Alexei comments on Rationality and Video Games - Less Wrong

6 Post author: Alexei 18 September 2011 07:26PM

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Comment author: Desrtopa 22 September 2011 05:03:32AM *  5 points [-]

One rationality related message that I've long wanted to see incorporated into video games...

While it's important to look for creative solutions to dilemmas, sometimes you really just have to shut up and multiply. I mostly follow RPGs, and both Eastern and Western types tend to reward idealism; whenever you're given the option to refuse to make a sacrifice, or to accept anything less than perfect achievement of all your goals, the refusal leaves your characters better off, no matter how risky a plan it requires them to enact. Your characters are never punished for taking million to one chances to achieve more complete victory.

Of course, the ability to succeed against long odds is part of what makes heroes interesting, but this doesn't mean reality will bend over backwards to accommodate you if you're sufficiently heroic, so I'd like to create a scenario which gets the message across to players, "No, there doesn't Have To Be Another Way, reality was never obligated to provide you with a single way in the first place, so don't be so quick to pass it up."

Unfortunately, I'm not a programmer in any capacity, but my sister's boyfriend is, and is studying to design games, and I've agreed to provide writing for a game in the event that we can find someone suitable who's willing to do the graphics.

If anyone else wants my writing services, I'd be happy to provide them.

Comment author: Alexei 22 September 2011 06:47:59PM 1 point [-]

Yeah, I like that message too. It'll take a lot of skill to implement it while keeping the game fun and not frustrating, since you'll be going very heavily against the grain.

Easiest way to do graphics is to find a freelancer. DeviantArt website is perfect for that.