This is really a great and thought-provoking article.
While you specifically talk about games with a storyline, I have always been wondering why war games are so popular. I mean, why could it bring any fun to shoot to death other virtual characters? Ok, I get that people seek the thrill and adrenalin, stress relief and finally say 'it's just a game'.
But I think in a roundabout way it also has to do with the fact that many people like the power and influence given by owning a weapon.
Anyway, in RPGs I always love to create my character in a way it resembles my real persona, and Inaturally take the decisions which I would take if I was in that situation.
I mean, we all have a shadow side, there is nobody who embodies either Light or Dark100%. I think by embracing one's shadow side we are much more balanced altogether, which means that playing the evil role in a game could also say that we are not so stuck in judgement and extremes.
But what do I know? There are surely different perspectives, and each one responds differently to video games ;)
Indeed, I did the same. I try to immerse myself and do with the character as I would do if I was there for real ;)
Although you can take on the dark side because it's "just a game", why desire to? The game puts us in a world where we have more power at times,w e like that. So if you can do anything, why not do good, even if it isn't real? Being in an unreal place without the consequences of society seems to let people unleash and let loose... so that shows a part of them at a deeper level.
The shadow side isn't something to embody in action, it';s something to recognize and choose to sublimate, transmute and change for the better by being aware of it and not doing it. That's "spiritual" alchemy ;)
I like to play FPS once in a while, because it's short, and I like to get rid of bad guys, get rid of evil lol ;)
Thanks for the feedback.