Ethics
Ongoing coverage on Ethics.
Latest coverage
I’m an ethical muncher in The Blood of Dawnwalker, which means I’ve forced poor Coen to slurp up nine million rats
This article explores the ethical choices presented in the role-playing game The Blood of Dawnwalker, focusing on the protagonist Coen's vampiric diet. The author discusses their personal approach to making Coen's actions as morally palatable as possible, such as feeding on rats instead of humans, and how the game's lack of explicit judgment encourages player introspection on these choices.
CLARITY Act’s odds slide to 10% as Trump hosts Coinbase, Ripple and Wall Street exchanges
The odds of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act being signed into law have significantly decreased, with predictions now as low as 10%. This comes as President Donald Trump is set to host executives from major crypto exchanges like Coinbase and Ripple, alongside traditional Wall Street players and regulators, for a meeting on August 19th. The bill faces challenges due to disagreements over ethics, restrictions on government officials, and stablecoin rewards, with limited time remaining in the legislative calendar.
“A Moonshot”: Clarity Act Ethics Text Under White House Review as Senate Recess Closes In
The Clarity Act, a bill concerning cryptocurrency regulation, is facing a tight deadline for Senate review before a scheduled recess. Ethics language for the bill is currently under White House review, with Senator Thom Tillis stating that passage before the break would be a "moonshot" unless the Senate delays its departure. Despite industry support, the bill's progress is hindered by ongoing negotiations and procedural hurdles.
Iron Lung and Dusk creator says using generative AI in games is great if you want "a big neon sign for your…
Indie developer David Szymanski, known for Iron Lung and Dusk, expresses strong reservations about using generative AI in game development. He cites ethical concerns regarding plagiarism, environmental impact, and job security, and believes current AI tools produce subpar results and undermine the creative process by removing challenges that define an artist's voice.
Vampire Survivors studio Poncle is "reviewing" its Fortnite collaboration after the State of Unreal show and Epic's focus on generative AI
Vampire Survivors developer Poncle is reviewing its collaboration with Fortnite following Epic Games' showcase of generative AI tools in Unreal Engine. Poncle expressed concern over Epic's use of AI for asset creation, stating they would reassess the partnership. This comes amid ongoing ethical debates surrounding AI in game development, including its impact on artists and potential copyright issues.
Why so many game developers don't want to use generative AI
Many game developers express strong reservations about using generative AI, citing ethical concerns, environmental impact, copyright issues, and job security risks. Despite some executives championing AI as a tool for efficiency, a significant portion of the industry views it as unproven, potentially harmful to creativity, and undesirable by players.
Pope Leo calls for AI to serve humanity and not concentrate power
Pope Leo issued a 42,300-word encyclical warning about the dangers of artificial intelligence. He urged that AI should serve humanity and not lead to the concentration of power, highlighting concerns related to education, child safety, and weapons development.
Report: Microsoft Israel's general manager leaves amid alleged unethical use of Azure
Alon Haimovich, the general manager of Microsoft Israel, has reportedly left the company following an investigation into the alleged unethical use of Microsoft Azure services by the Israeli Ministry of Defense. The investigation, conducted by Microsoft's global management team, raised concerns about potential violations of the company's code of ethics and terms of use. Several other managers in Microsoft Israel's governance department have also departed, and the company has stated it ceased and disabled some Azure services for the Ministry of Defense in September.
Microsoft Israel boss leaves after investigation into whether IDF contracts broke Microsoft's code of ethics
Alon Haimovich, the general manager of Microsoft Israel, has departed following an internal investigation into the company's contracts with the Israeli Defense Forces' intelligence units. The investigation reportedly found breaches of Microsoft's code of ethics, extending beyond initial concerns about Unit 8200. This departure follows protests and boycotts against Microsoft's work with the IDF.
Gaming’s Violence Debate Hits Critical Mass as Players Question Bloodier Games
A viral Reddit comment sparked a debate about the increasing violence in video games, questioning if modern titles have become excessively gory. The discussion highlights how advancements in technology like ray tracing and VR enhance the visceral impact of in-game violence, prompting comparisons to classic media debates and raising ethical questions about mature storytelling and player experience.
Steam Faces Major Backlash Over War Crime Game That Slipped Through Content Filters
Steam is facing significant backlash for hosting the game "Ukrainian Warfare: Gostomel Heroes," which depicts events in locations where documented war crimes occurred during the ongoing conflict. The platform's content moderation system is criticized for allowing the game, which has been banned in Ukraine and Germany, while dismissing user reports as mere feedback. This controversy highlights issues of platform accountability and the handling of sensitive real-world events in gaming.
How J.K. Rowling’s Views on Trans Issues Have Influenced the Legacy of Harry Potter
J.K. Rowling's public statements on transgender issues have significantly impacted the perception and legacy of the Harry Potter franchise. Fans, actors like Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, and even bookstores have reevaluated their relationship with the Wizarding World due to Rowling's controversial views, leading to discussions about ethics, fandom, and the separation of art from its creator.
CoD Creator Targets ‘Business Owners’ During Monday Work Hours
Content creator RoloPoloTV sparked a debate by targeting business owners in Call of Duty during work hours, framing it as 'rage baiting.' While some see it as a clever tactic, others criticize it as unethical demographic trolling that normalizes harassment. The discussion highlights the evolving and potentially toxic nature of content creation strategies in the gaming community.
Tiktok refuses to axe racist AI-generated ads for Finji games
Developer and publisher Finji is facing a situation where TikTok is refusing to remove racist and sexist AI-generated advertisements for its games, despite the company not producing them. CEO Bekah Saltsman reported that TikTok's customer support acknowledged the issue but ultimately refused to take action, leading Finji to cease advertising on the platform.
Night in the Woods publisher Finji accuses TikTok of creating "racist, sexist" and uneditable GenAI ads for its games
Indie publisher Finji has accused TikTok of creating unauthorized, racist, sexist, and sexualized AI-generated advertisements for its games, including the upcoming Usual June. Finji claims they are unable to view or edit these ads and that TikTok's support team has been unhelpful in resolving the issue, despite acknowledging the unauthorized use of AI and misrepresentation of their characters.
Free itch.io game about AI-Antichrist XD
The indie game Proseya, described as being about an AI-Antichrist, has been shared by its creator. The article includes a link to gameplay footage and asks for positive comments, while also posing questions about how the game's mechanics reflect real-world discussions on AI ethics.
