In recent years, digital games have evolved into an entertainment form that is extensively debated and investigated. Particularly the moral issues surrounding this new medium are marked with high priority on the agenda of academic and political institutions. To date, morality in digital games is being studied in several disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, psychology, moral philosophy and human-computer studies. Findings remain fragmented and are hardly shared on an interdisciplinary level.

In this book we explore the wide range of moral issues that apply to digital game play from a multidisciplinary perspective. The book features contributions from scholars who evaluate the debate on violent games from a cultural, philosophical and theological point of view. From the perspective of media psychology, the attraction of virtual violence is examined, in addition to the cognitive processes underlying amoral gaming activities, such as taboo violation and cheating. Case studies include analyses of survival horror games and World War II games, and focus on specific titles, such as Fallout 3, Heavy Rain, Grand Theft Auto IV and America’s Army.

About the authors:

KAROLIEN POELS is an Assistant Professor of Strategic Communication at the University of Antwerp (Belgium) where she teaches communication management, consumer psychology and advertising research. Her gaming research focuses on digital game experience, player emotions, and in-game advertising. She has participated in many international gaming conferences and workshops and is a member of the executive board of DiGRA Flanders.

STEVEN MALLIET is Assistant Professor at the University of Antwerp, Department of Communication Studies (Belgium), and lecturer at the University College of Limburg (Belgium), where he teaches subjects such as media theory, new media theory and play/game design. He is a co-founder of the DiGRA Flanders research organisation.

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