The actions of our security services have always been controversial, even more so in the last few years. A James Bond-style action/comedy could ignore all this (as the movies do) and still be a lot of fun and a very good game, but as games offer choices that movie-goers don't get, I'd love to see some of these issues tackled. For example, do you carry out torture (or turn a blind eye to others doing so) if you feel the information you might get is valuable or urgently needed? Do you use overseas facilities like Guantanamo to do things not countenanced under the laws of the society you're trying to protect? Do you refuse to pay money to bad people for good information because it's morally easier for you? Can you tackle these issues and still make a game fun?

I imagine there will be a plethora of choices to be made. How extensive / interconnected they are remains to be seen.

Who cares for a GAME?! Sorry that sounds like a youtube comment...

I wanted to start a separate thread on this from the Ratings thread.

 

Basically, one of the reasons I put off buying Vampire: Bloodlines for so many years was the perception that it would be an immoral game with no options for the chance of moral behaviour.

 

In this regard, where does AP stand?

 

Is it morally ambiguous, but offers moral stances and choices to those who actively seek them out?

Is it morally ambiguous, offering evil and lesser evil?

Is it good vs evil?

Is it good vs evil but you get to choose which side?

 

EDIT: Oops, just realised SteveThaiBin already made a thread about moral choices. Still, the material seems independent enough to stand as a separate thread.

Edited March 14, 200817 yr by Krezack

Clarification: Who cares about morals in a game?!

Who cares about morals in a game?! Oh sorry that sounds like a youtube comment...

A modern real-world setting is a wonderful opportunity to move decisively away from the simple lightside/darkside spectrum and towards a more complex exploration of ethics in the kinds of activities 'spies' engage in. The press release does say "the decisions made and actions taken in each mission will ultimately transform the type of secret agent Michael Thorton will become.", but this might just refer to the force/stealth/tech paths, I'm not sure. Nevertheless, I think there are some exciting possibilities here that play to Obsidian's strengths in storytelling.

Any person who actually role-plays a character would care about the moral choices that could be made.

HaHaHaHa. I do care, yes. I always liked to be "light side". It'll be quite different in a spy setting.