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

Why are good developer ethics important?

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 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 developers enforce 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)

Anakin: “I won’t help a murderer like you.”

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.

References: [1] The Lion & Lamb Project. Children and Teens are Major Consumers of Adult-Rated Video Games. Retrieved June 6, 2010, from [2] The Lion & Lamb Project. Violence in Video Games: A Few Facts to Consider. Retrieved June 6, 2010, from [3] Smith, S. L., Lachlan, K., & Tamborini, R. (2003). Popular Video Games: Quantifying the Presentation of Violence and Its Context. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, [4] Kimppa, K. K., & Bissett, A. K. (2005). The Ethical Significance of Cheating in Online Computer Games. The Ethics of E-Games Vol. 4, [5] Takahashi, D. (2004). Ethics of Game Design (game developers talk about the effect of the games). Game Developer (2004): 14+. Retrieved May 30, 2010, from Academic OneFile database (A ). [6] Achievement Hunter (Director). (2010). Just Cause 2: Beached Whale Easter Egg [Motion Picture]. Rooster Teeth Productions, LLC. Retrieved June 11, 2010, from

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