sergeantgiggles on 16/2/2004 at 23:35
Okay. We all know that deus ex machina means god from the machine, or mechanical god- a fitting description for JC Denton, the player character, for Helios, and for the monstrosity that would have been Bob Page, had JC not intervened. We also know that it is a literary and theatrical term referring to a powerful character introduced at the end of a work that wraps up all loose ends and provides a (generally) happy ending-this meaning was once used literally when a man representing a god would be lowered mechanically onto the stage. This meaning also is appropriate considering the three endings, in which JC is this kind of deus ex machina, righting the wrongs of the world for all time (assuming, of course that he does not choose all three and condemn the world to unified ammuntion and .22-short military pistols. :cheeky: )
I really cant understand why they would shorten the term to just deus ex-god from. It doesnt make any sense, except it sounds kind of cool and presents endless problems for those wishing to use the name of the game in conversation (do sex? I didnt know you played those kind of games!)
ZylonBane on 17/2/2004 at 00:21
Because it's catchier and easier to fit on a game box. Duh.
Chopping a familiar phrase or quotation down to the first few words is a perfectly ordinary practice for titles.
sergeantgiggles on 17/2/2004 at 00:27
Quote:
Chopping a familiar phrase or quotation down to the first few words is a perfectly ordinary practice for titles.
I cant think of any other examples, though my experience is limited...
ZylonBane on 17/2/2004 at 02:45
Well, there's the movie "Fools Rush In", released a few years back. Short form of "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread".
Too braindead right now to think of any other examples.
Our Newest Acolyte on 17/2/2004 at 18:55
... and on the same principle, one called "Where Angels Fear to Tread".
Navyhacker006 on 19/2/2004 at 14:41
Heh. Gives me a funny idea: Take a phrase (that hasn't already been cut up) and apply part of it to a movie. Then make a sequel with the second part of the phrase.
Be a great way to 'prove' that you were intending to make a sequel all along...
:)
==Navyhacker006
Must...kill...drug...lord..
edit: 1s/Takea/Take a /
DaBeast on 27/2/2004 at 17:59
It means miracle in the machine, since theplot revolves around the wondrous technology of the games world I think its a perfect title
Navyhacker006 on 28/2/2004 at 15:10
Not to be rude, GameBeast, but where did you get your information?
Last time I checked, 'Deus' is Latin for 'God'
Like they've said, it's short for Deus Ex Machina, which is/was a plot device used in Greek(?)/Roman theaters where the playwright needs to solve a problem that humans, by themselves, cannot solve, so he introduces a new character (using a crane) which represents one of the Roman/Greek gods, who can then solve the problem.
==Navyhacker006
"..."
Aerothorn on 28/2/2004 at 22:49
Considering that it explains right on the inside of the CD case what Deus Ex Machina means, there shouldn't be debate over it.
DaBeast on 29/2/2004 at 05:06
Quote:
Originally posted by Navyhacker006 Not to be rude, GameBeast, but where did you get your information?
Last time I checked, 'Deus' is Latin for 'God'
Like they've said, it's short for Deus Ex Machina, which is/was a plot device used in Greek(?)/Roman theaters where the playwright needs to solve a problem that humans, by themselves, cannot solve, so he introduces a new character (using a crane) which represents one of the Roman/Greek gods, who can then solve the problem.
==Navyhacker006
"..."
Blame Encarta Encyclopedia, Ichecked this out about 5 years ago in school. Nothing anyone has said is techically wrong. But apparently it was used as a bit of an everyday saying. Sailors of the old days would have said (according to encarta) Deus ex machina-(the miracle in the machine) refering to the wind blowing the sails(not quite a 6 cyclinder fuel injection,but hey..they were stupid.
I assumed that the creator of the deus ex story would use all meanings, i was just pointing out another.If im wrong then so is the award winning education program. The actual translations can be a bit funny I suppose a bit like chinese were one word could have lots of meanings depending on your tone of voice.
