An Ethical Dilemma at Full Effect Video

1. Describe – In the article, “Too Hot To Handle”, employee, Ted, has the assignment of heading the marketing campaign for Full Effect Video’s newest video games, “Body Count”. After a lot of research and trials Ted discovers that video game players desire games with audio cues, quick graphics, and multiple levels of difficulty. Ted also learns in his research that 75% of video game players are male aged 5-12 and teenagers aged 13-19. Further research tells Ted that “slot-type” games, games where players are prompted to insert more coins at key levels and get coins back after accomplishing certain goals, are very profitable. Ted tells Brad, Full Effects President, that he has added two things to the Body Count game that have been proven to be quite profitable with the teenage market. The two additions are virtual reality technology and a female character who removes a piece of clothing at each level until becoming completely nude at the end of the game.

Weeks later Ted tells Brad that he feels the nudity aspect of the games is a bad idea. Brad, co-workers, and family are all displeased with Ted. The success of this game will affect hundreds of people’s lives.

The next day Brad meets with Ted to ask him about his final decision on the nudity. Ted sticks to his guns and tells Brad he still doesn’t think the nudity is a good idea. Brad agrees, well, at least as far as the United States teenage market is concerned. Brad decides that marketing the game with the nudity aspect should be limited to adults on the internet in the United States. He also checked out foreign markets such as, Mexico and Taiwan. Some countries, such as Taiwan, wanted the game to be more graphic in the areas of both violence and nudity. Brad wants to market the game to some foreign markets with the nudity and he wants to make sure that Ted knows what he needs to be working on.

2. Discern – Should Ted go along with what Brad wants him to do and prepare a marketing campaign...