Scholarly Discourse on the Visuality of Ethics in Gaming: An Opening Conversation

Abstract

This article offers perspectives into some of the key intersections between ethics in representation and game design by showcasing an extended ten-minute version of the presenters’ original video about the provocation of visual ethics in gaming, first shown at the summit ‘Re/Sponse-able Visual Ethics.’ This version particularly divulges further detail into the ludic and congruent real-world dynamics that come into play in coding and facilitating both the game’s system of rules and mechanics as well as the player’s immersion in its game world. Topics principally addressed included the relationship and function of violence in procedural-based game activity, and game developer intentions or responses to their chosen subjects and themes embedded into their game. While the video and its topics primarily aligned to the presenters’ respective disciplines, it is still a valuable platform to instigate new or expand existing avenues of research into the relationship of ethics and gaming.