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Author: WeAreAllKosh

Apr 21st 2013 at 4:22:53 AM

This trope is also related to, and often based on, PowerOfTrust.

I assume this trope isn't strictly for video games. There's definitely RealLife truth to it as well. The Prisoner's Dilemma relates to it (and game theory showing that cooperation is the optimal play for all in the long run). And obviously there are benefits to living in a world where you don't feel you have to be constantly watching your back--but to live in a world like that takes people (including you and I) not stabbing others in the back. A culture of honesty is also good for business--in many ways business depends on it to even function. And ensuring that everyone feels they have a stake in things (by being included rather than marginalized, have at least basically decent living standards rather than desperation) ensures that such an honest and cooperative culture can persist and be strengthened rather than deteriorate and be ruined for everyone.

(And I'd say generally 90% of people if not more do try to live this way. A large portion of exceptions are probably {{Sociopath}}s.)

I'll have to think of examples from other media that mention or clearly illustrate these principles--again, if your trope is intended to go beyond gameplay.