BioShock Infinite contains some heavy religious themes, and after going over feedback and discussing some things with his team, creative director Ken Levine came to the conclusion that it would be best to change one of the game's characters.
In an interview with Official PlayStation Magazine, Levine explained the change, saying:
I had some very valuable conversations. One of the characters in the game was highly altered based upon some very interesting conversations I had with people on the team who came from a very religious background, and I was able to understand they were kind of upset about something.What I said to them was, ‘I’m not going to change anything to get your approval, but I think I understand what you’re saying and I think I can do something that’s going to make the story better, based on what you said.
So I did that, and I’m grateful for them bringing in their perspective. The last thing I wanted to do was change something because it offends somebody, but the thing they pointed out was making it a lesser story.
Levine has made it clear that he isn't afraid of offending people, so long as it serves a purpose in delivering upon his artistic vision. The reason he made this change was not to appeal to those who may be offended but to preserve the story he wants to tell.
“I think people first saw it and thought it was a game about the tea party in America, then they saw it as a game about the labourer movement. Now people are going to think it’s a game about religion,” he added. “It’s about patriotism, it’s about all those things but I think we keep larger meanings a little closer to our vest.”
[Via]
