Lore & Order: A Gaming Podcast

Epizode

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  Perfect Playthroughs: Are We Optimising the Fun Out of Video Games? 10.08.2026 41min

  Modern gaming gives us more information than ever before. Build guides, tier lists, walkthroughs, and optimisation tools promise to make us better players - but are they also taking away the experimentation and genuine discovery that made us fall in love with games in the first place?In this weeks episode of Lore & Order, we explore the rise of gaming's optimisation culture. From "best builds" and spoiler-filled guides to the psychology behind why our brains crave the most efficient path, we ask whether we're still playing games, or simply following someone else's instructions.We also unpack psychological ideas including Information Foraging Theory, Loss Aversion, Maximising vs Satisficing, and the Generation Effect - and what they can teach us about protecting the joy of discovery.Whether you've ever looked up a boss strategy before fighting it, Googled the "best ending," or spent hours perfecting an overpowered build, this episode is for you, and perhaps serves as a reminder that sometimes the most memorable gaming experiences are the ones nobody told us how to have.🎮 In this episode:Why games can feel like homework before you've even started playingThe psychology behind our obsession with optimisationWhy online communities create gaming "meta" culturesThe hidden cost of walkthroughs, tier lists and build guidesWhy discovering something yourself is more memorable than reading about itWhen optimisation genuinely improves games - and when it can get in the way📚 Episode Links:Information Foraging - Peter Pirolli & Stuart Card, 1999: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Peter-Pirolli/publication/229101074_Information_Foraging/links/02bfe50f098acc0ea8000000/Information-Foraging.pdfLoss Aversion, Behavioral Economics, 2024:https://www.behavioraleconomics.com/resources/mini-encyclopedia-of-be/loss-aversion/Maximizing versus satisficing: happiness is a matter of choice - Barry Schwartz, 2002:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12416921/Digital bonds: A gamers’ perspective on the role of online gaming communities in fostering social interaction and identity. Kostas Zervas & Kostas Maronitis, 2025:https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10126902251349297The Generation Effect, Jamie Clark, 2026:https://newsletter.jamieleeclark.com/p/the-generation-effect
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  Digital Tourism: How Video Games Inspire Real-World Curiosity 03.08.2026 49min

  What if one of gaming's greatest strengths isn't helping us escape the real world - but making us more curious about it?This week on Lore & Order, we're exploring how video games transform us into digital tourists and how they invite us to wander through breathtaking worlds inspired by real history, architecture, myths, cultures and landscapes.Whether you've found yourself wondering if a castle from a fantasy RPG was based on a real place, Googling Greek and Norse mythology after playing God of War, or recognising a real-world landmark because you explored it in a game first, you're not alone.Games don't just let us explore fictional worlds, they encourage us to ask questions about the real one.🎮 In this episode we discuss:What "digital tourism" actually meansHow Attention Restoration Theory helps explain our love of wandering virtual landscapesWhy authentic architecture, geography and culture make game worlds feel believableHow developers borrow from real-world history, myths and placesWhy games inspire us to learn more about different culturesGames that faithfully recreate historical locations and civilizationsHow games have inspired real-world tourism around the globeWhy video games may be one of the most underrated tools for cultural curiosity📚 Episode Links:Video Game-Inspired Tourism: A Synergistic Framework - Van Ha Luong & Aikaterini Manthiou (2026):https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0261517725001529What is Kaplan's Attention Restoration Theory (ART)? - Courtney E. Ackerman (2018):https://positivepsychology.com/attention-restoration-theory/Attention Restoration Theory: A Systematic Review of the Attention Restoration Potential of Exposure to Natural Environments - Heather Ohly et al. (2016):https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10937404.2016.1196155From Virtual to Physical: The Spillover Effects of Digital Games on Tourist Destinations - Shufeng Lei et al. (2026):https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0261517725002407📸 Follow us on Instagram & TikTok: @loreandorderpodcast
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  The Value of Video Games: Price, Ownership & What Games Are Really Worth 27.07.2026 51min

  Video games have never been more expensive... or have they?This week on Lore & Order, we're asking whether games really are becoming unaffordable - or whether we're measuring value the wrong way entirely.From the looming $130 AAA release of GTA VI, to the incredible cost-per-hour that games offer compared to movies, concerts, escape rooms and other entertainment, we unpack why gaming might actually be one of the best value for money hobbies around.But value isn't just about dollars and hours anymore.As the industry moves towards an increasingly digital future, we're also asking a much bigger question:When you buy a digital game... do you actually own it?🎮 In this episode we discuss:The difference between cost and valueWhy game prices have remained surprisingly consistent over the decadesWhy games are one of the highest-value forms of paid entertainment per hourWhy longer games aren't automatically better gamesThe hidden cost of entering gaming as a new playerAustralia's long history of paying more for games ("The Australia Tax")Why physical game sales are disappearingDigital licenses vs true ownershipWhat happens to resale, preservation and collecting in an all-digital future?Are we becoming more comfortable owning nothing?📚 Episode Links:The Entertainment Software Association - Data & Insights: https://www.theesa.com/data-insights/Newzoo - Global Games Market Report: https://newzoo.com/reports/global-games-market-reportCircana: Video Game Industry Performance & Market Research: https://www.circana.com/industries/video-gamesGST on imported services & digital products: https://softwaredevelopers.ato.gov.au/GSTintangibles?utm_source=chatgpt.comAB 2426: New California Law Requires Clear Licensing Disclosures for Digital Goods: https://www.gtlaw.com/en/insights/2024/12/ab-2426-new-california-law-requires-clear-licensing-disclosures-for-digital-goods📸 Follow us: Instagram & TikTok: @loreandorderpodcast
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  Backlogged: The Games We’ll Never Play 20.07.2026 46min

  How many games are sitting in your backlog right now?Ten? Fifty? Maybe hundreds?This week on Lore & Order, we're diving into one of gaming's most relatable problems: the dreaded and ever-growing backlog.So why do we keep buying games we'll probably never have time to play? Why do unfinished games make us feel so guilty? And why does grabbing an incredible bargain often feel just as satisfying as actually playing the game?Join us as we explore:🎮 When a collection becomes a backlog🧠 Why our brains love buying games for our "future selves"💸 The psychology behind sales, bargains, and FOMO📚 Why unfinished games create guilt (and why they linger in our minds)🕹️ Side Quest: A practical way to shrink your backlog without feeling like you're missing outSometimes the hardest part of gaming isn't choosing what to play. It's accepting that we'll never be able to play everything.🎮Episode Links:Your Brain Rewards You for Imagining the Future, Julia Weiler, 2026:https://neurosciencenews.com/mental-time-travel-dopamine-reward-30568/The Joint Effect of Framing and Anchoring on Internet Buyers' Decision-Making, Chin-Shan Wu & Fei-Fei Cheng, 2011:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1567422311000032The Zeigarnik Effect - Psychology Today, Gary Drevitch, 2025:https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/basics/zeigarnik-effectChoice Overload: A Conceptual Review and Meta-Analysis, Alexander C, Ulf B. & Joseph G. 2015:https://myscp.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1016/j.jcps.2014.08.002
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  100%: The Completionist's Conundrum 13.07.2026 50min

  Why does 99% completion somehow feel worse than 80%?Why can one missing collectible become more important than the final boss?And why do so many of us spend dozens of additional hours ticking off side quests, hunting trophies and achievements, and chasing that elusive 100%?In this episode of Lore & Order, we're exploring the psychology behind completionism in games. From tracking collectibles and platinum trophies, to the Zeigarnik Effect and our deeply human desire for closure, we unpack why games are so good at making us want to leave no stone unturned.Because maybe we're not just collecting digital items. Maybe we're collecting something much more meaningful.🎮Episode Links:Zeigarnik Effect - Gary Drevitch:https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/basics/zeigarnik-effectInterruption, recall and resumption: a meta-analysis of the Zeigarnik and Ovsiankina effects - R. Ghibellini & B. Meier:https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-025-05000-wThe Motivational Pull of Video Games: A Self-Determination Theory Approach - R. Ryan, S. Rigby, and A. Przybylski:https://selfdeterminationtheory.org/SDT/documents/2006_RyanRigbyPrzybylski_MandE.pdf
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  Home Sweet Home: Why We Love Building in Games 06.07.2026 44min

  Why do so many of us spend hours decorating houses, planting virtual gardens, and arranging furniture in games that no one else will ever see?This week on Lore & Order, we're exploring one of gaming's most universal habits: creating virtual spaces that feel like home.From building painstakingly elaborate Minecraft bases, curating Animal Crossing islands, and transforming Stardew Valley farms into our own personal sanctuaries, players have always found ways to leave their mark on virtual worlds.But why?Why does placing a painting on a wall feel meaningful? Why do we display swords, armour sets, fossils, and collectibles long after we've earned them? And why does a digital space start to genuinely feel like home?Join us as we explore the first game homes we ever built, the psychology behind "place attachment" and how we naturally link personal spaces to our identity, and perhaps, most importantly - what virtual homes can teach us about the real ones we live in.🎮Episode Links:Home is where the heart is: The effect of place of residence on place attachment and community participation - Charis E. Anton, & Carmen Lawrence:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272494414000954Is it a sense of autonomy, control, or attachment? Exploring the effects of in-game customization on game enjoyment. - Keunyeong Kim, et al.:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0747563215001090From Virtual Worlds to Real Places: A Journey Through Video Game Play, Flow, and Place Attachment. - Ismail Shaheer:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5768/7/4/99The Beauty of Life -William Morris, 1880:https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/collected-works-of-william-morris/beauty-of-life-1880/677CA3EAAD32B902F6172B65EF27F5B0
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  Breaking the Rules: The Games We Invent Ourselves 29.06.2026 39min

  What happens when players stop asking, "How am I supposed to play this game?" and start asking, "How else could I play it?".In this episode of Lore & Order, we explore one of the gaming communities most fascinating quirks: our tendency to ignore the rules we've been given and invent entirely new ones.From Pokémon Nuzlockes, Ironman runs, pacifist playthroughs and speedrunning, some of gaming's most memorable experiences weren't created by developers - they were created by the players.Together, we unpack the psychology of self-imposed challenges. Why risk creates unforgettable stories, how gaming communities continually reinvent the experiences developers create, and why modern studios are increasingly designing games with player-created rule-sets in mind.Because one of the greatest things about games isn't simply that they're interactive. It's that they invite us to make them our own.🎮Episode LinksNuzlocke University - The origins, rules and community behind Pokémon's most famous fan-created challenge:https://nuzlockeuniversity.ca/nuzlocke-rules/
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  Pocket Worlds: How Gaming Escaped the Lounge Room 22.06.2026 44min

  When was the last time you played a game outside of your house?On the train. At the airport. During your lunch break. Maybe even during a cheeky work poo.Gaming used to be something we did in a specific place. You sat down in front of a TV, turned on the console, and entered another world. Today, those worlds live inside our pockets.In this episode, we explore how gaming escaped the lounge room and became something we can access almost anywhere, anytime. From sneaking a Game Boy under the doona late at night to playing mobile games on smartphones, we unpack how portable gaming transformed not only where we play, but how we play.Along the way we discuss the rise of handheld consoles, the social magic of Pokémon battles with the link cable, the smartphone revolution that turned millions of non-gamers into gamers, and the psychology behind habit-forming game design like daily logins, streaks, and battle passes.Most importantly, we ask:When games are available everywhere, how do we make sure we're still choosing to play them intentionally?
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  Post Game Depression: The Strange Sadness of Finishing a Great Game 15.06.2026 50min

  Have you ever finished an incredible game, and instead of feeling a sense of accomplishment, you felt sadness?The music swells. The credits roll. Only to be left with this strange emptiness.You wanted to reach the ending. You spent dozens (sometimes hundreds) of hours building towards it, but when it finally arrived...you almost wish it hadn’t.In this episode of Lore & Order, we explore the curious phenomenon of post-game depression: why finishing a great game can leave us feeling unexpectedly hollow, and what that feeling reveals about stories, relationships, and the worlds we inhabit.Because we’re not just saying goodbye to a game. We’re saying goodbye to a life we briefly lived.🎮Articles referenced in this episode:Post-game depression scale - a new measure to capture players' experiences after finishing video games - K. Janowicz & P. Klimczyk:gamesresearchgate.net/publication/400076597_Post-game_depression_scale_-_a_new_measure_to_capture_players%27_experiences_after_finishing_video_gamesWhat is Narrative Transportation? - C. Vinney:https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-narrative-transportation-5217042What is post-game depression? A narrative enquiry - P. Klimcyzk:https://cyberpsychology.eu/article/view/20994
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  A Healthy Distraction: How Games Help Us Cope 08.06.2026 41min

  When life gets overwhelming, many of us instinctively reach for a controller. Whether it's before a big job interview, during a stressful week, while recovering from an illness, or simply after a rough day, games have a unique ability to quiet the noise and give our minds somewhere else to focus.In this episode of Lore & Order, we explore why games are such powerful tools for coping with stress, anxiety, pain, and uncertainty. We discuss the psychology of attention, flow state, and distraction, uncover fascinating historical examples of games being used to endure hardship, and examine the difference between healthy escapism and unhealthy avoidance.Along the way, we share personal stories of how gaming helped us through difficult periods, from major life transitions and medical recovery to anxiety, grief, and everyday stress.So come and get distracted with us - because sometimes distraction isn't something to feel guilty about. Sometimes, it's exactly what we need.🎮Articles referenced in this episode:Virtual “SnowWorld” Helps Burn Victims Cope with Extreme Pain - Laura Panjawi, 2017:https://www.rdworldonline.com/virtual-snowworld-helps-burn-victims-cope-with-extreme-pain/Preventing intrusive memories after trauma via a brief intervention involving Tetris computer game play in the emergency department - L. Iyadurai, et al. 2018:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28348380/Histories, Herodutus, 5th Century BC. Translated by G. C. Macaulay 1890Distraction with a hand-held video game reduces pediatric preoperative anxiety: Anuradha Patel, et al. 2006:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16972829/
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  The Hero Within: Silent vs Voiced Protagonists 01.06.2026 50min

  When you play a game, are you supposed to feel like yourself?Or are you supposed to feel like someone else?From silent heroes like Link and Pokémon trainers to iconic voiced characters like Geralt, Lara Croft, Kratos, and Commander Shepard, video games immerse us in very different ways depending on who we're controlling.In this episode of Lore & Order, we explore one of gaming's most fascinating design questions: Why do silent and voiced protagonists create such different emotional experiences?Because whether we're projecting ourselves onto a blank slate hero or stepping into the shoes of a fully realised character, games give us a unique opportunity to explore identity, empathy, and who we are.🎮Articles referenced in episode:The Psychology of Zelda: Linking Our World to the Legend of Zelda Series - Anthony BeanVirtual self-modeling: The effects of vicarious reinforcement and identification on exercise behaviors - J. Fox and J.N. Bailenson:https://vhil.stanford.edu/publications/medical/virtual-self-modeling-effects-vicarious-reinforcement-and-identification
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  The Age of Answers: The Death of Mystery in Modern Gaming 25.05.2026 58min

  Do you remember hearing rumours about secret characters, hidden endings, or Easter eggs in games, and not knowing if they were real?Before guides, datamining, YouTube breakdowns, and social media spoilers, mystery in gaming felt different. Secrets spread through school yards, fringe forums, and word of mouth. If you wanted answers, you had to explore, experiment, and get creative.In this episode of Lore & Order, we explore what happened to mystery in modern gaming, and why losing that sense of uncertainty may have changed the way we experience games forever.So join us as we reflect on why the unknown still matters in a world where we can access every answer instantly.🎮Articles referenced in Episode:The psychology and neuroscience of curiosity - Celeste Kidd, Benjamin Y Hayden:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4635443/Why we Love a good Mystery - Sam Goldstein Ph.D:https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/common-sense-science/202503/why-we-love-a-good-mystery?Curiousity and the Dynamics of Optimal Exploration - Franceso P, et al:https://www.cell.com/trends/cognitive-sciences/fulltext/S1364-6613%2824%2900028-7What is Intolerance of Uncertainty? - Olivia Guy-Evans:https://www.simplypsychology.org/intolerance-of-uncertainty.html
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  Nostalgia Therapy: Why We Replay Games 18.05.2026 48min

  Does hearing an old game soundtrack instantly transport you back in time?Can a loading screen, menu sound, or familiar world make you feel comforted, reminiscent...or even a little sad?In this episode of Lore & Order, we explore the power of nostalgia in gaming. Why certain games stay with us for decades, why revisiting them feels so meaningful, and what those experiences reveal about who we were - and who we’ve become.So join us for a round of Nostalgia Therapy. Because nostalgia in gaming isn’t just about replaying old favourites; It’s about reconnecting with a past version of yourself.Articles referenced in the episode:The untranslatable word that connects Wales - Lily Crossley-Baxter:https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20210214-the-welsh-word-you-cant-translateThe effect of a multi-week nostalgia intervention on well-being: Mechanisms and moderation - Layous, K., Kurtz, J. L., Wildschut, T., & Sedikides, C. (2022):https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2021-88177-001Nostalgia in video games - Nicholas David Bowman , Tim Wulf (2023):https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352250X22002652
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  From Controller to Compassion: How Games Build Empathy 11.05.2026 49min

  Can video games actually make us more empathetic?For decades, games - especially violent ones - have been accused of making people more aggressive, isolated, and emotionally disconnected. But what if we’ve been looking at games the wrong way?In this episode of Lore & Order, we explore how video games can become powerful empathy building machines: helping us understand other perspectives, connect emotionally with people unlike ourselves, and experience stories in ways no other medium can.Because games don’t just show us someone else’s struggles. They let us live them.Articles referenced in this episode:Moral Combat: Why the War on Violent Video Games Is Wrong - Patrick M. Markey, and Christopher J. Ferguson:https://www.amazon.com.au/Moral-Combat-Violent-Video-Games-ebook/dp/B01N76VRLMAmerican Psychological Association: Resolution on violent video games:https://www.apa.org/about/policy/resolution-violent-video-games.pdfEmpathy, Attitudes, and Action: Can Feeling for a Member of a Stigmatized Group Motivate One to Help the Group? C. Daniel Batson, Johee Chang, Ryan Orr, and Jennifer Rowland:https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/014616702237647Jane McGonigal - Super Better. Find links to all her work at:https://janemcgonigal.com/Gaming can be a machine for empathy - Dr. Wajeehah Aayeshah:https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/gaming-can-be-a-machine-for-empathy
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  No Problem: How Video Games Make Us Expert Problem-Solvers 04.05.2026 49min

  What if every game we’ve ever played has been quietly training us to solve real-life problems?In this episode of Lore & Order, we explore how video games shape the way we think. How they teach us to analyse challenges, adapt quickly, and find solutions under pressure.From puzzle solving, strategising, and fast-paced decision-making, games constantly put us in situations where failure isn’t 'Game Over' - it’s just part of the process.But how does that translate into real life?Join us as break down what problem-solving really is, and how gaming mindsets can carry over into our everyday experiences. We also reflect on the games that helped shape the way that we approach challenges today.Follow us on instagram at @loreandorderpodcastArticles referenced in this episode:Measuring Problem Solving Skills in Portal 2 - Valerie J. Shute and Lubin Wang:https://myweb.fsu.edu/vshute/pdf/problemsolvingportal.pdfA Motivational Model of Video Game Engagement - Andrew K. Przybylski, Richard M. and Ryan, C. Scott Rigby:https://selfdeterminationtheory.org/SDT/documents/2010_PrzybylskiRigbyRyan_ROGP.pdf
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  FOMO in Gaming: Playing What Everyone Else is Playing 27.04.2026 57min

  Have you ever stuck with a game you weren’t enjoying just because everyone else said it was incredible?In this episode of Lore & Order, we unpack the quiet pressure to play what’s popular, and why so many of us push through games that simply aren’t for us.From 'Game of the Year' hype to viral gaming moments, modern gaming is more connected than ever. But that connection comes with a trade-off: the fear that we’re missing out.We explore:The psychology behind why we feel pressured to play what everyone else is playing Chasing “masterpieces” vs chasing the momentThe power of reviews, and why we trust consensus over our own tasteThe "canon" gaming experienceGiving in to the hype or waiting for a better experience And reclaiming our tasteWe also look at the upside of FOMO; how it can expand our taste, introduce us to new genres, and occasionally lead us to something we never expected to love.So join us as we break down all things FOMO in gaming!
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  The Long Wait: Modern Game Development and What It's Done to Us 20.04.2026 46min

  Modern video games are bigger, more detailed, and more ambitious than ever before. But that ambition comes at a cost.In this episode of Lore & Order, we explore how game development has stretched from quick, iterative cycles into decade-long productions - and how that shift has quietly changed our relationship with games.We reflect on growing up in an era where entire trilogies released within a few formative years, compared to today, where a single sequel can take so long that we’re different people by the time it arrives.So what happened?Join us as we break it down!Articles referenced in this episode:'Why Most People Don't Finish Video Games' - Blake Snow:https://blakesnow.com/why-most-people-dont-finish-video-games/
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  Game Over: Why Failure Feels Better in Games 13.04.2026 42min

  In this episode of Lore & Order, we explore a strange phenomenon. Why we often struggle with failure in real life, but when it comes to games...we kind of enjoy it?From Dark Souls bosses to repeated deaths in punishing platformers, failure is a constant in gaming, yet we keep coming back for more of it.We break down what makes failure in games feel so different from real life. From fast feedback loops and re-spawn mechanics, to the psychology of challenge, games create a space where failure isn’t something to fear; it’s part of the fun.So why does failing in a game feel motivating, while failing in real life can feel overwhelming?And what can we take from games to build a healthier relationship with failure outside of them?🎮 This week’s side quest: View your next real life failure through a gaming lens, and treat it as a "re-spawn point".Articles referenced in this episode:'Be a Gamer, Save the World' - Jane McGonigal'The Benefits of Playing Video Games' - Isabela Granic, Adam Lobel, Rutger Engels:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24295515/'Fail, fail again, fail better: How players who enjoy challenging games persist after failure in “Celeste”' - Natalia Hefkaluk, Conor Linehan, Anna Trace:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1071581923002082'Do You Perceive Life as a Threat or a Challenge?' - Jim Taylor:https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/the-power-of-prime/202204/do-you-perceive-life-as-a-threat-or-a-challenge'The Useful Link Between Anxiety And Excitement' - Oli Hamilton:https://www.olihamilton.co.uk/post/the-useful-link-between-anxiety-and-excitement
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  Player Two: The Social Power of Couch Gaming 06.04.2026 44min

  In this episode of Lore & Order, we explore the games we didn’t just play, but shared.From late-night FIFA sessions and Halo co-op chaos, to passing the controller on Crash Bandicoot, couch gaming has always been about more than just winning. It’s about connection.We break down why playing games in the same room hits differently. From what's happening to our brain chemistry, to the shared emotions, teamwork, and rivalry that strengthen our friendships. We also explore the psychology behind it, including concepts like flow state and theory of mind, and why games are uniquely powerful at bringing people together.As online gaming rises and life gets busier, we ask, "how do we bring it back to the couch?".🎮 This week’s side quest: grab a controller, sit next to someone, and press start together.📷 Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loreandorderpodcast/Articles referenced and concepts explored in this episode:Cooperative video game play elicits pro-social behavior - Texas Tech University: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150508105656.htmTheory of Mind - Charlotte Ruhl: https://www.simplypsychology.org/theory-of-mind.html
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  Paragons and Renegades: Morality in Video Games 30.03.2026 45min

  What happens when a game gives you the freedom to be evil, and you just can’t do it?In this episode of Lore & Order, we explore morality in video games, and why so many players (ourselves included) struggle to commit to the “evil” playthrough. From obliterating Megaton in Fallout 3 to sabotaging the Genophage in Mass Effect 2, the option is there… so why do we so rarely take it?We dive into the psychology behind player choice: empathy for fictional characters, discomfort with cruelty, and how the games we play might actually reflect and shape our real world values.Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loreandorderpodcast/Articles referenced in this episode:'Why Is It So Hard to Be Evil in Video Games' - Simon Hill (2011): https://www.wired.com/story/moral-choices-in-video-games/'From student to superhero: Situational primes shape future helping' - Leif D. Nelson, Michael I. Norton (2004): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022103104001088'Automatic Influences of Priming on Prosocial Behavior' - Costanza Scaffidi Abbate, Stefano Ruggieria, Stefano Bocaa: https://ejop.psychopen.eu/index.php/ejop/article/view/603/603.html