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1981
Volume 16, Issue 1
  • ISSN: 1757-191X
  • E-ISSN: 1757-1928

Abstract

() allowed players to build and/or disarm nuclear devices as a part of its live service base-building gameplay with the intention of mimicking the real-world difficulties of nuclear disarmament. Building and disarming nuclear devices in the game was further encouraged by developers through the design of two PlayStation trophies along with the promise of a secret cut-scene if players managed to eradicate all nuclear weapons on their online server. However, due to an alleged programming error it became impossible for players to actually achieve this goal. This article examines the design of the aforementioned trophies and their relationship with in-game nuclear disarmament, highlighting the larger significance of the trophy design and how the metacommentary (i.e., anti-nuclear narrative) of was undermined by metagaming practices (i.e., unlocking trophies, optimizing gameplay) and a live service business model focused on player retention and profit.

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/content/journals/10.1386/jgvw_00090_1
2024-07-19
2026-04-17

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/content/journals/10.1386/jgvw_00090_1
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  • Article Type: Article
Keyword(s): game design; Hideo Kojima; Japanese games; Konami; metagaming; Metal Gear; PlayStation trophies

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