Types of Conflict in Games

These are the various types of conflict with gameplay examples included. Each presents the player with a problem he or she must solve.

Man vs. Man

Two or more individuals on opposite sides of an issue.

• Good vs. evil
• Group vs. group
• Two vs. one
• Top score/ranking
• Both want the same object
• First to the top of the mountain
• Someone said something about you
• Rumors
• Someone stole something from you
• Someone turns out to be something other than what you thought they would be
• Man X turns Man Y over to the authorities

Man vs. Nature/Environment

If the environment is preventing man from being in a place or a state he wants to be in.

• Weather - he’s cold
• Locked door - he can’t get in
• Geography - can’t cross cavern
• Jail - can’t get out
• Security - can’t get past security system
• Keeping you out - can’t get access to club/room/level
• Keeping you in - can’t find way out

Man vs. Society

Laws or a basic code of conduct is preventing the character from doing what he wants to do or forcing him to do something that he didn’t want to do. Codes of culture can be illegal, depending on the role of the player.

• Mafia member wants to return to society, but cannot.
• Romeo wants to marry Juliet, but can’t.
• No Irish need apply (Irish couldn’t get jobs in 1800’s leading up to the early 1900’s)
• Perceptions of religion
• Someone broke a law
• Someone has a secret that, if revealed to others, would cause them to feel some particular way

Man vs. Himself

The character’s conflict is within.

• He’s afraid, and he must push through it
• The situation asks more of him that he perceives he can give… he does it anyway and succeeds
• He finds himself in a moral dilemma - he doesn’t want to steal, but it’s there for the taking
• Should she date her best friend’s ex?
• He’s tired, doesn’t feel he can go on
• He is conflicted about whether or not to turn in his best friend