Every new generation of consoles provides an opportunity for the gaming community to start fresh and turn over a new leaf, and upcoming PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X consoles are no different. In this brand new world of next generation gaming technology, it may be a good idea to push the typical envelope of game design further by including more creative, less violent ways for gamers to solve problems.
Video games and violence have always had a close relationship. Many of the best selling video games of all time are centered around combat as the primary form of player interactivity. Genres of the medium, such as first-person shooters or beat ’em ups, are defined by how they present violence, and the constant presence of violence within video games has lead to a great amount of controversy over the years. In the 1990s, video game rating systems like the ESRB were established largely in response to the intense level of violence in Mortal Kombat. But, there is much more to gaming than living out violent fantasies, and there are plenty of reasons why even violent games should include alternative, non-violent methods of playing.
The mot immediately obvious reason to include peaceful alternatives in a violent game is to add gameplay variety. This is especially potent in RPGs where stats like speech, barter, or charisma are incredibly common. The ability for players to explore the game’s writing as a way to remove potential threats allows the strength of the game’s writing to shine through, and gives players who have already blasted their way through the game something new to appreciate. Fallout: New Vegas afforded this opportunity to the player quite frequently, including during the game’s final combat encounter, and it is one of the reasons why many Fallout fans consider that game to be one of the most well written entries in the Fallout series.
Why Non-Violent Video Games Are Important
Aside from adding a good dash of variety to the gameplay, non-lethal methods allow players to consume games from a different perspective. Interactivity is what sets video games apart as a medium. Even the most minor choices made by players tinge the way in which they experience the game’s narrative. The cutscene deaths of a brutally violent game like The Last of Us Part II may seem abundantly more striking if the player has spent a majority of their time sneaking around enemy encounters rather than eliminating any and all opposition. Players may certainly feel less affected by certain “canon” deaths if they’ve done the same or worse to dozens of AI enemies on the way to their destination. The player’s ability to shape the context of their character’s actions is incredibly powerful, and only becomes stronger and more enjoyable the more opportunities they are given to do this.
Finally, contrary to what one might think, adding non-lethal options to violent games can often ramp up the challenge. It may be easy to assume that violence encourages more open conflict, and therefore more danger, but in many games it’s the opposite. In stealth games like Dishonored for instance, every guard left alive is another guard who becomes a threat should the player be discovered. Properly exploring all of the game’s environments without slaughtering a single enemy requires a great amount of planning and know-how. It’s also more than likely that players will have to go through multiple attempts in order to thoroughly non-lethal a stealth section.
Upcoming games like Cyberpunk 2077 are set to show how violence isn’t always a necessity in the world of games. A game world can be gritty, brutal and exciting without the player firing a single bullet or swinging a sword. In the end, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X games would benefit greatly from integrating more non-violent gameplay options. It adds to their variety, increases their narrative depth and makes them more challenging puzzles to solve. Video games may be a safe way to explore violence, but the medium shouldn’t necessarily be married to the concept.
