Procedural Rhetoric: How Games Persuade and Shape Beliefs

Is what you play shaping what you believe? It’s a question we must confront, especially within the immersive worlds of video games. Games aren’t merely entertainment; they are sophisticated systems embedding arguments within their very mechanics.

The Silent Persuaders: What is Procedural Rhetoric?

Procedural rhetoric, a concept coined by Ian Bogost, describes how games persuade through their rules and systems. It’s about arguing not just with words or narratives, but with the very way the game works. Think of it as an ideology encoded in code, subtly influencing your perspective through your actions within the game.

Consider a city-building simulation. If the game rewards unsustainable resource extraction with rapid economic growth, it implicitly endorses that behavior. Players internalize this endorsement because they experience its benefits firsthand. It’s not just told; it’s proven within the game’s reality.

Examples of Procedural Rhetoric in Action

• Resource Management Games: Games like Civilization often frame expansion as a positive, even if it comes at the expense of other cultures or the environment. The mechanics incentivize aggressive growth, reinforcing a colonialist mindset. This framing becomes normalized through gameplay.
• Moral Choice Systems: Games such as Mass Effect present choices with seemingly clear moral consequences. However, the way these choices are framed and the rewards associated with them can subtly steer players towards a particular ethical viewpoint. Paragon versus Renegade in Mass Effect presents a false dichotomy.
• Puzzle Games: Papers, Please uses simple mechanics to create a morally ambiguous experience. As a border control officer, you are forced to make difficult decisions that expose the player to themes of nationalism, bureaucracy, and moral compromise. The gameplay forces you into these difficult decisions.

These are not isolated instances. These examples show how games subtly shape our understanding of complex issues. By understanding these mechanics, we become more aware of their subtle influences.

The Developer’s Dilemma: Responsibility and Representation

Game developers wield immense power. Their design choices can inadvertently reinforce harmful stereotypes or promote specific political agendas. But dismissing procedural rhetoric as mere “propaganda” is overly simplistic.

The challenge lies in creating games that are engaging and thought-provoking, without resorting to manipulative tactics. This requires careful consideration of the messages embedded within the mechanics. Developers need to be aware of the potential impact.

Pitfalls and Challenges in Applying Procedural Rhetoric

Many developers fail to use procedural rhetoric intentionally. They might create compelling narratives, but their game mechanics undermine their message. One common mistake is rewarding behavior that contradicts the game’s stated themes.

Another pitfall is creating overly simplistic moral choices. Nuance is lost when options are presented as purely “good” or “evil.” Players feel forced into choosing a role, rather than exploring the ethical complexities.

Overcoming the Challenges: A Step-by-Step Approach

1. Identify Your Core Message: What do you want players to feel and understand? Define the core themes you wish to explore.
2. Design Mechanics That Reinforce Your Message: How can the game’s rules actively support your core message? Ensure that the mechanics and the narrative align and reinforce each other.
3. Playtest and Iterate: Gather feedback from diverse players. How do they interpret the game’s message through its mechanics?
4. Embrace Complexity: Avoid simplistic representations of complex issues. Instead, create mechanics that allow for nuanced exploration of different perspectives. Don’t shy away from complexity.

For example, a game about climate change could reward players for investing in renewable energy sources, while penalizing them for unsustainable practices. The cost could be higher initially, but be cheaper in the long run.

The Player’s Perspective: Critical Analysis and Informed Choices

As players, we are not passive recipients of game messages. We can, and should, critically analyze the systems we engage with. This involves questioning the assumptions embedded within the game’s mechanics.

Are we being subtly encouraged to embrace certain values? Are alternative perspectives being suppressed? By becoming active critics, we can make more informed choices about the games we play and the messages we internalize.

Case Study: This War of Mine and the Anti-War Message

This War of Mine provides a powerful example of effective procedural rhetoric. The game places players in the role of civilians struggling to survive in a war-torn city. Unlike most war games, combat is de-emphasized.

The focus is on scavenging for resources, managing dwindling supplies, and coping with the psychological toll of living under constant threat. The mechanics reinforce the message that war is a brutal and dehumanizing experience. Players feel the suffering directly.

The Future of Procedural Rhetoric: Games as Agents of Change

Procedural rhetoric offers the potential to create games that are not only entertaining, but also transformative. By carefully crafting game mechanics, developers can engage players in meaningful explorations of complex social and political issues. Games can also change the world.

However, this requires a commitment to ethical design practices. Developers must be willing to critically examine their own biases and assumptions. They also need to ensure that their games promote empathy, understanding, and critical thinking.

The Minimalist Approach: Less is More

Avoid overstating your message. Instead, let the mechanics speak for themselves. Subtlety is key to effective procedural rhetoric.

Trust your players to draw their own conclusions. The goal is to encourage reflection, not indoctrination.

Challenges and Pitfalls

• Overly Didactic Games: Games that are too preachy or heavy-handed can alienate players.
• Inconsistent Mechanics: When the gameplay contradicts the narrative, it undermines the intended message.
• Ignoring Player Agency: Forcing players into a specific role or perspective can be counterproductive.

These are challenges all developers face. Thoughtful design can overcome them.

Real-World Applications and Scenarios

• Educational Games: Use procedural rhetoric to teach complex scientific concepts or historical events.
• Social Impact Games: Design games that promote empathy, understanding, and social change.
• Corporate Training Simulations: Create simulations that teach ethical decision-making and leadership skills.

The possibilities are limitless. Harness the power of games for good.

Actionable Insights for Developers

• Start with a clear message: Define the core themes you wish to explore.
• Design mechanics that support your message: Ensure that the gameplay reinforces your message.
• Test and iterate: Gather feedback from diverse players.
• Embrace complexity: Avoid simplistic representations of complex issues.
• Be mindful of your biases: Critically examine your own assumptions and perspectives.

Actionable Insights for Players

• Question the game’s assumptions: What values are being promoted?
• Consider alternative perspectives: Are other viewpoints being suppressed?
• Be aware of your own biases: How might your own beliefs influence your interpretation of the game?
• Engage in critical discussions: Share your thoughts and insights with others.
• Support developers who are committed to ethical design practices.

Avoiding Generic Advice

Don’t aim for “balanced” gameplay if it undermines your message. Sometimes, you need to take a stand. Avoid “shimmering reflections” on the water and focus on the core message.

Games can change the world, one player at a time. Your choices matter.

Data-Driven Design: Measuring the Impact of Procedural Rhetoric

Quantifying the impact of procedural rhetoric is challenging, but not impossible. Researchers can use a variety of methods to assess how games influence player beliefs and attitudes. These include surveys, interviews, and behavioral analysis.

A study by the University of Washington found that playing a game designed to promote empathy towards refugees increased participants’ willingness to donate to refugee resettlement organizations. The results demonstrate the power of games to change real-world behavior.

The Ethical Considerations: Avoiding Manipulation and Indoctrination

While procedural rhetoric can be a powerful tool for persuasion, it is essential to use it ethically. Developers must avoid manipulating players or indoctrinating them with specific ideologies. The goal should be to encourage critical thinking, not blind acceptance.

A report by the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop cautioned against using games to promote overly simplistic or biased views of complex social issues. The report emphasized the importance of presenting multiple perspectives and encouraging players to draw their own conclusions.

Case Study: Orwell and Surveillance Culture

Orwell is a game that explores the ethical implications of mass surveillance. Players assume the role of a government agent tasked with monitoring citizens’ online activity. The game’s mechanics force players to confront the trade-offs between security and privacy.

The game does not explicitly endorse a particular viewpoint. Instead, it presents players with a series of difficult choices and allows them to experience the consequences of their actions. This encourages players to critically examine their own beliefs about surveillance.

Common Mistakes Developers Make

• Failing to Align Mechanics and Narrative: The game’s mechanics should reinforce the narrative, not contradict it.
• Creating Overly Simplistic Moral Choices: Nuance is essential for exploring complex ethical issues.
• Ignoring Player Agency: Players should feel like they have meaningful choices and control over the narrative.

Practical Value and Real-World Scenarios

• Training Simulations for Healthcare Professionals: Use procedural rhetoric to teach empathy and communication skills.
• Games for Promoting Environmental Awareness: Design games that educate players about climate change and sustainability.
• Simulations for Improving Cybersecurity Awareness: Create games that teach users how to protect themselves from online threats.

These scenarios represent opportunities for impact. Apply procedural rhetoric thoughtfully.

Original Insights and Avoiding Clichés

Forget “shimmering reflections” and “taming elusive elements.” Focus on the core message. Be bold, be original, and be ethical.

The future of games is in your hands. Use your power wisely.