How does dark play impact the effectiveness of serious video games?

A new study has shown that allowing “dark play” in a serious video game intended to practice skills transferable to a real-life setting does not impact the game’s effectiveness. Dark play, in which players choose inappropriate or unethical actions, is an option in nearly all video games. The study, which evaluated the ability and attitudes of medical students in caring for delirious patients, is published in Games for Health Journal.