520 likes | 635 Vues
This overview delves into the essential role of ethics in video game development. With approximately 95% of teenage boys playing video games, developers must be aware of their influence on millions, especially minors. It explores the importance of good developer ethics, how to prevent immoral behavior, and contrasts ethical and unethical game designs. By examining alarming statistics and classic arguments, this discourse emphasizes the urgent need for modern game developers to incorporate ethical considerations, ensuring that gaming remains a fun and safe medium for all.
E N D
Computer-based Games: Developer Ethics By: Pedro Exposito
Overview: • Why is it necessary to consider ethical standards in videogames? • Why are good developer ethics important? • How can developers ensure that their games do not encourage immoral behavior? • Examples of unethical and ethical game design. • Classic arguments. • Conclusions. • References.
Why is there a need to consider ethical standards in videogames? • Advances in technology • Shift in gaming demographics • Lifelike simulation
General Statistics: • Approximately 95 % of teenage boys play videogames. • ~ 146 million gamers in the U.S. only • ~ 45 % of all gamers are under the age of 18 • ~ 65.7 million gamers in the U.S. are below 18 • 20 million gamers in the U.S. are 12 and under • 70 % of children aged 2 to 18 have access to videogames at home • M-rated games = fastest growing segment of the gaming industry • 1/3 of games purchased are M-rated
Alarming Statistics: • Federal Trade Commission’s Survey: 78 % of teens aged 13 to 16 were able to buy M-rated games from stores • Boys who play T or M-rated games for at least 40 minutes a day may witness over 180 incidents of aggression per day. • 78 percent of the violent action is shown up close. • In 98 % of the violent games surveyed, aggression was not punished properly. • Almost half of all violent video game segments featured humor. • In M-rated games, the player is more likely to be the aggressor.
Why are good developer ethics important? • Their work reaches millions of people. - Thousands of them are minors. • More interactive than other mediums of entertainment. • Violent games can lead kids to [3] - Develop aggressive scripts for social problem solving. - Lose sensitivity towards violence. • Gaming figures and children. - Unethical role models.
How can developersenforce good morals in virtual worlds? • Adopt a flexible ethical standard to follow in game development. - The Virtue Ethics Approach: good & bad consequences. • Online Gaming: Identify fraudulent users and punish them • Discourage cheating offline - Limited cheating & well-balanced difficulty modes • Stop hacking attempts • Fix glitches • Remove indirect advertising
Examples of Unethical Game Development • Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (Ps2/Xbox/PC game) • Unreal Tournament G.O.T.Y. Edition (PC game) • Just Cause 2 (Ps3/X360/PC game)
Examples of Ethical Game Development: - Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (PC game) - Fable (Xbox game)
Classic Arguments for Unethical Game Development • Ethics is up to the players. - The players did not make the game. • “It is just a game!” - Not for everyone though. • The chances of it affecting anyone are close to zero. - What if 10,000,000 people play it?
Conclusions: • The increase of violence and lack of ethics in current popular videogames is a problem that can affect modern society. • Modern game developers must incorporate ethics into game development in order to accomplish their industry’s true purpose. • Game developer’s job: To provide fun, unique, and safe entertainment for everyone.