Code or Be Coded

Games That Dare to Ask Who is in Charge?

Code or Be Coded

Games That Dare to Ask Who is in Charge?

March  13 , 2025

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Game Development

Game Development

Game Development

Game Development

Pitch & Decide Game Concepts

Design Detective & Prompt

feb 27

Game tower with physical interfaces for 4 unique games

What We Are Making

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Are we shaping the code or is the code shaping us?

While we write the code and build the systems, those same algorithms can influence our decisions and behavior, prompting us to question who truly holds the power—us or our creations.

OUR PROMPT

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YOUR CHALLENGE

Develop a video game concept that explores how moral and ethical choices are ‘hard-coded’ into digital systems, like the self-driving car trolley problem, teaching players how these decisions can profoundly reshape society.

OUR PROMPT

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Game Design Day

Create a game concept that:

1. Explores a technology driven moral dilemma

2. Focuses on Societal Impact

3. Maps out incentives, art and gameplay

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Recipicle

Medical Mishaps

Quak

Digital Deception

the four games we voted on

four games that deal with tech ethics

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Today's goal

Goal: Design 4 flowcharts to finalize branching choices & consequences so we can start building in Construct 3

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Step 1: REVIEW Game SnapshotS

What is your game about?

 

📝 In a world where [setting], a [character] must [goal], but every decision they make will [consequence].

 

✔ Example: In a world where AI controls everything, a rogue chatbot must prove it has free will, but every decision it makes could lead to its shutdown.

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STEP 2: REVIEW Choices & Consequences

🎮 What are two big decisions the player will make?

    •    Choice 1: Player chooses between [Option A] OR [Option B]

    •    Choice 2: Player chooses between [Option A] OR [Option B]

What happens next?

    •    Best Ending: What happens if they make good choices?

    •    Other Endings: What are some alternate outcomes?

 

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Step 3: Design Flow Charts

Start with the problem: What situation does the player face? 

Define the First Decision → What’s the player’s first choice? 

Branch the Consequences → What happens based on each choice?

Introduce a Second Decision → How does the player respond next? 

Continue to an Outcome → What are the possible endings?

 

Each choice should change the story in a meaningful way, leading to different challenges or endings.

 

 

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GReen Energy Flow Chart

Goal: Stay warm during the snowstorm.

START: Snowstorm Hits, House is Freezing

Start with the problem: What situation does the player face? 

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Goal: Stay warm during the snowstorm.

START: Snowstorm Hits, House is Freezing

Decision 1: What do you do first?

Define the First Decision → What’s the player’s first choice? 

GReen Energy Flow Chart

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Decision 1: What do you do first?

Option 1: Search for extra blankets

Option 2: Look for items to burn

Branch the Consequences → What happens based on each choice?

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Decision 1: What do you do first?

Option 1: Search for extra blankets

Option 2: Look for items to burn

Decision 2, Option 1: Where do you search?

Check the bedroom closet

 

You find a blanket, but it’s not enough. What else can you do?

Check the attic storage

 

You find a thick winter coat! (+Warmth Bonus)

Introduce a Second Decision, Option 1 → How does the player respond next? 

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Decision 2, Option 2: What do you burn?

Old newspapers 

 

Provides some warmth, but burns quickly. What else can you do?

The wooden chair 

 

Lasts longer, but now you have less furniture!

Introduce a Second Decision, Option 2 → How does the player respond next?

Decision 1: What do you do first?

Option 1: Search for extra blankets

Option 2: Look for items to burn

Decision 2, Option 1: Where do you search?

Check the bedroom closet

 

You find a blanket, but it’s not enough. What else can you do?

Check the attic storage

 

You find a thick winter coat! (+Warmth Bonus)

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Decision 3: What else?

Drink hot tea

 

+Small Warmth Bonus

Call a neighbor for help 

 

They offer a space heater, but it’s tied to their generator. Do you accept?

Introduce a Third DecisionHow does the player respond next?

YES 

House warms up, but it costs you later (possible consequence in a future choice).

NO

You stick with your survival choices, game continues.

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🏆 Good Ending: You managed to stay warm using creative solutions, and the storm passes.

Continue to an Outcome → What are the possible endings?

🤷 Neutral Ending: You survive but struggle. The game hints that better choices could have helped

Bad Ending: You didn’t find enough warmth sources and suffered from the cold (restart or try again).

Step 3: Design Flow Charts

Start with the problem: What situation does the player face? 

Define the First Decision → What’s the player’s first choice? 

Branch the Consequences → What happens based on each choice?

Introduce a Second Decision → How does the player respond next? 

Continue to an Outcome → What are the possible endings?

 

Each choice should change the story in a meaningful way, leading to different challenges or endings.

 

 

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Today's goal = ACHIEVED

🎉 Now, we’re ready to dig into Construct 3! 🚀

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See you next week for "Game Development!"

Code or Be Coded

Games That Dare to Ask Who is in Charge?