Internet Moral Dilemma Iconic on the Web Transforms into a Digital Game
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In a unique twist, the interactive comedy game The Trolley Solution reimagines the classic trolley problem thought experiment as a series of inventive mini-games. This surreal and humorous take on the ethical dilemma, originally posed as a simple choice between diverting a trolley, keeps the core elements of the trolley, lever, and ethical quandary, but presents them in bizarre and playful situations.
Rather than just deciding to pull a lever, players are placed in scenarios that riff on the original puzzle's setup. For instance, one mini-game requires reconstructing train tracks from fragments under time pressure, while another tasks the player with managing a commuter's mood influenced by social media-induced serotonin spikes. The game even includes a visual novel segment telling the quirky romance story between a Japanese schoolgirl and a conscious tram with a peculiar grudge, demonstrating how the game uses absurd storytelling to explore ethical concepts in novel ways.
The gameplay in The Trolley Solution consists of a series of mini-games, each presenting a unique twist on the trolley problem, avoiding repetition and injecting humor and creativity into the interaction. By embracing absurdity and unpredictability, the game transforms the philosophical problem into a foundation for novel, entertaining challenges, rather than a simple lever-pulling decision.
The rules for each minigame are straightforward: they must be fun, connected to the dilemma that unlocks it, do something that hasn't been seen before, and subvert expectations. The creator, byDanDans, concocts far-fetched schemes for added excitement, describing the game as an extended interactive sketch show based around a single joke.
byDanDans aimed to make the game easy to pick up and finish, as his previous games were too technical and hardcore for most players. The game is ideally suited to the era of social media, with humor that is Internet-coded and minigames that are a perfect fit for quickfire TikToks. Each minigame lasts from a few seconds to a few minutes, and the level select screen hints at a concise total run time.
Interestingly, the game creator, byDanDans, stated that if faced with the original trolley problem, he would choose the option that leads to fewer legal repercussions. Despite some iterations of the minigames being bland, unfunny, or not meeting the set rules, byDanDans has managed to create a game that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, transforming the trolley problem from a static thought experiment or viral meme into an interactive comedy experience where ethical dilemmas become sources of eccentric gameplay and storytelling innovation.
- In the world of The Trolley Solution, social media influences not only a commuter's mood but also forms a crucial element in one of the minigames.
- The game's humorous take on the trolley problem, including minigames that revolve around social media, makes it an ideal fit for the quick and engaging content of platforms like TikTok.
