As a long-time connoisseur of all things GTA, I can confidently say that Rockstar Games has always managed to push the boundaries of satire and immersion in their beloved franchise. From Cluckin’ Bell mocking KFC to Adam Rowney Jr.’s nod to Robert Downey Jr., it’s clear they have a knack for weaving real-life references into their fictional universe.
In terms of satire, not many excel like the Grand Theft Auto series of games by Rockstar. This long-standing franchise is recognized for its parody of real life, such as Cluckin’ Bell poking fun at KFC and Adam Rowney Jr.’s character being a wink to Robert Downey Jr. However, there have been instances where life has mirrored the art instead of the usual reverse situation.
Previously established is that Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) will take things a step further with its depiction of Miami, as hinted by the trailer which features elements like alligators in swimming pools, people dancing on cars, and references to Florida’s infamous Joker. Returning to Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V), it appears that the game may have unintentionally sparked a genuine cult following.
GTA V might’ve birthed a real-life Epsilon Program cult
In an interview with IGN, ex-Rockstar writer and gaming legend Lazlow Jones detailed the unsettling phone call he got from the genuine Epsilon Program cult. He mentioned that during the creation of GTA V, a woman left him a puzzling voicemail saying “We’re eager to learn more.”
“I’ve been hearing whispers about gamers unraveling the Epsilon Program mysteries by finding Easter eggs in GTA IV and its Lost and Damned DLC, creating their own in-game cult, so to speak. And guess what? I’m one of them! We’re not just playing a game here; we’re living it!” said Jones.
It appears he swiftly made his way to discuss matters with Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser, expressing, “This bizarre phone message I received…My initial idea was, perhaps we could invent a false religion and amass significant wealth by exploiting those seeking purpose in life.“
Despite the fact that satire has always been an integral aspect of GTA, Lazlow elaborated, “It’s fascinating to create satire because we were unapologetically direct about it. We established the Epsilon Program website way back in 2004, and the content on that site, in my opinion, is undeniably a parody of a modern-day, fictitious religion, which is primarily focused on making money.”
Instead of someone being part of the joke, they seemed to be genuine enthusiasts of it. The excitement and fear it provoked in me were overwhelming. Later on, Houser and Lazlow developed this concept even more, expanding the Epsilon Program.
Alongside creating entire missions centered on a fictitious cult, they also composed the Epsilon Tract scripture and concealed copies throughout the game. IGN has attempted to verify its authenticity, but so far, little proof of the Epsilon Program existing in 2024 has been found, leading some to speculate that it could have been a clever hoax.
Still, if Lazlow is convinced Epsilonists were out there and thriving once upon a time, it’s possible they still are. With the Epsilon Program continually being referenced in GTA Online, there’s a chance we could see its resurgence in GTA 6. Let’s pray to Kifflom that this bizarre Easter egg returns.
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2024-08-02 18:42