At Digital Tech Explorer, we often delve into how iconic games reflect and comment on our world. It’s in this spirit that we explore a fascinating, albeit ironic, perspective: Elon Musk believes that the classic cyberpunk immersive sim Deus Ex is “one of the best games ever.” While a common sentiment among gamers, Musk’s adoration for the title reveals a significant lack of self-awareness that warrants deeper analysis. Despite being the world’s richest man and the owner of X, Musk frequently portrays himself as a heroic outsider challenging the status quo. His critiques of ‘the establishment’ typically surface when his immense fortune or platforming of controversial content are threatened. A prime example occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic, when Musk posted multiple tweets drawing parallels between public health measures and Deus Ex‘s plot—a narrative where a powerful billionaire weaponizes a man-made pandemic for political gain.
Ironically, Deus Ex is a game deeply interested in the powerful and the tools they use for control, often scrutinizing the ethics of transhumanism—an industry in which Musk himself is heavily invested. While Musk correctly identifies the villains within the game’s narrative, he consistently fails to recognize his own reflection in them. He seems to genuinely believe he is opposed to characters like the AI-obsessed billionaire antagonist Bob Page, rather than being a real-life, albeit less capable, version of him.
Deus Ex Writer Austin Grossman’s Direct Criticism of Musk
Unsurprisingly, Austin Grossman, who co-wrote Deus Ex, is far from a fan of Elon Musk‘s interpretation. “That kind of political weight and social satire is a real common thread between Deus Ex and Dishonored,” Grossman noted. “It is the thing that Elon Musk likes, creepily. It is creepily in Elon Musk’s worldview. So that may be its longest, worst legacy.”
Grossman finds Musk’s perspective not only bizarre but deeply flawed. “It’s bizarre that Elon Musk would not recognise where he actually sits in the Deus Ex universe,” he says, “because it is not in the JC Denton role.” Elaborating on this point in a previous interview, Grossman stated that “Musk plainly imagines he’s the JC Denton of this world—a plainspoken everyman, standing up to the elite. As is obvious to everyone, Musk is the one with power and he’s just pathologically incapable of honest introspection.”
The criticism becomes even more pointed as Grossman offers a stark comparison: “I would say Musk is like a Deus Ex villain, except that the franchise doesn’t have any villains as whiny and self-servingly delusional as he’s shown himself to be.” Aware of the potential backlash from directly criticizing such a public figure, Grossman has remarked with a touch of dark humor, “Honestly, I hope Elon Musk never Googles me, because I’ll then be murdered.”
Grossman’s sharp critique serves as a potent reminder that understanding the narratives woven into our digital experiences, especially those concerning power and control, requires genuine self-awareness and critical thought. As we at Digital Tech Explorer continue to navigate the complex interplay of technology, culture, and influential figures, such insights become invaluable for tech enthusiasts seeking to make informed decisions and truly stay ahead of trends. This deep dive into a classic game and a contemporary tech titan underscores the importance of scrutinizing the stories we tell ourselves about technology and our place within its evolving landscape.