Sarif Incident

Sarif Incident outlines the broader history leading up to Deus Ex: Mankind Divided. Before Human Revolution, advances in biotechnology created social divides between augmented humans and normal people. It notes that during Human Revolution, the Illuminati planned to place limitations on augmented people with a biochip, which was opposed by Adam Jensen, then chief of security at Sarif Industries.

Quick Facts

Year: 2027
Primary target: Adam Jensen
Key figure: David Sarif

Lore & Background

The source establishes that prior to Human Revolution, biotechnology and cybernetics led to 'augmentations,' artificial organs enhancing human performance. These required Neuropozyne, a scarce drug preventing rejection, creating divides between 'augs' and normal humans. During Human Revolution, the Illuminati planned to use a biochip to limit augmented people. Adam Jensen, chief of security at Sarif Industries, opposed this after an attack on his employers critically injured him.

He was heavily augmented following this event. Hugh Darrow, an Illuminati member, subverted the Illuminati's plan by broadcasting a signal from the Arctic research base Panchaea that drove anyone with the biochip insane. This mass chaos became known as the Aug Incident. Jensen stopped the signal but had to choose between supporting factions or destroying Panchaea.

Regardless of his choice, Panchaea was destroyed due to damage from the Aug Incident. The resulting social trauma and Illuminati manipulation caused augmented people to be stigmatized, leading to a 'mechanical apartheid' by 2029.

Reader's Guide

It details that Mankind Divided features exploration and combat connected to Prague, with quests granting experience and Praxis Kits for customization. Players can complete Breach, a cyberspace challenge mode released later as a standalone product. The text explains that conversations have variety, with options affecting story outcomes, and a 'social' augmentation helps read NPC expressions. It notes that non-lethal and lethal weapons can be modified with salvaged parts, and hacking involves minigames for static devices or security robots. Production began after Human Revolution's expansion The Missing Link, aiming to address criticism of the previous game by rebuilding the engine from scratch.

Did You Know?

Adam Jensen possesses a unique genetic trait allowing him to use augmentations without Neuropozyne, placing him in a middle ground between humans and augmented people.
Mankind Divided was released for Windows, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4 in August 2016, with Linux and macOS versions following in 2016 and 2017 respectively.
The game's Breach mode features a surreal, polygonal graphic style distinct from the main campaign's realism.
As of 2026, no subsequent Deus Ex games have been produced following Mankind Divided.