Acts of Becoming

This article examines the rich historical subtext in future-focused storylines of Quantic Dream’s 2018 release Detroit: Become Human (PS4) and illuminates many thematic continuities racial issues between past future. Much subtle symbolism appears to have went unnoticed by reviewers who maligned videogame its creator David Cage for relying on lazy tropes that clunkily connect African American civil rights movement narrative woke androids engaging a struggle greater equality society. Following scholarship has examined development racialized thought past, this essay recognizes “race” as powerful, yet malleable social construct, sometimes changes over time. Racial concepts game do not perfectly align with or contemporary understandings United States. Androids, short, all belong same “race.” then contends three playable characters resonate well-crafted parallels geography gameworld often closely tethers Detroit. The Markus, Connor, Kara intertwining stories represent different elements minority life States clearest experience Americans. Human, nonetheless, is science fiction about androids. Framing equal future group beings exist potential disarm gameplayers latent biases may otherwise color their view issues. asserts wedding together through experiential gameplay nurtures an empathic understanding concerns carry present impact