Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs Discussion Topic Part 3

[Peci]

Droog, here are my views of the ‘machine’ – thank you for asking

What is ‘a machine for pigs’? Well that is the most difficult question to ask. That is because I think they deliberately withhold information about the game events (which is good) and rather give teasing tips about the backstory. And the story can be anything ‘fantasic’ the designers want to tell us.

But we have something we can work with.

First of all, we know that Oswald has a meat processing plant. This was revealed in a screenshot and the first teaser letter. We know that Mr Mandus is rich. Christian symbolism of pigs refers to laziness and greed (all cultures don’t consider pigs bad). Also many have said that the name ‘Oswald Mandus’ refers to a poem named Ozymandias which central theme is the inevitable decline of all leaders, and of the empires they build, however mighty in their own time. It is also hinted (not said straight) the Oswald might be a bad man. Though the first letter is “heartfelt thanks” it is ominously hinted that Mr Mandus could be using the orphans for.. something. So the machine can be anything from purgatory or personal hell to something completely else. Based on earlier games, I believe Mandus has done some bad things, but he will be able to correct (some) of the mistakes he has done.

Now that the more profound ‘theories’ are said, I will introduce a more far-fetched one.

If we keep to the Mayan theory, perhaps the machine is a twisted, European steampunk-version of the Mayan Underworld. Here are some lines describing the Xibalba:

“The Mayan Underworld is a huge, complex city made up of houses in which people are tested. “ “On the road to Xibalba, there are rivers of scorpions, blood and pus to navigate and then a crossroads that offers bewildering choices. If these obstacles are successfully met, the Lords amuse themselves by humiliating and torturing the travelers before they pass along to further terrors and tests in at least six different "houses", each one designed either to kill or induce great suffering. It is not known if anyone actually passes all the tests or if all who enter Xibalba are doomed to wander forever in the underworld.

“…among the many were-animals and spirits (wayob) inhabiting the Underworld” ” the animal transformation involved is usually a common domestic or domesticated animal, but may also be a ghost or apparition”

Mayan religion even includes a story of “hero twins” who eventually defeated the Underworld