Persuasion and videogames - the Batman example

The Batman example in the lecture helped me come to a realisation about how i play videogames. If I were to play the game, i would undoubtedly opt for the mindless, non-stealth method of defeating enemies. Why? The extra experience gained or rewards are enough of an incentive to choose this method. Sure, I'd try the stealth method a couple of times initially, but I'd be likely to become impatient and just want to advance through the game and so resort to fighting in the light as it were. I havent actually seen the game being played, but from past experience with this same dilemma, being stealth begins to feel repetitive.

There are some missions on Call of Duty which encourage stealthiness. I tried being stealth initially, but it just didnt work. So, i changed my strategy to be the opposite. I was "unstealth". I made myself noticed and then retreated back and let them come to me, giving me the advantage. There is the added excitement that comes with the sense of urgency if youve been noticed. However, the difference here is that there are no obvious consequences for being seen. There is no added reward presented by the game for either method, only internal ones (eg the personal satisfaction of adhering to the method set forth by the game).

So, whereas Batman is persuasive in that it reinforces one method more than another, Call of Duty is somewhat less so as there are no apparent consequences either way. Call of Duty then exposes the other factors at play which may counteract the persuasion in the Batman game regarding stealthiness.

Kevin argued that Arkham Asylum's persuasion was problematic as it didnt stick to the logic of the comics. Batman operates at night for a reason. Why neglect that by encouraging fighting in the light? I would suggest that the game developers justify this by saying that this way makes the gameplay more enjoyable