![]() So based on what we know about human psychology, the temptation to betray the other prisoner is almost overpowering. But if one prisoner chooses to betray while the other remains silent, the proactive prisoner will benefit more, and essentially "win". Now, according to the Prisoner's Dilemma, the best outcome for both people is for both to remain silent. If A and B both remain silent, both of them will only serve 1 year in prison (on the lesser charge) If A betrays B but B remains silent, A will be set free and B will serve 3 years in prison (and vice versa) If A and B both betray the other, each of them serves 2 years in prison Each prisoner is given the opportunity either to betray the other, by testifying that the other committed the crime, or to cooperate with the other by remaining silent. Simultaneously, the police offer each prisoner a Faustian bargain. They plan to sentence both to a year in prison on a lesser charge. ![]() The police admit they don't have enough evidence to convict the pair on the principal charge. ![]() Each prisoner is in solitary confinement with no means of speaking to or exchanging messages with the other. Two members of a criminal gang are arrested and imprisoned. To narrow down how game theory works to a basic example, people often cite the Prisoner's Dilemma, of which Wikipedia provides a fine summary: The basis of Danganronpa is built on game theory - an economic theory that explains more about human behaviours and motivations than many of us would like to consider. ![]() What I can do, however, is explain how the game is set up, its narrative structure, and then explain why the game is the greatest melting pot of philosophical concepts that I've come across in a game to date. So out of respect for the publisher this review won't feature spoilers, and I strongly recommend that people do not seek out spoilers prior to playing the game themselves. The publisher, Nippon Ichi Software America (NISA), has asked that we don't spoil the plot beyond the game's first chapter, and it's a fair enough request to make as the game does have twists and turns that work best as a shock when first experienced. Danganronpa is ultimately the richest game narrative I've experienced in some time, and it's a game I'm going to need to play through a couple of times to fully comprehend its full value as a work of storytelling. Spike Chunsoft's visual novel is very much like the original Saw film that heavily inspired it what could have easily been a standard horror narrative reveals itself to have more layers than rings on an ancient tree and becomes a story experience absolutely essential for anyone that cares about good narrative. If anyone ever again argues with me that games can't hold literary merit, I'm going to point them to Danganronpa. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
December 2022
Categories |