Five Aspects of Morality

One of my favorite games to play is Save the Sheriff. On the surface this game seems pretty simple but upon further examination it is evident that parts of the five aspects of morality are embedded in the game. The basic premise of the game is to save the sheriff by dodging several obstacles.

Harm/Care- This is probably one of the main aspects of morality present in this video game. One of the main and most used functions of the player is to kill the snakes and bandits that try to prevent them from advancing. There is definitely a kill or be killed mentality. If the player does not kill or effectively avoid opponents, than they will probably be killed by the bandits and snakes. A player will also gain points every time they kill which definitely adds an incentive to do harm. Care is not as prominent in this game other than in the overall goal of trying to save someone.

Fairness/reciprocity- There is definitely an aspect of reciprocity in this game. Throughout the game the player is given the option to lead a lost bird back to its home. This action would take time, effort, and put the player in more danger, but if the player completes this good deed they will gain a generous amount of points. The game rewards good deeds.

Ingroup/loyalty- There is really no in-group loyalty present in this game. The player works alone and never collaborates with anyone. The only sense of loyalty is towards the sheriff which as an absent character in the game.

Authority/respect- This aspect of morality is not present in the game. The player never encounters anyone who demands authority or respect. Bandits and wild animals are the only interaction available, and these characters are meant to be killed.

Purity/Sanctity- The premise of the game is pure. The main character is playing with the intention of saving a good person from bad people. The only people that the main character kills or hurts are bandits or animals that have the intention of killing first. Although the game may not appear pure because of all the killing, when observed on a deeper level it does have such a component. Even the aspect of rewarding good deeds, such as saving lost birds, reinforces the aspect of purity.

Based on the aspects of morality present in Save the Sheriff I would say that it is a game created for killers and achievers. There are many opportunities to kill opponent for the killers and several point recorded milestones for the achievers.

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