Video games have a unique ability to evoke strong emotions in players, especially when it comes to moral decision-making. Earlier this week, I found myself in a dilemma in Baldur’s Gate 3 when I mishandled a crucial conversation with Astarion, causing him to leave my party. In my initial article, I discussed how negative feelings in games can be a gift, allowing players to experience the full breadth of the game’s content rather than simply reloading saves to achieve the best outcomes.
However, after receiving a helpful tip from a colleague on how to rectify the situation and keep Astarion on my team, I couldn’t resist the urge to go back and make things right. This impulse to optimize choices for the most pleasant outcome is common among players, as many prefer to avoid making bad decisions in games. Developers often create content that can only be accessed by making morally questionable choices, yet only a small fraction of players actually explore these paths.
In my previous work as a freelancer, I delved into the differences in player behavior when it comes to morality in action games versus RPGs. While players may embrace villainous behavior in action games where the choices are more limited, RPG players tend to gravitate towards „good“ options, fearing the consequences of being morally ambiguous. The ability to make choices in games that have lasting consequences is a unique aspect of the medium that can elicit feelings of guilt and responsibility in players.
Interactive mediums like video games allow players to experience guilt in a way that other forms of art cannot. The choices we make in games can weigh heavily on our conscience, even though we know they are fictional and ultimately inconsequential. For some individuals, the tendency to overanalyze their decisions and feel remorse for unintended consequences can spill over into their real lives, reflecting a desire to be virtuous even in virtual worlds.
Despite the knowledge that our actions in games are not real, the moral vigilance that guides us in making ethical decisions in our daily lives can still influence how we approach virtual dilemmas. The internal struggle between wanting to explore all possible outcomes in a game and adhering to a personal code of ethics can create a tension that is unique to the gaming experience.
In the end, video games offer a safe space for players to explore moral ambiguity and confront their own values and beliefs. Whether we choose to make good choices or embrace our darker impulses, the interactive nature of games allows us to engage with complex moral dilemmas in a way that is both thought-provoking and emotionally impactful.