Winning Hearts and Minds: Unlocking the Ethics of Trophies in Multiplayer Games

Abstract

An interdisciplinary and international roster of contributors explore the theory, design, and player practices surrounding video game reward systems, arguing for the importance of understanding trophies and achievements as a central aspect of video game design and play. As PlayStation Trophies, Xbox Achievements, and other similar built-in reward systems have become widespread in the video game landscape, this volume asks critical questions about how these systems affect the games we play and the communities that surround them. Through analyses of a range of video games, from well-known franchises likeCall of Dutyto overlooked sleeper hits likeNier Automataand even niche otome titles likeHak..