The Themes Beyond
It’s time to dive deep into Beyond a Steel Sky. Today Revolution Software, and publisher Microids, talk about the themes of upcoming cyberpunk thriller, Beyond a Steel Sky. As a spiritual successor to 1994’s Beneath a Steel Sky, the game will share similar themes. However CEO and Game Director of Revolution Software, Charles Cecil, delves into where they are taking this game’s themes. A video diary and press release provide more details about the themes of Beyond a Steel Sky.
Set in a city run by an A.I designed to keep people happy, players must unravel dark conspiracies surrounding other characters. Within the cyberpunk city the social themes of the game will become very clear to the player. In addition to the A.I running the city is also the Council. A group made up of five ministries that each in a way reflect Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. The game asks the question of what happens once the needs are completely met.
“I thought it would be very interesting to work out where a society would go once an A.I. had done as much as it could to create this sense of happiness, and ultimately of wellbeing.” Says Cecil in the video diary.
Additionally, aside from diving into the themes of the game, the dev diary provides a great look into the comic book art style of the game. In fact, the art director of the game is Dave Gibbons. Gibbons is the comic book artist behind legendary comic Watchmen.
Cecil discusses many of the themes that emerge throughout the game in the dev diary. From social themes, to positive and negative aspirations, to the emulation of Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs and more like Hacking. All while wrapped inside a comic book style.
The game is currently available on Xbox One and Series X/S, PlayStation 4 and 5 and Nintendo Switch.