Self-reflection and morality in critical games. Who is to be blamed for war?

• Main Author: Elisabeta Toma
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Bucharest 2015-06-01
• Series: Journal of Comparative Research in Anthropology and Sociology
• Subjects: Critical games; ethical gameplay; collaborative knowledge; procedural rhetoric
• Online Access: http://compaso.eu/wpd/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Compaso2015-61-Toma.pdf

‘This war of mine’ is a critical game depicting the war experience from a civilian’s perspective. As a game, it relies on its interactivity in order to offer the player an immersive experience. As a critical game, it challenges design conventions while also encouraging self-reflection. ‘This war of mine’ proposes interpretations of both real life and play in an ethical and realistic manner. We show the means it employs as a medium for sending a message: its content, rhetoric, presentation, as well as the debates that it stirs. Thus, as games are played in a cloud of comments and reviews, we also explore the collaborative process of moral learning in ‘This war of mine’ and we discuss the game’s efficiency as a medium in delivering an ethical gameplay experience.