From the sacred rituals of online communities to the moral dilemmas of post-apocalyptic worlds, this section explores how games mirror — and shape — human psychology. Discover how cognition, emotion, identity, and storytelling collide in digital spaces, revealing what play can teach us about ourselves, our culture, and the worlds we build together.
The Moral Economy of Good Game Design
A deep dive into moral choice in game design, exploring how Scarlet Hollow, Lisa, Omori, and Pathologic use sacrifice and loss to create meaningful player decisions.
The Iterated Vengeance Dilemma: A Critical Analysis of Forgiveness, Trauma, and Humanizing the Enemy in The Last of Us Part II
This in-depth research paper analyses The Last of Us Part II through psychology, trauma theory, and game theory. Explore how narrative symmetry, empathy, and the iterated vengeance dilemma reveal the futility of revenge and the power of forgiveness in one of gaming’s most controversial stories.
The Painted World and the Price of Grief: Psychology at the End of Claire Obscur: Expedition 33
Explore the moral psychology of Claire Obscur: Expedition 33’s ending. From grief theory to AI ethics, discover how the choice between Maelle and Verso raises profound questions about illusion, truth, and the value of sentient life.
Lisa: The Painful and the Ethics of Ruin
Explore the brutal morality of Lisa: The Painful, an RPG that confronts trauma, addiction, and the ethics of survival in a world without redemption. A deep dive into guilt, control, and the cost of love.
Slay the Princess and the Ethics of Narrative Control
Explore the moral ambiguity and psychological depth of Slay the Princess, a surreal horror game that challenges player agency, ethical reasoning, and the illusion of choice.
The Moral Ambiguity of Video Game Piracy
Explore the moral complexities of video game piracy, from ethical dilemmas and corporate accountability to the vital role of game preservation.
Saving Ellie: The Ethics of Love, Duty and Sacrifice in The Last of Us
Explore the ethical dilemma at the heart of The Last of Us as Joel’s controversial decision to save Ellie is analyzed through deontology, utilitarianism, and virtue ethics. A deep dive into morality, love, and sacrifice in gaming
Slay the Princess: Morality, Identity, and Cosmic Existentialism
Dive into the psychological depths of Slay the Princess, analyzing its themes of morality, identity, and existentialism. Discover how this indie game challenges players with complex choices and a profound exploration of human perception and cosmic duality
Ethical and Psychological Implications of Brain Dances in Cyberpunk 2077
Discover the ethical dilemmas and psychological effects of Brain Dances in Cyberpunk 2077. Explore issues of privacy, addiction, empathy, and identity as virtual reality blurs the boundaries of reality and memory in the cyberpunk world.
The Power of Choice: How Video Games Shape Our Moral Compass
Explore how video games shape our moral compass, delving into the psychological mechanisms at play.
Psychological Themes in Life is Strange
Life is Strange, developed by Dontnod Entertainment, is a critically acclaimed episodic graphic adventure game that explores complex psychological themes through its narrative and character development. This article delves into the psychological aspects of Life is Strange, focusing on themes such as trauma, identity, morality, and the impact of choices. By examining these elements through the lens of psychological theory and research, we can gain a deeper understanding of how video games can effectively convey profound psychological experiences.
Ethical In-Game Purchases: A Case Study of Gwent
Gwent, a digital collectible card game developed by CD Projekt Red, provides an exemplary model of how in-game purchases can be handled respectfully and ethically. This article explores the mechanisms and strategies used by Gwent to ensure fair and respectful in-game purchasing, supported by peer-reviewed research on ethical game design and consumer behaviour.
Ethical Framework for In-Game Purchases
The framework outlined here encourages ethical in-game purchase systems that safeguard players from financial harm and addiction.
How Do Video Games Influence Moral Decision-Making?
Understanding how video games influence moral decision-making is a growing area of interest within psychology, as it sheds light on the broader implications of interactive media on human behaviour and cognition.