It seems that the undeniable success of Cyberpunk 2077's marketing campaign, whether that translates to strong games sales or not, has lionised a good many imagineers out there who were just sitting on their perfect cyberpunk fantasies waiting for the tech to catch up to their dreams. Looking around at the state of the industry it isn't hard to see that there has been something of a renaissance for futuristic, Sci-Fi-esque and even straight-up Cybperpunk titles coming at the gaming public from every which where. You have indie titles like 'Ghostrunner', (Mirror's Edge with cyborg ninjas) Bigger budget affairs like 'Watch_Dogs Leigon' (Ubisoft's latest confused attempt to create commentary about- sticking it to the man? I guess?) and absolutely diddly-squat out of Square Enix despite, you know, them literally owning the license to the single most beloved gaming Cyberpunk licence of all time; Deus Ex. (Just tell me what sort of profane demonic rituals I have to perform in order to see a proper 'Human Revolution' sequel and I'll do them!)
But where there are a good dozen or so creators who's long dormant ideas have been liberated by the newfound attention that CDPR have fuelled into this genre, there are those with the eyes to see opportunity from this situation, but whom are woefully lacking in anything resembling talent. Enter Tencent. You remember these guys, right? Pretty much every major censorship debacle that has struck the gaming industry over the past 10 years can be traced back to them and their 'maybe-they're-more-than-just-friends'-type relationship they've held with the Chinese Government. (With the exception of the 'sexual torture' scene that was planned for Outlast 2. That scene was scrapped because they were bade to by 'the whims of their intentions'. Yeah, I call the Australian government 'my intentions' sometimes too.) We have the time when all images of skulls were removed from a map in 'Rainbow Six Seige' at their behest; that time when they got a Blizzard competitive player fired alongside the two commentators there for standing up for his home country of Hong Kong; and the time when they assumed chief financing over 'Top Gun 2' and thus forced them to remove the Taiwan flag from Tom Cruise's famous jacket. Those are the sorts of goons you've got running things over at Tencent.
They aren't just a company known for rolling and dangling financial support over people's heads in return for hoop jumping, however, they are also a cynical husk of a company that tries to actively taint the creative landscape of the industry by forcing themselves into other properties because they lack the imagination and skill to invent their own. (No, it isn't a 'means' thing. They're one of the biggest conglomerates in the world; they're just that pathetically untalented that they've not an original idea since their pox-ridden company was founded) Gamers found this lesson out most famously when Tencent partnered with Blizzard to offend and astound Diablo players by announcing the money-gouging spin-off 'Diablo Immortal'; and more recently were reminded of these antics when the same company pulled it again with 'Pokemon Unite'. And no, you can't really avoid these guys even if you're trying. They own Riot games, Miniclip, Grinding Gear games, The Clash of Clans people, parts of Ubisoft and Paradox and so many more.
And yet with all of that apparent 'experience' in the industry there are precious few 'original' projects that these people have got their hands behind. Nothing interesting that was spurheaded by them and has the potential to, not only grow into something substantial, but also have a positive reflection on the industry. But after their most recent announcement, people will now have to come to the conclusion that practically nothing has changed in that regard and that they are just as creatively-void as ever; expect now it's for being a derivative scumbag rather than just a repugnant leech. (So I guess that's an upgrade?) And yes, just as the title of this blog and my 'subtle' indications have implied; the target of Tencent's brand new copy and paste job is none other than the Cyberpunk genre. (Watch your ass CDPR; Tencent's coming for ya!)
'Code: Syn' is an attempt at hopping onto that ol' Cyberpunk train long after it's left the station and without any remote clue of the thematic norms that the genre typically promotes. (Such as anti-corportism) In fact, it seems like a game, that's apparently slated for Consoles and PC, that has been constructed with literally no grasp of how modern video game marketing works. Let me start with their reveal trailer that dropped just a few days back; what an absolute waste of a reveal, do these guys not have a marketing department? (Yes, I know it's meant to be a tech demo. It still doesn't make it any less impressive) The introduction of the world of 'Code: Syn' felt about as dry as an investor call, complete with flashes of uninspired Cyberpunk tropes, (such as neon holographics and distant Asian influences) unenthused narration that sounded like the voice had been constructed by an AI and an action-packed indepth dive into- the customisation system? That- that's your idea of putting your best foot forward?
It's not hard to see the attempts to ape the Mike Pondsmith inspired adaptation, it practically exudes from every single pore of 'Code: Syn'. You can see the monolithic skylines inspired by the Ridley Scott 'Blade Runner' vision, the push of technology that is meant to be 'futuristic' but not removed from the current day, and they even replicated the retro-futuristic angle in the 80s-inspired vehicles that are teased. (Although 'Code: Syn's vehicles are considerably less high quality both in design and fidelity.) In fact, even the thumbnail for the Youtube video showcases a young-looking Asian woman who appears to be wearing something that very much resembles the, now-iconic, Samurai jacket. (As I said, not one original thought has been generated) In fact, the only way in which Tencent have diversified their vision from CDPR's is through the same way that they've always done; horribly misplaced sex-appeal.
Now don't get me wrong; exploiting sex appeal doesn't just have it's place in Cyberpunk, it's actually one of the ways in which the themes are expressed. But whereas CDPR explore this knowingly and aware of what they are depicting, not as an endorsement but as a condemnation; Tencent are typically clueless. (In the same way that 'This is Vegas' was envisioned as a critical commentary on the seedy commercialism of Vegas, whilst intending to have the player partake and fight for it. Confused commentary is confused.) One of the first main character models they teased was clearly just a cybernetic Harley Quinn from her Suicide Squad condition complete with an automatic weapon and jiggle boob physics. (classy) Another is the Samurai lady from the thumbnail, only with skin tight leather and no gun, for some reason. It's clear that Tencent think this is what's going to get butts in seats, so to speak, and thus this is where the effort went; but even then they've half assed it with overly-cluttered designs that lack the purpose, context and heart which everything in Cyberpunk 2077 was lovingly imbued with. If there is one thing I can give 'Code: Syn' over Cyberpunk 2077, though it hurts me to admit it, it's that 'Code: Syn' has cybernetic pets and that's pretty cool. Robot bear? Sign me up. (No really. I wouldn't pay 2 cents for this game.)
I could waste the next week of my life individually picking out every bum note from this reveal and spitting on it with gusto, but I'd rather just forget this travesty were ever referenced and go back to watching that Cyberpunk B-roll on a loop again. (I have a problem. Send help.) Let this serve as a learning moment for any company who feel the desire to ride a trend rather than pursue something they are passionate for and have ideas within; stop it, you're just wasting your own time and everyone else's. Unfortunately, morbidly curious fool that I am, I will be keeping a close eye on Cyberpunk dime-store-edition, so when it flops it's way into stores you can bet I'll be there to hiss from a distance. I suppose we can pick up on the extent of Tencent's disgrace on that day, until then.
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