Dishonored writer champions Corvo over "creepy" Gordon Freeman

Dishonored's lead writer has tempted the wrath of the Internet by daring to criticise Gordon Freeman, one of gaming's best-loved silent protagonists.

Dishonored's hero (or perhaps anti-hero) Corvo is silent, but while speaking to Kotaku, Arkane's Austin Grossman said he personally is not a fan of certain other beloved mute characters.

"I hate what Valve does with the silent protagonist. I find it incredibly awkward and really creepy. I find Gordon Freeman creepy as hell," he said of the Half-life lead.

"It's people talking at him, about him and sometimes even for him. He just happens to be in the middle of this whole thing," he added of Freeman's adventures.

In contrast, Grossman hopes his own creation, Corvo, is firmly embedded and participating in the narrative.

"The difference between Dishonored and how it works in Half-Life 2 is that it's a lot more personal. I think you get that involvement because the character has personal relationships with people from the beginning. And it's very clear that people have fucked with you in a very personal way," he said.

"I'm biased, of course, but I think Dishonored grips you much more viscerally, more emotionally."

Grossman said that Corvo's actions - stabbing people, mostly - make a kind of speech. That's not creepy at all, right?

Dishonored is out now in the US and launches in Europe and Australia this week.

Thanks, PC Gamer.