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Virtual to Virtuous Money: A Virtue Ethics Perspective on Video Game Business Logic

Author

Listed:
  • Olli I. Heimo

    (University of Turku)

  • J. Tuomas Harviainen

    (Hanken School of Economics)

  • Kai K. Kimppa

    (University of Turku)

  • Tuomas Mäkilä

    (University of Turku)

Abstract

In this article, we expand on the models available for defining various different business logics relevant to video game development, especially those concerning free-to-play games. We use the models to analyse those business logics from an Aristotelian virtue ethics perspective. We argue that if an individual wishes to follow the Aristotelian virtue ethics code in order to develop the virtues inherent in his or her own character (as in the personal character of the developer, not a character in the game), how he or she chooses to try and generate revenue from the fruits of his or her labour is not irrelevant. Moreover, we argue that some of these methods are in fact vices, which are damaging to the character of the developer, and should therefore be avoided.

Suggested Citation

  • Olli I. Heimo & J. Tuomas Harviainen & Kai K. Kimppa & Tuomas Mäkilä, 2018. "Virtual to Virtuous Money: A Virtue Ethics Perspective on Video Game Business Logic," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 153(1), pages 95-103, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:153:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1007_s10551-016-3408-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-016-3408-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David McPherson, 2013. "Vocational Virtue Ethics: Prospects for a Virtue Ethic Approach to Business," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 116(2), pages 283-296, August.
    2. Lehdonvirta, Vili & Castronova, Edward, 2014. "Virtual Economies: Design and Analysis," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 1, volume 1, number 0262027259, December.
    3. Rohan Miller & Grant Michelson, 2013. "Fixing the Game? Legitimacy, Morality Policy and Research in Gambling," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 116(3), pages 601-614, September.
    4. Arkes, Hal R. & Blumer, Catherine, 1985. "The psychology of sunk cost," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 35(1), pages 124-140, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ismail Adelopo & Ibrahim Rufai & Moshood Bello, 2023. "Financial Accountability and Religious Sentiments: The Case of Sukuk Bond," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 182(2), pages 397-420, January.
    2. Miikka J. Lehtonen & J. Tuomas Harviainen & Annakaisa Kultima, 2023. "How monetization mechanisms in mobile games influence consumers’ identity extensions," Service Business, Springer;Pan-Pacific Business Association, vol. 17(1), pages 113-136, March.
    3. David Zendle & Rachel Meyer & Nick Ballou, 2020. "The changing face of desktop video game monetisation: An exploration of exposure to loot boxes, pay to win, and cosmetic microtransactions in the most-played Steam games of 2010-2019," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(5), pages 1-13, May.
    4. Lehtonen, Miikka J. & Vesa, Mikko & Harviainen, J. Tuomas, 2022. "Games-as-a-Disservice: Emergent value co-destruction in platform business models," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 564-574.
    5. J. Tuomas Harviainen & Janne Paavilainen & Elina Koskinen, 2020. "Ayn Rand’s Objectivist Ethics Applied to Video Game Business," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 167(4), pages 761-774, December.
    6. Denis Bulygin & Ilya Musabirov, 2020. "How People Reflect On The Usage Of Cosmetic Virtual Goods: A Structural Topic Modeling Analysis Of R/Dota2 Discussions," HSE Working papers WP BRP 60/MAN/2020, National Research University Higher School of Economics.

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