#Funny bc whenever I play/watch Connor's chapters my attention falls away so fast

[lesbianwyllravengard]

okay so I keep seeing people say that Connor’s choice to either become deviant/remain machine is the biggest choice in the game but it occurred to me earlier that it’s actually completely dependent on Markus?

bc during Crossroads Connor’s conversation with Markus can boost his software instability if it’s too low to unlock the deviant option (side note: I don’t know if Connor’s conversation with North does the same? because you can’t choose her dialogue?) but ALSO in Night of the Soul if Markus shoots Connor that’s it he’s a machine again no more deviant Connor. So really Connor doesn’t have much of a choice at all

does this make sense at all?? idk (hope you’re having a good day! <3)

(I'm doing alright, thank you! <3)

And yes you're definitely right. I mean, of course, there's instances where no matter how much Markus boosts Connor's SI, he still can't deviate, but yes your point stands, and the same is with North, where everything she says raises Connor's SI. In both situations, if Connor does/says something machine like, his software instability goes down, but no matter what Markus or North say, it positively influences his SI. And yeah, if Markus shoots Connor in NotS, Connor comes back as a machine no matter what.

Connor's status as a machine or as a deviant is entirely dependent on other characters/the environment he's in. Sure, he can make choices that affect whether or not his Software Instability goes up or down, but those choices wouldn't be possible on his own. For example, he couldn't choose saving Hank over chasing Rupert if Hank wasn't there in the first place as someone who Connor could respect and regard. Connor wouldn't have been able to choose to spare the TRACIs if Echo hadn't explained to him why she'd killed the man in the first place. He wouldn't be able to spare Chloe if Kamski hadn't put the idea in his mind that she's living, if Hank hadn't called her a "nice girl", etc. etc. These things influence or trigger his empathy, and if he acts on them, it raises his instability. He wouldn't be able to do so on his own.

It's crazy to me that people actually believe his story could be standalone, or that he's somehow more important than Markus, the literal driver of the story. That anyone could think Connor's choice to remain machine or become a deviant is the "biggest choice" in the game is quite mind blowing to me. The biggest choice in the game is whether or not Markus chooses a Demonstration or a Revolution. That is the single most impactful choice in the game, the most influential choice, and the only choice that decides what kind of ending you get for every single character left. Connor's fate is irrelevant, because Markus can succeed without him. Markus can defeat him. The only thing Connor adds to the story is a different perspective to the journey to deviancy, as we see him from "birth" to "awakening".

I guess my point is, yes, you're right that Connor's choice to remain a machine or become deviant is heavily influenced by Markus - but also, it couldn't possibly be the biggest choice in the game, because his choice only affects his own fate, and at worst gives Markus an obstacle to overcome. It's silly to me that anyone would think that. Markus's decision for how they go about winning their freedom, however, is the only choice that impacts everyone, making that the biggest choice in the game.