Science Behind Assassin's Creed / does it really matter

[scishark]

We all know Assassin's Creed revolves around the concept of using a machine (the animus) to access Desmond's DNA and unlock his ancestors memories.. One might think of this is an absurd concept but actually there is some science behind it. This revolves around the concept of epigenetics, and I've written an article about it here:

http://scishark.com/2011/03/epigenetics/

I hope its an interesting read for you guys

Now the question is this, does real science really matter in games?

 

[Accountfailed]

of all the days to post this.

 

[Trolldor]

Science in Assassin's Creed is like the Science in Mass Effect:

Fucking Magic.

 

[Manicotti]

That's a ridiculously large jump from "the next generation having a slightly higher metabolism" to "reliving the specific memories of family members several centuries ago." The only thing holding up this comparison is the suspension of disbelief, since the whole claim relies on the reader not understanding the concepts of heredity. So yes, you could say there is "some science" behind Creed, in the same way that you can say Spider-Man is a realistic extrapolation of the dangers of genetic engineering.

Also, find a real editor. Good lord.

 

[Hectix777]

Science in Assassin's Creed is like the Science in Mass Effect:

Fucking Magic.

ITS NOT MAGIC, IT'S SPACE MAGIC YA NERF HERDER

 

[Irridium]

Science in Assassin's Creed is like the Science in Mass Effect:

Fucking Magic.

Well, at least Mass Effect tries. Well the first one did at least. And even then not by much... but still, it was better than most.

 

[evilstonermonkey]

First post: "I made a article. Read it. READ IT!"
I am sure this person is intending to be a productive member of this community.
(says the person whos been here a year and a half and has 30 posts)

 

[putowtin]

Science in Assassin's Creed is like the Science in Mass Effect:

Fucking Magic.

ITS NOT MAGIC, IT'S SPACE MAGIC YA NERF HERDER

who's scruffy lookin'?

(sorry couldn't resist!)

 

[Sarge034]

I thought the science in AC was you stick steel into people and they die......

OT- Cool story bra? Where is the conversation value here? Ask us if we agree or something.

 

[scishark]

I thought the science in AC was you stick steel into people and they die......

OT- Cool story bra? Where is the conversation value here? Ask us if we agree or something.

Indeed , hence this is the question

Now the question is this, does real science really matter in games?

 

[Goofguy]

It depends on the game and its setting. Now using your example of Assassin's Creed, I'm willing to suspend belief and realism in favor of the narrative and story. While I have no idea whether there is any validity in the science used in the story, it's kind of irrelevant to me when 80% of the game is spent running around the 1100s or 1400s, killing people in numerous ways.

An other example I like to consider is the Syfy show Eureka. Every episode is based around the 'monster of the week' premise with pseudo-complicated science and technology being the problem and solution each time. Do I know just what they are talking about every single episode? No. Does it make it any less entertaining? Nope. The characters and the whimsical approach of the show are enough to keep me a fan.

 

[Trolldor]

I thought the science in AC was you stick steel into people and they die......

OT- Cool story bra? Where is the conversation value here? Ask us if we agree or something.

Indeed , hence this is the question

Now the question is this, does real science really matter in games?

When a game is touted as Sci-Fi, it does to me, because Science Fiction was always about exploring society as is or could be through real science, not SCIENCE!(TM)

 

[Epslion.Bear]

My Anti Virus (Bullguard) flagged the page (it was scary - jut a big red screen with a small text box)

 

[Paksenarrion]

Science in Assassin's Creed is like the Science in Mass Effect:

Fucking Magic.

ITS NOT MAGIC, IT'S SPACE MAGIC YA NERF HERDER

Call it by its proper name, dagnabit!

Midichlorians.

 

[scishark]

My Anti Virus (Bullguard) flagged the page (it was scary - jut a big red screen with a small text box)

LOLLLL

Government conspiracies inside.. i mean virus detected!

 

[Sarge034]

I thought the science in AC was you stick steel into people and they die......

OT- Cool story bra? Where is the conversation value here? Ask us if we agree or something.

Indeed , hence this is the question

Now the question is this, does real science really matter in games?

I don't remember that question being there when I read it the first time.... but I have been medicated all this week and it was really early when I posted too, so that might have had something to do with it.

OT- If the game is advertising itself as a Sci-Fi anything I would expect it to make a little sense. I don't remember AC doing that though. It was advertised as a 14th century TPS (Third Person Shanker). Ha Ha, I thought that was funny.... yes I'm still medicated. I don't really remember what their advertising plan was, but I don't think it had to do with memory surfing with science.

 

[Kragg]

come on, science advice from a shark on april the first?!

 

[tzimize]

come on, science advice from a shark on april the first?!

HAH!

OT: Matter...? Well, not really. I dont expect my games to be 100% accurate representations of reality. In fact, its kind of the whole point that they are not.

Of course making a game that is based partly on science/historical facts/real stuff can make it more believable and more interesting. But it doesnt have to.

 

[Outright Villainy]

I thought the science in AC was you stick steel into people and they die......

OT- Cool story bra? Where is the conversation value here? Ask us if we agree or something.

Indeed , hence this is the question

Now the question is this, does real science really matter in games?

I would say no, so long as the in univere rules are consistent, I can give a lot of leeway to pseudo science. As long as it's not some Deus Ex Machine cure all plot fix, I'd be fine with it. Same for all science-fiction really.