In a video put together by GameSpot that explores the creation of various characters in the upcoming BioShock Infinite, creative director Ken Levine has admitted that characterising the religious fanatic who plays the role of antagonist has been a bit of a bumpy ride. In fact, a prior incarnation of Zachary Hale Comstock was so controversial that one “extremely religious” member of staff at the studio that created him almost quit in protest.
“There was a scene in the game at the end where there was a gentleman here, one of our artists, who got to a point in the game, played it, turned off BioShock, opened up his computer, opened Microsoft Word, and wrote a resignation letter it had offended him so much.”
Levine seems to be suggesting that this member of staff was offended because the notion of very strong religious belief was unfairly portrayed in Comstock, possibly because Levine had no personal experience with religious belief to draw on when creating the character. He talks about “ecstatic religious experience” as something religious leaders provide, but points out that he has no idea what that's like:
“I don't have a connection to it as a writer, and it's always hard when you try to write something that you have never felt. That would feel dishonest.”
Luckily, the member of staff, who Levine says is “a good guy and a talented guy”, didn't quit in the end. Instead, the two had a long conversation about Christianity, and Levine was able to come away from that with a better understanding of the notion of forgiveness that is the key theme in the New Testament. Thanks to that, Comstock will be a more believable and well-rounded character when the game launches for PS3, 360, and PC on March 26th.
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