Abstract

This paper is devoted to the concept of decisions in video games. In doing so, I start from the frequently applied criticism that they are irrelevant, since the course of the game is almost identical regardless of the individual decision. I follow this criticism with examples from "Telltale's The Walking Dead - Season Two" and work out a certain understanding of decisions in video games that characterizes them as relevant to the outcome. In contrast, using Robert Kane's theory of free will, I develop a different concept of decisions that focuses on character formation. According to this theory, players construct the character of the game character with their decisions, and therefore every decision is relevant. I will again use the example of "The Walking Dead" to support this thesis, and also emphasize that it is precisely this aspect that distinguishes video games with a decision-making option.