The only good orc is a dead orc: does playing good or evil monster races influence ethnocentrism in real life? A brief report

Abstract

Does killing orcs in fantasy games make people feel racist toward other people in real life? Recent controversies within role-playing games have focused on whether playing with inherently evil monster races increases ethnocentrism in real life. This has led some game makers to change the content of their games away from themes of good humans, elves, and dwarves fighting evil monster races, to themes of moral ambiguity where any race can be good or evil. This has also resulted in pushbacks from some players who claim these efforts cater to politically left narratives on race and identity that are themselves harmful. For the current study, the belief that fighting against evil orcs contributes to racist attitudes was tested with a sample of 102 young adults. Participants were randomized to play a video game with either inherently evil orcs, or those that were morally neutral. Participants were then tested with regard to ethnocentrism. No evidence emerged that playing in a game with evil orcs increased ethnocentrism. This evidence finds that causal concerns about role-playing games with evil monsters may be misplaced.