Really, the player’s role in the game narrative is very similar to how the Outsider must see things:

First of all we are outsiders to the game’s world. Its rules and limitations are meaningless for us.

Then we get to control the two playable characters almost at the same time the Outsider appears/reappears in their lives. We start to control them, to make choices for them, to choose their powers and behavior, often depending on our knowledge of character’s possible futures. We see the world from the eyes of the protagonists, but we do not understand them fully – we do not know their pasts, their thoughts and even their motivations sometimes.

Plus we also are there for fun. We play, because we find it interesting.

The Outsider’s dikeish demeanor is very recognizable in the Internet’s collective unconscious. If you got a bunch of gamers decide on some character’s fate, said character would probably end up terribly broken, conflicted and mentally damaged.

We, players, give to the characters the ultimate power – the power of multiple tries (save-load). When Corvo meets Daud, he wins, no matter how good Daud is – because Corvo is favored by the Outsider in-game and because we can try as long as we need outside of the game world. Granny Rags too is unkillable until we burn her cameo – so those, who are on the good side of the Outsider, do really have more than one “life”.

I do not think, of course, that my idea is consistent with the lore or even sane, but I’ve thought that it’s an interesting interpretation.

That is a very eloquent and interesting anolysis optimist .

Perhaps someone should tweet Harvey Smith and ask him if there's any truth to this, I'd like to know if all this was deliberate.

Oh, hi! It seems that we are again the only two "whalers" free from assignment on this fine colourful evening in the Flooded District.

Well, I'm too shy to try that. Plus I do not have twitter. Maybe I'll try later, but I doubt it. >< Either way, big part of a work of art always belong to a reader. ><

I believe that the primary function of the Outsider figure, besides being explanation for protagonist's supernatural powers, is to remind about the consequences of the player’s action. He is supposed to be always watching, after all.

Much is unclear about him. I guess he is supposed to round up every type of walkthrough with a suitable ending, so he is made equally supporting of all the playstyles. Though I used to think that he supported non-lethal ways more. Not so sure now…

The guy is described as neutral, but he is shady as hell. His artifacts have bad effect on people, and in The Knife of Dunwall he is openly displeased with Daud, even aggressive towards him. Despite seemingly ended story of Corvo, I find it hard to believe that the Outsider left him alone that easily.

At least with the Outsider mystery is justified.

Yes, I’ve seen some quiet forums, but here is deadly quiet. As if somebody went through here on his high-chaos playthrough…

It's not that important. Thanks for the thought, anyway,

I'll have you know that I'm recovering from social phobia and it didn't stop me from tweeting Harvey about this thread, so go out there and do something about your shyness.

I remember a guy from Bulgaria who was very active here a year ago, he had the answer to every question. Strifecross was his name, I think? What happened to him? It's odd that someone who seemed to be so involved in the community didn't stick around.

Same as the others I think; he dropped off the face of the earth without a word. He was slightly disappointed with Dishonored, but he knew just about everything about it pre-release.

I've also tweeted Harvey, although I suspect he'll just say "not telling". Some things are best left a mystery.

Thank you very much! Would you, please, post here his reply, if you get any?

Ah, no, I’m not very social, sure, but that’s more to do with the fact that I don’t understand or like or use twitter.

Yep, that’s strange. I, personally, do not think that I’ll snap out of fangerling over Dishonored that soon… And if he was that passionate about the game… Maybe people move to some dedicated Dishonored fan sites? Still suspicious – what about new people, who pick up the game later? The official forums are the logical place to start talking about the experience.

Thanks a lot! Well, if he deemed it worthy to answer, it'd be already interesting.

I think that there'll be some activity after The Brigmore Witches release.

Well, I guess you're right - Dishonored certainly is not TES in term of fanbase, but still this is the only official forum, and there're not that many places you can go to discuss this game. Your chances to find a dedicated fan on some general gaming site are pretty low. I'd want to argue about people not picking it up any more and nothing to discuss after a few runs, but I get your point. If there're such gamers, they are few and in-between. It's just... that there's a whole world, since this forum is official and international, so I thought that some people usually would be hanging out here,

I just can't read anything meaningful on twitter, cause the order tweets are placed in is soo strange.

Yep, definitely unintentional even if, maybe, recognized during the work on the game. Kudos for mentioning CHIM - thought about it all along.

Whoa, the Outsider really is meta - found a proof in the description of Harvey Smith's lecture on Tumblr: http://mugumugu.tumblr.com/post/49512960224/turnonred-went-to-the-dishonored-lecture-last

I'd argue that they're actually the majority. Skyrim player base: over 10 mln. Skyrim community poll: 3805 member(s) have cast votes.
Most people never feel the need to discuss games on internet forums. I played Dishonored and loved it, but I've written maybe 50 posts here. I don't know what it takes to grow a robust, longterm online community, but Dishonored apparently lacks it - multiplayer, modding, open world, all these traditional foundations? None are present.
This may change if sequels are made. People love complaining about changes.


So now we know.

Wrong wording on my part, sorry. I meant that there're few people who need to share something here, especially now.

New IP. not that much hype, not an FPS about US-marines saving the world, probably. Yes, new DLCs, sequel and, I guess, sales where Dishonored is discounted will bring here some people.

Bioshock lacks modding and, mostly, multiplayer too, but it is very popular and discussed. But, of course, Infinite is the third installment, and I do not know how the first one fared in regards to the fans’ attention.

Anyway, I'll stoically hang around for some time - do not know of any decent alternatives at the moment.

Now I'm curious about that lecture