Ethical Decision Making in Game Design
Explore the intriguing world of ethical decision-making in game design, discussing the creation of ethical dilemmas in games, failed attempts at integrating ethical decisions, and successful implementations. Dive into the complexities and challenges of balancing moral imperatives in gaming experiences.
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Presentation Transcript
Horns of a Dilemma Tough Ethical Decisions through Game Design Eric Todd Founder, Orange Monkey Games erictodd@gmail.com
Discuss You chose to be here! Why is ethical decision making in games interesting to you?
Definition An ethical dilemma is a complex situation that often involves an apparent mental conflict between moral imperatives, in which to obey one would result in transgressing another. - Wikipedia Entry for Ethical Dilemma
Goal Discover how to reliably create ethical dilemmas in games! Play, Experimentation, Discussion, Bits of Theory Catalog modes of failure Discover conditions necessary for success
Discuss What is a game you ve played that tried to create an ethical dilemma but failed?
Discuss What is a game you ve played that tried to create an ethical dilemma but failed? What is a game you ve played that tried to create an ethical dilemma and succeeded?
Country Doctor As a new frontier doctor, treat your patients and keep your spouse alive! Patient Deck - 20 Available Treatments 2d4 2d6 2d8 2d10 1d20
Country Doctor As a new frontier doctor, treat your patients and keep your spouse alive! Patient Deck - 11 Patients Spouse Available Treatments 2d4 2d6 2d8 2d10 1d20
Country Doctor As a new frontier doctor, treat your patients and keep your spouse alive! Patient Deck - 11 Dead Patients Patients Cured Patients 3 Spouse Available Treatments 2d4 2d6 2d8 2d10 1d20
Country Doctor As a new frontier doctor, treat your patients and keep your spouse alive! Patient Deck - 11 Dead Patients 3 Patients Cured Patients 6 Spouse Available Treatments Last 0d4 0d6 0d8 0d10 0d20
Play! Two sets at each table Everyone try to play once
Challenge 1 Care more about the patients and spouse Constraints Decide what care means to you Make one design change Test early 20 minutes
Discuss What did you try that didn t work well?
Discuss What did you try that didn t work well? Why does the original game fail as a dilemma?
Theory Player must empathize with involved NPCs Jeb Haven s GRUVI model Grateful Relatable Useful Vulnerable Investment
The GRUVI Model: Creating Attachment Relatable - Transparent - Emotional - Predictable - Social Grateful - Thankful Reactions - Attributes Happiness - Humble - Proactive Useful - Powerful - Renewable - Adaptable - Resilient Virtual Agents Vulnerable - Mortal - Short Sighted - Hunted - Periodically Fragile Investment - Sacrifice - Future Potential - Support Structure - Multiple Cycles
Challenge 2a Add a third horn to the dilemma Constraints Multiple changes ok Test early 20 minutes
Discuss What was your third horn? What did you try that didn t work well? What did work?
Theory Primary ethical systems Generalized structure of ethical dilemmas Mechanical motivation vs Player values
Ethical Systems Virtue Ethics One s personal character and virtues define ethical behavior Deontological Ethics Ethical behavior is proper adherence to rules Consequentialism The consequences of action define ethical behavior
Structure of Ethical Dilemmas Conflict between ethics of action and ethics of outcome Good action bad outcome Bad action good outcome Conflict between ethical systems Good deontic action bad consequential outcome Good consequential action Bad virtue outcome Complicated by Imperfect information Omission vs Commission Harm vs Help Moral strictures and societal pressure
Mechanical Motivation vs Player Values Consider the spouse in Country Doctor Mechanics: Lose the spouse, lose the game Personal values: Losing spouse is heartbreaking Do mechanics help or hinder? May reinforce personal values. Positive synergy! May make decision to save her pragmatic Better if (mechanically) she s just another patient?
Challenge 2b Add a third horn to the dilemma Increase emotional intensity Constraints Revision of earlier game No constraints on design changes Test early 30 minutes
Beta Test One volunteer from each group goes to another group Teach the volunteer your game Watch them play Ask them to give feedback and LISTEN! 10 minutes
Discuss What are the necessary conditions for success?
Necessary and Sufficient? Empathize with subjects of dilemma Use techniques to humanize NPCs Clear choice between two or more options Provide conflict between ethical systems, or Show conflict within an ethical system Show consequences of choices Best to have some of randomness & predictability Social reflection of choices, personal and social
Take Aways Tough ethical decisions can be intentionally created Good dilemmas put two ethical systems in conflict or show inconsistences within one Discovered some of the necessary conditions Must empathize with subjects of dilemma Must present clear, conflicting options Must show consequences of player s choice Thank you all!! Contact me at: Eric Todd <erictodd@gmail.com>
