Philosophy Behind Game Karma System

Explanation of karma

Karma is the religious belief that each persons actions have consequences and that these choices will affect you in the next life. In Buddhism however, karma mainly refers to one's intention or motivation while doing an action.(http://viewonbuddhism.org/karma.html) Accirding to Buddhism there are 4 laws of karma.

The Four Laws of Karma

1. Results are similar to the cause. Simply said, when I cause other people harm, I will harvest suffering myself. It is important to note here, that "positive" actions are defined as actions that have happiness as a result; "negative" actions are defined as actions that lead to suffering as a result.
2. No results without a cause. As is obvious within science, things do not just appear out of nothing.
3. Once an action is done, the result is never lost. Similarly as above, things do not just disappear into nothing.
4. Karma expands. Once we have an imprint of an action in our mind, it tends to be habit-forming. As is often said in wars for example, killing the first enemy is tough, but after a handful, one quickly loses count and it becomes "normal". Also psychology often stresses a similar point when e.g. explaining actions of adults from their childhood experiences.

In conclusion karma is just a belief more then anything so its more accurate to call it a morality.


Designer intent with morality/karma system

Game designers intended for players to make their own choices as they would in real life situations. there is no strict moral code to be followed.  The karma system is designed on what most of society has deemed good or bad decisions.  As their is no strict moral code to be followed playing through the game then its all based on players choice alone and them accepting the consequences.

Sources:

Parker, L. (2009, November 17). Black or White: Making Moral Choices in Video Games - Features at GameSpot. GameSpot is your go-to source for video game news, reviews, and entertainment. Retrieved November 17, 2011, from http://www.gamespot.com/features/black-or-white-making-moral-choices-in-video-games-6240211/

Karma. (2011, September 11). View on Buddhism: (Tibetan) Buddhist practice and philosophy. Retrieved November 17, 2011, from http://viewonbuddhism.org/karma.html 

Schulzke, M. (n.d.). Game Studies - Moral Decision Making in Fallout. Game Studies - Issue 1102, 2011. Retrieved November 30, 2011, from http://gamestudies.org/0902/articles/schulzke

Character Alignment - Television Tropes & Idioms . (n.d.). Home Page - Television Tropes & Idioms . Retrieved November 30, 2011, from http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CharacterAlignment

Adkins, N. (2011, November 28). Morality in Games. 1UP.com: Video Game Reviews, Cheats, and More. Retrieved November 30, 2011, from http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=9091877