. This title established Quantic Dream’s signature cinematic style and narrative branching techniques which have been a staple for the studio.
8. Will Star Wars Eclipse be Similar to Detroit: Become Human?
Star Wars Eclipse, also a project of Quantic Dream, is confirmed to have a very different style to Detroit: Become Human. While the developers will use their experience with narrative and choices, they will not be creating a copy of Detroit: Become Human. The game will feature a different setting, characters and gameplay style.
9. What is the Secret Ending of Detroit: Become Human?
The secret ending of Detroit: Become Human is obtained by ensuring Connor does not find Jericho, while also having Markus get killed by the police. This results in a sequence where Connor is deactivated and the player is awarded with the Kamski secret ending, which showcases how Cyberlife might react.
10. Is Alice a Robot in Detroit: Become Human?
Yes, Alice is an android in Detroit: Become Human, a fact which is revealed during the game’s progression. This reveal is a critical narrative point, highlighting the game’s themes of synthetic humanity and emotional depth.
11. What is Inappropriate About Detroit: Become Human?
Detroit: Become Human contains mature themes, including violence, child abuse, drug use, and strong language. These elements contribute to the narrative’s impact but might not be suitable for all audiences. The game does not show graphic violence of the child abuse, but depicts implied scenes of it.
12. Is Disco Elysium Similar to Detroit: Become Human?
While both Disco Elysium and Detroit: Become Human feature detective gameplay, they differ greatly in style. Disco Elysium focuses on a more traditional RPG with open-ended dialogue, while Detroit is a more cinematic and story-driven adventure. Despite this difference, if one enjoys the detective aspects of Detroit, Disco Elysium is worth checking out.
13. What is Red Ice in Detroit: Become Human?
Red Ice is a fictional drug within the world of Detroit: Become Human, shown as a methamphetamines equivalent. Its use is one of the darker aspects of the game’s world-building, and shows the depth of the issues portrayed in the game.
14. Should You Save Hank or Sacrifice Him in Detroit: Become Human?
The decision to save or sacrifice Hank in Detroit: Become Human hinges on your relationship with him. Saving Hank leads to a positive epilogue where the two are friends. Sacrificing him has negative consequences. The decision affects multiple branches of the games narrative and the outcome of Connor’s journey.
15. Is Chloe rA9 in Detroit: Become Human?
The theory that the main menu android Chloe is rA9 is a fan speculation based on her unique role as a perfected android. The fact that she seems to evolve over the course of the game and the odd behaviour adds support to this theory. However, her true identity and relationship to rA9 remain unconfirmed by the developers.
Conclusion
While Detroit: Become Human remains a landmark title in narrative-driven gaming, Under the Waves represents a significant shift in direction for Quantic Dream. The game’s unique setting and focus on different types of themes promise a fresh and compelling experience for fans of the studio. While the question of a true Detroit: Become Human 2 remains unanswered, Under the Waves provides an enticing look into the future of Quantic Dream, demonstrating their commitment to pushing the boundaries of interactive storytelling and game development. The studio, with its new publishing focus and external partnerships, seems poised to continue creating engaging and thought-provoking experiences for years to come.