Axiom City explores how games can engage players as moral decision-makers through the lens of Consequentialism, an ethical theory that evaluates actions based on their outcomes. As games evolve into rich narrative experiences, players are encouraged to reflect on how their choices shape both the story and their own ethical understanding.
Axiom City is set in a post-apocalyptic, cyberpunk world filled with towering skyscrapers, holographic advertisements, and constant surveillance. The city is driven by technology, style, and the consequences of reckless corporate control. At its centre is Helix Corp, the powerful organisation that took control after the fall of government, managing everything from security to data through its all-seeing system, The Veil.
The story follows Joe, a former Helix Corp employee who is dismissed after questioning their use of surveillance to control citizens. After Helix attempts to erase his identity and abandons him in the city's most deprived district, he survives and begins his journey to resist their authority. Through gameplay, players make decisions that influence outcomes, encouraging reflection on the ethical consequences of their actions.
