Rockman (Mega Man)
Rock, a humanoid robot was created to be a lab assistant by the scientist Dr. Thomas Light in his discovery of reploids. Dr. Albert Wily, an old colleague of Dr. Light, rebels to follow his own ideals of technological revolution. Rock was converted into a fighting robot to defend the world from Dr. Wily's violent robotic threats, thus becoming Mega Man. Dr. Light and Dr. Wily continued to fight about their technological ideals which were eventually conveyed through the actions of their creations. This focuses on scientists’ views of morality and responsibility.
In the time depicted in the series, human civilization had technologically developed far greater that it has in today's society. Humanoid robots or super humans known as reploids have free will and similar thoughts to of humans. Humans and reploids work together in the business of mankind. In the classic Rockman series, the time period is set in the year 20XX, which in relation to today's time period isn't so far away. Robotics surpassed technology, in which creating more robots or reploids was more efficient rather than to create new technology.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Nintendo released one of their most popular products of gaming, the Nintendo Entertainment System [NES]. Such technological development in the computer entertainment business introduced fantasy, as well as scientific genres into themes of gaming. Rockman became one of the first games to feature science as a tool of conflict, as well as a sign of technological advancement in the near future. The theme of robotics over technology emphasize the ideal views of scientists creating the perfect human, or the perfected robot that looks and acts like a human.
This case study focuses on the conflict of recognition and morals in technological discoveries and experiments. Dr. Light is assumed to be the “good” scientist in views of an altruistic way of science for the betterment of mankind. Dr. Wily on the other hand is viewed as a “bad” scientist who thinks ruling the world will make people recognize his accomplishments without the help of Dr. Light.
Fujiwara, Tokuro. 15 December 1987. Rockman (TV). http://us.imdb.de/title/tt0186339/
Inafune, Keiji. 1987. Rockman Series. < http://www.capcom.co.jp/rockman/>
Megaman Series. Article ID:170424. 2004. INEX encyclopedia. accessed Apr 19, 2009. http://infao5501.ag5.mpi-sb.mpg.de:8080/topx/archive?link=Wikipedia-Lip6-2/170424.xml&style
This idea would be used for students to think about the next generation scientists. Technology can infuse biotechnology with computers, in which people can be transformed into superhumans. Would it be safe to create robots that have a mind of their own? What would happen if these machines become superior to humans? Can science go so far to create free-willed humanoid robots, known as reploids?