Abstract
New problems accompany new technologies, and there is a rapid change in society as a result of mobile technology, broadband internet and sophisticated games, which of course bring many benefits. However some people selfishly exploit these new technologies for personal gain to the detriment of others. Applying ethical theories to these new and emerging technologies from a legal, ethical and social point of view can provide some interesting insights. This paper surmises some issues arising from the games development industry, and applies theories from an ethical, societal, legal and moral point of view. Data was gathered from 42 computing students across various disciplines and their views/opinions on ethical issues of computer games are presented. The majority of these students were undeterred by the violent content in computer games, and considered aspects such as the graphics, mechanics and storyline as the most appealing aspects of computer games. However, many of them believed that moral and ethical standards should be taken into account by games developers, and by parents when purchasing games for their children.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Amin, J. (2012). Researchers Denounce Link Between Games and Violence. Available from: http://geek.pikimal.com/2012/04/09/researchers-denounce-link-between-games-and-violence/ [Accessed 20 April 2012]
Anderson, C. and Bushman, B. Effects of Violent Video Games on Aggressive Behavior, Aggressive Cognition, Aggressive Affect, Physiological Arousal, and Prosocial Behavior: A Meta-Analytic Review of the Scientific Literature. Psychological Science Vol 12 No 5 (2001). Available from: http://www.soc.iastate.edu/
Azar, B. Virtual violence. Researchers disagree about whether violent video games increase aggression. American Psychological Association Vol 41, No 11 (2010), page 38
Baase, S. A Gift of Fire: Social, Legal, and Ethical Issues for Computing and the Internet (3rd edition). Copyright © 2008 Pearson Books
Darlington, R. (2011) Submission to DCMS Communications Review. Available from: http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/.../CR2011-Darlington_Roger.rtf [Accessed 7 February 2012]
Domhoff, GW. (2005). The Class-Domination Theory of Power. Available from: http://www2.ucsc.edu/whorulesamerica/power/class_domination.html [Accessed 20 April 2012]
Endestad, T. and Torgersen, L. (2003), Computer games and violence: Is there really a connection? Digital Games Research Association. Available from: http://www.digra.org/dl/db/05163.54594 [Accessed 7 February 2012]
Ergin, L. (2012). Professional Code of Ethics in Software Engineering. Available from: http://www.slideshare.net/lemiorhan/professional-code-of-ethics-in-software-engineering [Accessed 20 April 2012]
Fox News (2008). Study Finds Solid Link Between Video-Game, Real-World Violence. Available from: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,446306,00.html [Accessed 20 April 2012]
Gardner, H. Frames of mind: The theory of multiple intelligences (10th edition). Copyright ©1983 Basic Books, NY, USA
Goldstein, J. (2005). Violent video games. In J.Raessens & J.Goldstein (Eds.), The handbook of computer game studies (pp. 341–358). Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press. Available from: http://theunshaven.rooms.cwal.net/Storage/Readings/Reading%2005%20-%20Violent%20Videogames%20%5BJeffrey%20Goldstein%5D.pdf [Accessed 20 April 2012]
IFCO (2007). IFCO bans Manhunt II. Available from: http://www.cearta.ie/2007/06/ifco-bans-manhunt-ii/ [Accessed 20 April 2012]
Kant, I. (2002) Online Guide to Ethics and Moral Philosophy: Kant’s Ethics. Available from: http://caae.phil.cmu.edu/Cavalier/80130/part1/sect4/Kant.html [Accessed 7 February 2012]
McCormick, M. (2001). Is it Wrong to Play Violent Video Games? Ethics and Information Technology 3(4) (2001) pp277–287
McIntyre, T.J. (2007). IT Law in Ireland. Available from: http://www.tjmcintyre.com/2007/06/first-computer-game-banned-in-ireland.html [Accessed 7 February 2012]
Office of the Attorney General. Number 22, Video Recordings Act, 1989. Irish Statute Book. Available from: http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1989/en/act/pub/0022/sec0007.html#sec7 [Accessed 7 February 2012]
Reilly, G. (2011). TD raises concerns over Call of Duty’s record sales. Available from: http://www.thejournal.ie/td-raises-concerns-over-call-of-dutys-record-sales-306155-Dec2011/ [Accessed 20 April 2012]
Rousseau, J.J. The Social Contract. Chapter 8: p.21. Copyright ©2004 Penguin Great Ideas, London, UK
Sawh, M. (2011), Ten video games banned around the world. Available from: http://www.t3.com/features/ten-video-games-banned-around-the-world-2 [Accessed 7 February 2012]
Schiesel, S. (2007). Courts Block Laws on Video Game Violence. Available from: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/21/arts/television/21vide.html?pagewanted=all [Accessed 7 February 2012]
Sicart, M. (2009). The Ethics of Computer Games. Cambridge: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Press. Available from: http://mitpress.mit.edu/books/chapters/0262012650chap1.pdf [Accessed 6 February 2012]
Waddington, D. Locating the wrongness in ultra-violent video games. Ethics and Information Technology. 9 (2007) pp121–128. Available from: http://concordia.academia.edu/DavidWaddington/Papers/538045/Locating_the_wrongness_in_ultra-violent_video_games [Accessed 6 February 2012]
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
About this article
Cite this article
McKelvey, N. Applying ethics to modern games development. Comput Game J 1, 39–50 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03392327
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03392327