Playing the bad guy in video games

[Major Robert Dump]

I cannot do it anymore. Not in Fallout-type RPGs, not in MMOs, and I lose immediate interest in a game where the main character is bad by default.

This is not to say I always play as an angel, but their is a huge difference between looking out for number one and being a meanie. In fact, even in games like Fallout 3, where you can level faster and get better loot if you just killed EVERYHTING, I found I cannot do it anymore.

Am I getting old? Am I going crazy? I actually feel guilty about something I do to a make-believe computer NPC, and get angry when I am nice to an NPC and they stabs me in the back or use my kindness to hurt others. I have never been the pull-the-wings-off-the-fly type of guy like some of the sociopaths here, nor have I ever been the type to look for a fight, but I am a text book sleazeball with a heart of gold, and I don't take crap off of people.

I don't understand. Am I dying? Could I be Jesus returned?

[Montmorency]

It's simple: kill them all.

If and when they murder you, the carnage stops.

[Vuk]

Play DX or Thief, you will be the good guy.

[Tuuvi]

I feel guilty doing bad things in video games too, I've never been able to be the bad guy. Sometimes I feel like I'm missing out, the thieves guild and dark brotherhood quests in Skyrim seem like some of the funnest ones.

[Montmorency]

Being "evil" is about having fun in spite of the boring worms who would restrain you.

Toy with them.

[Centurion1]

Nothing to do with age

I am never capable of being evil. I play like myself not perfect and a little Cold but inherently a decent person who struggles nOt to do the right thing.

[TinCow]

This is not to say I always play as an angel, but their is a huge difference between looking out for number one and being a meanie. In fact, even in games like Fallout 3, where you can level faster and get better loot if you just killed EVERYHTING, I found I cannot do it anymore.

I don't tend to play evil, but I don't specifically because I feel there's not enough of a reward for doing so. I disagree that you level faster and get better loot, in fact it seems to me that there's little to no difference in any game about the rewards for good or bad actions. That's my main problem. Playing selfishly should provide far more benefits than playing altruisticly, which is inherently supposed to be its own reward. I've never understood why every peasant in every village is willing to give some ultra-special family heirloom that has been passed down for generations to the first random guy who wanders along and clears out that nearby monster-infested cave. On top of that, I find that 'evil' is portrayed very poorly in most games. For some reason, few writers seem capable of understanding that there are forms of 'evil' that don't involve being an insulting psychopath who murders everyone who looks at him. The closest I've seen are the Mass Effect games, in which the 'evil' version is essentially just a jerk and a bully. I find that far more realistic than the evil options in most other games. Even the Sith don't slay every single person they come across and steal their stuff. There's such a thing as tact and intelligence in villainy, and it is sorely missing in gaming.

[Andres]

For some reason, few writers seem capable of understanding that there are forms of 'evil' that don't involve being an insulting psychopath who murders everyone who looks at him.

I love playing an insulting psychopath who muders everyone who looks at him

[Peasant Phill]

I always try to play the opportunist. Never outspokenly evil but also not bound by morals or ethics. I havened played a game (apart from strategy games) where that actually got me ahead like it does in real life (not saying I'm actualy that way in real life). It seems in most games you must be the paragon of good or the ultimate evil to get the most benefits. That's quite boring.

[Graphic]

I don't have a problem with playing a bad guy in games in theory, but the problem is the bad guy options are usually mustache-twirling, silent movie villain type evil instead of something more complex. If you want to be evil your only option is to basically be a completely psychotic sadist who drinks panda blood and stomps kittens, like some avatar of Khorne or a devil worshiper. Its all black and white.

Video game writing for the most part hasn't matured enough to allow for the player to play as a villain as complex as say Hans Landa.

[seireikhaan]

Usually, I play as the self-absorbed type of character. Usually ends up being a jerk, but a pragmatic one who will do the nice things if it's the best way to get something done. Usually I don't have a problem with doing "bad" things in video games, ala selling out children's souls to demons in Dragon Age. Video game is a video game. But there's a particular renegade option in Mass Effect 3 that I just don't think I could bring myself to do, regardless of it all being fictional, it's just that bad. Imo, anyways.

[phonicsmonkey]

I love playing an insulting psychopath who muders everyone who looks at him

Me too - first thing I did in FO3 was lolmurder everyone in Goodsprings with a tire iron

[Fragony]

Being the badguy is always so poorly motivated, there is never really a good reason to be evil, apart from being evil. Being the good guy never breaks the game for me.

[HopAlongBunny]

I find that 'evil' is portrayed very poorly in most games. For some reason, few writers seem capable of understanding that there are forms of 'evil' that don't involve being an insulting psychopath who murders everyone who looks at him.

This. The most chilling display of evil I have ever come across was in a Russian novel. (sorry no clue what it was) The character was a minor player interacting between the 2 major characters. All he ever did was facilitate and aid others...never harmed a fly. The results of all this kindness was to lead each of the others into a sort of moral wasteland, where of course they destroyed themselves. Changed my conception of what "evil" might look like...

[rory_20_uk]

Computer games are a great way of relieving stress for me (dealing with patients in 10 minute slots who often attend with 2 or more problems), and it is the one place where wanton mayhem is OK. No one minds if I hurl some nukes or pick off civilians with a sniper rifle.

[rajpoot]

Heh, I've never been able to play the bad guy in video-games either. It just not the same as playing a good samaritan, which gives this fuzzy feeling.

Although I guess it also depends a lot on the video game in question. In a well written game which can actually make you feel as though you are a part of the world, one gets more immersed so one simply plays as one would in RL. In a poorly written game it is easier to go against natural instincts.

Edit:

Although I do love going on rampages in GTA games.

But there's a particular renegade option in Mass Effect 3 that I just don't think I could bring myself to do, regardless of it all being fictional, it's just that bad. Imo, anyways.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Killing Mordin?

[Peasant Phill]

Try extra credits

There should be an episode in there about moral and ethics.

(sorry don't have acces to videos I'm at work)

[Vladimir]

Do you know what I liked best about Halo? Guilt-free killing. That said, I always felt bad playing multiplayer. Something about shooting your friends in the face with a shotgun never appealed to me.

[seireikhaan]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Killing Mordin?

110%.

[Monk]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Killing Mordin?

Anyone who takes that option is an absolute monster and probably tells young children that Santa Claus doesn't exist.