Behavioural Design in Video Games: Ethical, Legal, and Health Impact on Players

Abstract

Video games use behavioural design strategies, i.e., dark patterns, to increase engagement and drive revenue. These practices affect consumer behaviour, e.g., lead to extended playtime, and subsequently health, such as social well-being. HCI approaches such as motivational design or personalization are central to behavioural design strategies. Some approaches, e.g., in-game messages to guilt trip users, are ethically and legally questionable. In this workshop, we explore the ethical, health, and legal implications of behavioural design strategies. Our workshop aims to integrate interdisciplinary viewpoints, to co-develop a road map to address behavioural design, and collect contemporary perspectives on the issue. Participants will take away knowledge from different expert perspectives, concrete steps to address the impact of behavioural design, and a multidisciplinary expert network that will tackle existing and emerging future challenges.