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Cited by 95Digital Games and MediaEthics, Aesthetics, and ArtEducational Games and Gamification

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 17 of the 17 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Ethically Notable Videogames: Moral Dilemmas and Gameplay

Open access
Zagal, José P.·2009·DiGRA Digital Library
DOI 10.26503/dl.v2009i1.362
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Abstract

In what ways can we use games to make moral demands of players and encouraging them to reflect on ethical issues?In this article we propose an ethically notable game as one that provides opportunities for encouraging ethical reasoning and reflection.Our analysis of the videogames Ultima IV, Manhunt, and Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn highlights the central role that moral dilemmas can play towards creating ethically notable games.We discuss the different ways that these are implemented, such as placing players in situations in which their understanding of an ethical system is challenged, or by creating moral tension between the player's goals and those posed by the narrative and the gameplay of a game.We conclude by noting some of the challenges of creating ethically notable games including ensuring that the ethical framework in a game is both discernable and consistent as well as ensuring that the dilemma is actually a moral one and that the player, rather than the game characters, is the one facing it.

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Research works printed but not linked: 6

  1. Bogost, I. Persuasive Games. The MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 2007.
  2. Dulin, R. (1997). "Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II: Review." Gamespot Retrieved March 17, 2009, from http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/action/jediknightdarkforces2/rev iew.html.
  3. Gowans, C. W. The Debate on Moral Dilemmas. Oxford University Press, City, 1987.
  4. McKee, H. A. and Porter, J. A. "Playing a Good Game: Ethical Issues in Researching MMOGs and Virtual Worlds". International Journal of Internet Research Ethics, 2, 1 2009).
  5. Pohl, K. Ethical Reflection and Involvement in Computer Games. Potsdam University Press, City, 2008.
  6. Sicart, M. The Banality of Simulated Evil. In Proceedings of the iEnter (Barcelona, Spain, 2008)

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Metadata

Authors
Zagal, J. P.
Affiliations
DePaul University (US)
Corresponding author
Zagal, José P.
ORCID
Zagal, José P.
Venue
DiGRA Digital Library
Publisher
Digitial Games Research Association DiGRA
Published
2009-01-01
Volume
5
ISSN
2342-9666
DOI
10.26503/dl.v2009i1.362
OpenAlex
W2097546648
Cited by
92
References
17
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 2
FWCI
8.32
Type
conference paper
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Digital Commons-DePaul (DePaul University) (submittedVersion)
  • Digital Games Research Association Conference
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Digital Games and Media
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Ethics, Aesthetics, and Art
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Educational Games and Gamification
Keywords
ethical dilemmas, video games, moral reasoning, gameplay, manhunt, ethical reflection

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