Following on from Arkane Studios’ surprising success withDishonored, its sequel aims to push the boundaries even further, expanding on many of the mystical and supernatural elements that helped make the original game a hit.
But does any of it have some degree of scientific foundation? We spoke with Professor David Reilly, head of Sydney University’s Quantum Nanoscience Laboratory, to find out.
First up: the supernatural powers shown off by returning favourite Corvo Attano and newcomer Emily Kaldwin. Could such abilities actually exist in real life? “I really think so,” says Reilly. “Right now we are at a special time in the development of many powerful technologies, especially in the area of quantum tech. We are just starting to understand how to harness the bizarre rules of nature laid out in the quantum world. That nature permits these phenomena – things like quantum entanglement – hints that one day we may use them. All technologies look like supernatural powers before we understand and harness them.”
So with the possibility of powers on the table, how about Corvo’s ability to ‘Blink’ to nearby destinations (acting as short-range teleportation)? “It has a sound basis in quantum mechanics,” explains Reilly. “In that context it is usually referred to as a means of reconstructing the quantum state of a particle or system. Recently, in nanoscale quantum devices, the term ‘teleportation’ has been used to describe the behaviour of particles that enter on one side and emerge the other. This is a consequence of the mathematics of topology.”
Sadly, however, we might still have to wait a little for time travel – at least outside the world of gaming and entertainment. “From the physics we understand today, it’s hard to see how time travel is possible,” says Reilly. “But we also know that we are yet to have a complete theory of quantum gravity and there may be indeed opportunities there – we’ll have to see what happens in theoretical physics in the coming decades. I would say that in the meantime, Hollywood is getting better. Interstellar was very well done. As to time travellers with us now, MIT in May 2005 hosted a time-traveller convention, a place and time where travellers could meet and reveal themselves. It was widely advertised. Nobody claimed to be from a different time, unfortunately.”
The nature of choice is also an element the Dishonored series places a great deal of focus on, as the gamer constantly decides between stealth and going in loud; between death and mercy. But how about our real lives? How much weight should we be placing on choices and the consequences they could have for our reality?
“Does free will exist?” Reilly teases. “Is it an illusion? How do our choices take us to the same or totally different outcomes? These philosophical questions have fascinated us since the dawn of time. Dishonored brings some of these ideas to life in a game that combines suspense, mystery, historic reference, drama and philosophy.”
Looking back at the scientific leaps Dishonored’s world has made, it’s obvious that these are both for better and for worse. We have to wonder, then, does Reilly fear what might be uncovered by pushing the discoveries of quantum science, or is every discovery a welcome one?
“Nearly all areas of science and engineering have this double-edged sword,” he replies easily. “Knowledge can be used for good or evil. Practically, I don’t know too many scientists who fear that which is yet to be discovered. It is more a deep fascination and curiosity for what nature has waiting.”
Dishonored 2 is out Thursday November 10 on XBO, PS4 and PC.
