In this episode of Lore & Order, we explore morality in video games, and why so many players (ourselves included) struggle to commit to the “evil” playthrough. From obliterating Megaton in Fallout 3 to sabotaging the Genophage in Mass Effect 2, the option is there… so why do we so rarely take it?

We dive into the psychology behind player choice: empathy for fictional characters, discomfort with cruelty, and how the games we play might actually reflect and shape our real world values.

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Articles referenced in this episode:

'Why Is It So Hard to Be Evil in Video Games' - Simon Hill (2011): https://www.wired.com/story/moral-choices-in-video-games/

'From student to superhero: Situational primes shape future helping' - Leif D. Nelson, Michael I. Norton (2004): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022103104001088

'Automatic Influences of Priming on Prosocial Behavior' - Costanza Scaffidi Abbate, Stefano Ruggieria, Stefano Bocaa: https://ejop.psychopen.eu/index.php/ejop/article/view/603/603.html

In this first episode of Lore & Order, we explore the idea of wanderlust in gaming. That irresistible pull to explore, discover, and get lost in virtual worlds. From sprawling open-world adventures to quiet, unexpected moments of beauty, games have a unique ability to tap into our natural human curiosity.

But as we get older and play more and more games, the magic can fade. Worlds feel smaller. Mechanics feel familiar. That childlike sense of wonder isn’t quite as easy to find.

So what happens to our sense of wonder? And why do certain games, every now and then, manage to bring it rushing back?

If you’ve ever chased that feeling of getting lost in a game world, or ignored the main quest just to see what’s over the next hill, this one’s for you.

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