Why Interactive Video Games Make Us Better People

If you steal money from a homeless man’s basket, to later discover he is the hiring manager for the company you’re interviewing with, you probably won’t get the job, and, of course, it’s not a very nice thing to do. But in a game, where you can step outside your own body while still shaping the world around you, things are different. You probably still won't get the job, but you gain the unique ability to see how that choice affects the way people perceive you, how it changes your future, and even the hiring manager's, all without carrying the permanent weight of a real-life mistake.

That’s what makes interactive video games so empowering. Unlike reading a book or watching a movie, video games provide a platform for individuals to make choices they never would in real life. It functions as a alternate life for humans to explore different versions of themselves and witness the ripple effects of choices without facing irreversible consequences.

Empathy and Perspective-Taking Through Choice

A study published in Psychology of Popular Media Culture found that games requiring players to make moral choices for a character led to higher scores on perspective-taking assessments. By stepping into a digital skin, especially one unlike ourselves, we can rewire the way we see the world. Interactive games let us fail because of our choices, giving us insight into the logic of a different life while also fostering a sense of moral responsibility, since we are conscious of the decisions we make.

For example, a natural sweetheart might play the role of a villain, not because it reflects who they want to be, but because it allows them to step into someone else’s shoes. This encourages critical thinking about what shapes a person’s actions, increases empathy and strengthens our ability to understand and connect with others.

Interactive games have been around for a while, and some of the most well-known include Detroit: Become Human, The Walking Dead (Telltale series), and Life is Strange. Each of these games offers a different approach to reflection.

In Detroit: Become Human, every episode ends with a flowchart that visualizes how even the smallest choices, like the way we speak or how we treat others, alter the entire story. In The Walking Dead, players are constantly alerted when a character 'remembers' what was said; whether the interaction was good or bad, it forces us to reflect on how our immediate choices affect our long-term relationships. Meanwhile, in Life is Strange, the main character can literally rewind time, allowing people to test their decisions and witness the consequences before a choice is even made.

Gaming for Personal Growth

Douglas Gentile, a researcher at Iowa State University, found that games rewarding kindness and cooperation can spill over into players’ real lives. Students who played these interactive games were more likely to pick up a paper that had slipped out a professor’s hands or help a stranger without expecting anything in return. Narrative-driven games give players a safe space to practice being their best selves.

This phenomenon is called the Proteus Effect, named after the Greek god who could shapeshift from a serpent to water. When players inhabit characters different from themselves, they gain insight into how others see the world.

A man might play as a woman, or a beige-skinned player as someone darker toned, and through these experiences, they often develop a deeper understanding of others’ perspectives and behaviors. Even choosing a taller or more athletic character can influence real-life confidence or motivate healthier habits, including adjusting posture or going to the gym.

The Limits of Empathy

There are limits to empathy in interactive games. Of course, the benefits still depend on the quality of the narrative. Deep, beautifully written stories can increase understanding and empathy. But shallow or stereotypical narratives can do the opposite, and reinforce biases instead of breaking them.

A player who chooses a character of a certain race just to commit crimes isn’t building empathy, they’re practicing a harmful stereotype. It’s the depth of the story, the moral complexity behind choices, and authentic character development that creates the positive impact of interactive games.

Interactive video games are still simulations of life. They’re a tool that can help us gain insight into ourselves and others, practice being intentional with our choices, and deepen kindness and moral reflection.

Stepping into someone else’s shoes, whether real or not, gives not only our world but our values a chance to expand.