Orwell: Keeping an Eye on You
What if, and I know that in today’s society I'm sure this is TOTALLY unlikely, there was a system that dug into everyone’s lives? A system that could parse data about you from websites, newspaper articles, private messages, e-mails, phone calls, or even from your actual cell phone and/or computer. Now let’s take it a step even further, let’s say this system then creates a web of all your relations (friends, family, lovers, ex-lovers, etc). This system, let's call it, Orwell: Keeping an Eye on You (by Osmotic Studios), can’t do everything itself, it needs analysts to help refine all the data that is uncovered. This analyst will have the power to decide what is relevant data for an individual, and what should be ignored. You get to be that analyst. You get to control the fate of individuals that may or may not have connections to a terrorist bombing spree.
When I first saw this game my immediate thought was, “Oh cool I get to play as ‘Big Brother’ in a game”. I have to say that having completed the game, which took me around 4.5 hours to play, I felt absolutely dirty. Having that kind of power in my hands, making quick decisions before researching the conflicting data, doomed so many of the people I was collecting data on. As a result I didn’t see the end coming, I wasn’t even CLOSE to getting it right. There is a lot of data that you’re going to be sifting through, and that means LOTS of reading (you know to make sure you get the correct context for a statement). The game will play over a series of days, each adding another layer, or going off in a totally different direction. I have to admit that even though I started to dread the potential ramifications for each of my decisions, I couldn’t stop playing until I got to the end.
I have a feeling that the developers of this game wanted the consequences of your actions to weigh heavy on your soul, and man did it work on me. I’m still having regret for some of the conclusions I jumped to, and in my opinion that type of result makes for a very solid game. This is definitely not for everyone, but there are going to be those gamers out there who will be drawn to it, and some of them might even have that dirty feeling in the end (just like I did). There is one other thing about this game that REALLY drives the Big Brother aspect home, and that is that you have to agree to the terms of the system you’re going to be working with.
The following terms need to be agreed on
I am aware that my actions may severely impact the lives of citizens of The Nation
I will work thoroughly and judge objectively in the best of my belief.
While working I will adhere to the laws and jurisdiction of the Nation.
