Ethics of Videogames

[Welknair]

I am interested in a career in game design and have taken several classes on the subject as well as exploring existing games and languages. It seems fun and all, but my problem is in the ethics. Is it fair of me to make videogames just because I enjoy it? As opposed to, say, joining a non-profit organization, trying to stop global warming, or becoming a doctor or lawyer. All of these require a decent intellect, but game design is obviously not going to have the biggest impact on the world and thus it may be a waste of potential. Thoughts? (I'm pretty sure that this goes in off-topic...)

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[*Magick* Mage]

Videogamers are an ethnic group?  

Ethics*

Do what you truly want to do, and try to impact your world in your own ways, basically. Follow your heart, laugh as much as your breathe, enjoy what you do, and Love as long as you live. <3

[Ryuu]

You should do whatever you want in life. If you like animals, do something relating animals, not space. Get my drift?

[Welknair]

You should do whatever you want in life. If you like animals, do something relating animals, not space. Get my drift?

Well let's say you love animals, but you have the capability of helping colonize the moon which would solve a number of our problems. Do you become a vet?

[*Magick* Mage]

Well let's say you love animals, but you have the capability of helping colonize the moon which would solve a number of our problems. Do you become a vet?

Which would you enjoy doing more, and which is more important to you?

Hypothetically, of course. :3

[Welknair]

Which would you enjoy doing more, and which is more important to you?

Hypothetically, of course. :3

Let's say you really want to be a vet. You're good at it and enjoy doing it. However you also enjoy doing the space thing, but just not near as much. And let's say you've never been into space before. Just simulators.

[WhatevaGuy]

There's no rule saying if you can help you have to.  Just because it's possible to join a non-profit organization does not mean you are morally obligated to do so.  If you enjoy video games and programming do that.
"Love your job, and never work a day in your life."

[Ryuu]

There's no rule saying if you can help you have to. 

Couldn't have said it any better myself.

[Nitramtj]

Just do what is more important to you. If whatever is important to you isn't fun, then I question just how important it is. Everyone has the potential to do better then they're going to do in life, so don't feel restricted by that.

[*Magick* Mage]

Let's say you really want to be a vet. You're good at it and enjoy doing it. However you also enjoy doing the space thing, but just not near as much. And let's say you've never been into space before. Just simulators.

Then become a vet. Sometimes even the seemingly smallest, most inane jobs are the ones that do truly help. For example, being a vet would be helping many animals and in turn people.

If you want to become a video-game designer, go ahead, but give back to the community. Don't just forget those around you. Find a way to take part in your community, start up your own charity, work under a nonprofit organization, anything. Any job can bring joys to others if you do it well, you love doing, and you do it partially for yourself and partially for others.

There's no rule saying if you can help you have to.  Just because it's possible to join a non-profit organization does not mean you are morally obligated to do so.  If you enjoy video games and programming do that.
"Love your job, and never work a day in your life."

Quite. Though you certainly shouldn't hurt others because you enjoy to do it. :3

Another tip for that, concentrate on building, not destroying.

[Nitramtj]

Oh and also, if you're really having trouble deciding, make a goal for yourself. Not a temporary goal, something you want to accomplish in your life, and figure out the steps to get there. If you don't have a goal, then there is no wrong or right answer on what to do, and that's the problem.