|
pobbles's Prison Architect (PC)
|
| [February 29, 2016 09:38:18 AM]
|
Wow, this game just keeps getting deeper and deeper. I got into scheduling programs today--things like AA meetings and drug treatment--both of which the CEO advocated, making me think the CEO isn't actually evil, even though he looks like a typical evil CEO. Still seems like there's no limit to my budget, so I'm still giving the prisoners absolutely everything I can. I finally got my new cell block finished, but I keep getting new prisoners faster than I can complete cells, so I constantly have people who can't be assigned cells. Frustrating.
I like this game. I like the subtlety of its ethical questions. The effects of your style of prison are relatively slow to take effect, and the game doesn't scream at you as either a "good" prison or "bad" prison. Plus, I forgot how much I get into Sim-type games when I bother to take the time to play them. I quickly grew very concerned about the minutiae of getting pipes to toilets and every room fully wired and having enough janitors and so on. I really didn't like this game after my first session, but I'm really glad I played it now.
add a comment 
|
| [February 28, 2016 11:03:15 PM]
|
I got pretty into it tonight. I was kind of rushed and set a timer for myself to play for exactly half an hour so I could get to bed super early, but I ended up playing at least double that, maybe more. I still haven't really noticed a strain on my money in this game, so I see absolutely no reason to not give the prisoners everything they need. So I'm still stuck in chapter 2 of the campaign as I do absolutely every optional thing to make the prisoners lives better: recreation, food (I kind of can't believe that one was "optional"), laundry, etc. I even started building new cells, which I feel is way more complicated than it should be--there should be like a standard cell stamp or something that does the walls, bed, toilet, and door all in one.
I guess this game is showing me that my view of prisoners is that they should be treated as humanely as possible. I know many people would disagree with me--but I honestly don't understand why I would try and just make their lives hell. I don't get how that helps them not commit crimes again in the future. I feel like most (if not all) criminals are victims of circumstance. Maybe I'm naïve? In any case, I still have well over a million dollars in my account--they're getting their pool tables and TVs.
read comments (1)  -
add a comment
|
| [February 28, 2016 12:19:22 AM]
|
Okay, so my question in class has been answered: this game definitely has a story. From my first session, it looks like I'm still mostly in tutorial mode, with the CEO telling me exactly what to do at every moment, but the story so far is quite interesting. My favorite moment is how Chapter 1 linked directly to Chapter 2 in a surprise twist.
As far as ethics go, we've definitely already seen discussion on the death penalty--a classic ethical question as old as civilization itself. And the game has told me that I can care or not care about prisoners and give things like a bookshelf or not, but I haven't seen yet what the actual impact of this is--and I haven't been limited in resources at all to see any reason not to do it. But I'm definitely intrigued.
add a comment
|
|
|
 |
pobbles's Prison Architect (PC)
|
|
Current Status: Playing
GameLog started on: Saturday 27 February, 2016
|
|
