I was wondering if there were any games that featured (or even remotely contained) references to secret societies and their effects on people. I've been considering including a secret society in my game and having them influence the game world from the within the shadows. -Xy

I would assume that there are. Let's say there are -- how is your design decision affected thereby?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deus_ex

Deus ex is probably one of the most famous Illuminati-featuring games.
[edit] Beaten! ;)

Sorry for the delay in my response...

Hodgman & santonel -> Thanks for the reference. I'm going to do a little bit of 'research' to see how prolifically the illuminati was used and what means they accomplished(Now, where'd my controller go?).

Sloper -> Well, if I decide to use a secret society within the game structure, I figured I may be able to provide another means of accomplishing most story-line specific tasks and give the player more character defining options.

I was also considering making the story more of a dynamic one and making the struggle (and the story's end) dependant on who the character becomes during the course of the game. Including secret societies would aid in the mentioned dynamics.

On the flip side - this could cause a large story tree which may prove difficult to handle as a hobbyist. So I've also considered making the Rosicrucian society the antagonistic group of the game.

I'm on the fence with this decision. And Dues Ex may force my hand.

These are just thoughts....

-Xy

Most recently Assassin's creed used the Knights Templar in a very Illuminati sort of way.

I highly reccommend playing Deus Ex and not just reading the wikipedia spoiler (although im probably too late. There are a number of secret societies both real and fictional. The story is absolutely masterful. IIRC it was voted the best pc game ever but I don't have the link to back it up. Still it's an amazing game.

I read a little but quickly realized that a wiki glance-through wasn't going to immerse me in the story the way that the game would. Does the second Dues Ex also use a similar concept?

Sloper -> My apologies, many late nights have caused my head to be a little - 'hazy'. I realized that your question was based more on my misplaced post rather than actual design questions. This is better suited for the story forum.

-Xy

Yeah, Deus Ex: Invisible War also has the conspiracy/Illuminati themes, but in somewhat postmodern & cynical fashion. The first is IMO more grandiose & satisfying in its use of those elements (though also more of a straight/ordinary "superhero" story .. hope I'm not spoiling too much), and thus perhaps serves better as reference material.

The Metal Gear Solid series has groups that resemble them( The Patriots, Wisemen's Comitee).