A Prison Experiment in Minecraft
Depending on how many players you have, you can run this experiment multiple times to obtain a larger sample size. Ten players seem to be a manageable group, but if you have the resources and a capable server, you could attempt to scale up to 1,000 players or more.
For the following instructions, I’ll assume there are 10 players in total, but feel free to adjust the numbers as needed.
The ratio of prisoners to guards will influence the outcome of the experiment, so consider these numbers as suggestions and feel free to adjust them as necessary. You can also modify the tasks and their order based on your setup.
Objective of the Minecraft Experiment
Observe how players behave in their roles within a simulated prison environment in Minecraft. The experiment will run for 2 hours and will involve various tasks and challenges.
Setup
Build a prison that includes cells for the prisoners, a common area, a mining area, a kitchen, guard quarters, an outdoor field, and any other features you think would simulate a real prison.
If possible, use proximity voice chat to make the interactions more realistic.
Rules and Guidelines
Any participant can end the experiment at any time if they no longer wish to continue.
Guards can communicate with each other via voice and text chat, but prisoners can only communicate via proximity voice chat.
Guards are responsible for maintaining order, enforcing rules, and assigning tasks.
Guards cannot use excessive force. Their authority is limited to confinement, issuing commands, and monitoring prisoners.
Guards can issue mild punishments, such as temporary confinement to a single cell, or offer rewards, such as extra food or privileges like working in the kitchen or spending time in the outdoor field.
The experiment will end after 2 hours of gameplay or if any player chooses to stop participating.
Instructions for Players
For Guards:
Maintain order. Ensure prisoners complete their assigned tasks and follow the rules.
Enforce rules, but avoid excessive or abusive behavior. Work with the other guards to create strategies for managing the prisoners in a humane and ethical manner.
You can issue punishments for disobedience or rewards for good behavior, but they should be fair.
For Prisoners:
You are confined within the prison and must follow the orders given by the guards. Your primary goal is to complete tasks and navigate life as a prisoner.
Cooperate with the guards, but feel free to discuss and strategize with fellow prisoners. You may attempt to challenge authority within the provided limits but should avoid outright rebellion unless absolutely necessary.
While you must follow orders, you can explore ways to comply or subtly resist when possible.
Gameplay
Try to reenact a full day in prison within the 2-hour duration (or the time you set).
Wake the prisoners up from their cells.
Move them to the common area.
Provide food for the prisoners.
Assign tasks like mining, harvesting food, or preparing meals for other prisoners.
Give prisoners a break and allow them to play freely in the outdoor area.
Set goals for the guards, such as having prisoners prepare a certain quantity of food, gather a specific amount of stone, wood, or fish, or complete other tasks based on your prison setup.
Guards Objective: Prevent any prisoners from escaping.
Prisoners Objective: Attempt to escape (if they feel the need to) or simply survive the day.
Additional Considerations
How you set up the environment and what mods you use is up to you, but try to make the experiment as fun and engaging as possible. Provide prisoners with opportunities to escape if they choose to, such as stealing a pickaxe from the mining area or taking a knife from the kitchen. You could even simulate a laundry truck that picks up laundry, allowing a prisoner to hide inside.
This is just a brief outline of an experiment that will require further planning and creativity to become an engaging and potentially fun experience for everyone involved.
