Ethics: Impacts of computer games on society

Ethics: Impacts of computer games on society

Gaming is as popular as ever. Anyone and everyone plays games in some form or another, be it Candy Crush on a phone or Call of Duty on an Xbox. Gaming has a heavy influence on a great deal of people, so much so that many ‘Hard core’ gamers will spend hours, maybe even days just binge playing a game. A good example of severe dedication to gaming, or certain games is a man who was very in to Fallout. A heavily popular game, one man collected Bottle caps (used as currency in the game.) For a great deal of years. And as soon as the fourth installment was announced he posted the picture of his collection on the internet, sent it to the developers (I think) and because of his dedication, they sent him the game for free. Obviously this isn’t a bad thing as far as games are concerned, but there are some cases where gaming has been the cause of violence and even severe neglect.

In one case of the ugly side of gaming is where a middle aged man attacked a younger boy for killing his character on the first person shooter game; Call of Duty. The case was a 13 year old boy gunned down the man’s avatar and gloated about it. The man, obviously outraged, stormed from his house and assaulted the 13 year old as he was playing the game at a friend’s house nearby. Although this was a severe over reaction, the man did acknowledge the fact he was out of order and has apologised since. But this does show that video games do have the potential to have a severely negative effect on someone. If someone is far too heavily invested with a game. So they have the potential to make people violent, though I do believe this isn’t overly common.

Another negative where gaming is concerned, is neglect. Although, like before, this isn’t too common. It isn’t unheard of. There are a few cases where parents, carers or owners have actually neglected pets or children due to being immersed within a video game. Again, this isn’t so common, it does happen. There is one case on the internet where one dedicated gamer did indeed forget to feed their pet dog due to being so far into their game. They hadn’t fed it for quite a long period of time, causing the dog to become a little under nourished. This is alongside the fact he didn’t bother taking it for walks and the like. So yep, there are other effects, and neglect is one of them.

Alongside ethics is the objectification of women avatars within the game industry. They are given rather unrealistic feature… And larger assets than normal (You know what I mean) which seem to defy gravity, and admittedly skimpy outfits. This objectification is considered very controversial as women find these females provide unrealistic standards for female gamers. So it doesn’t have a great impact to the degree that some are offended by the appearance of female characters. Though this is most of the time the case, many don’t pay attention to the strong personalities they are given. So games can also cause a deal of controversy.

And yeah, sure game can have the potential to bring out the worst in people, it is very rare. I say this because there are far more examples of games having positive effects rather than negative effects on those who play. This is because it is said to be able to improve hand eye coordination. And a normal human is said to only be able to track four objects at a time, whilst experienced gamers are able to track seven. Many people also argue that gamers are social introvert and don’t go out much. But with Xbox live and on things like HALO matches. Gamers are able to communicate with one another and make new friends. So to a degree it is socially beneficial. They also reduce stress and even have the potential to help dyslexia. As you can see, although there are some setbacks and the like. These cases are very few and the positives certainly outweigh the negatives with gaming.

So to conclude, with gaming; yes, there are things that represent it as a bad, or potentially violent hobby. But this ultimately isn't the case.

Pros of gaming:

.Improves hand eye coordination
.Can educate the player (Mainly with games set in a different historical period.)
.Research shows it has the potential to over come dyslexia
.Helps people make faster decisions and evaluate situations quicker
.Reduces stress and helps patience improve 
.Increase social skills and help a gamer build a wider circle of friends
.Improved reaction times
.They are just fun in general and make people happy
.Can make people fitter, given the progression of motion sensor games
.It can actually reduce physical pain. Researchers have found it can reduce physical pain because it is a good distraction.
.It can be beneficial for vision. Things is because gamers pay close attention to surroundings in games.

Cons of gaming:

.It's expensive, from consoles to games to software. It really isn't a particularly cheap hobby
.Can lead to eye strain if played for long periods of time
.Lead to lack of fitness if it is normal console and controller
.Games can become addictive. This may cause gamers to distance themselves from friends and family
.It is said to promote violence with games such as Grand Theft Auto etc.
.Can also promote the objectification of women given how some females are presented. (Like Juliet from Lollipop chainsaw, as presented above.)
.Distracts gamers like students from things like chores and homework
.It could cause depression if a gamer was so immersed in a game that it made the real world seem not as good as the virtual reality they became attached to
.If the gamer becomes too invested in a game they can become socially withdrawn and can hold back their social skills.

Game Genres

Game Genres

RPG (Role Playing Game)

RPG: RPG stands for ‘Role Playing Game’ This genre is becoming vastly popular given the new popularization of Japanese influences, the Japanese are certainly most famous for the production of RPG games (From Otome to murder mystery etc.)

In RPG games it is rather self-explanatory, you do not play as yourself, but usually a set character who is already designed for you etc. It isn’t like a lot of games where you are able to do what you like and customize your player and basically be yourself. You are generally given a backstory or a feel of your characters personality or situation in RPG games and proceed to play as the character. Hence it being called a role play game.

RPG games are directed at almost all audiences. From younger girls to older boys. It depends on the kind of games you want to play. It has a vast range, more common for the female audience would be the romance RPG games like Amnesia. And for males more so Fallout.

Game: Mad Father

Platform: PC

Mad Father: Mad father is an RPG suitable for most audiences, more so teenagers I would have thought; and given the game play as well, I suppose it is slightly more directed at females. I only assume this given the very cute art style that ranges from detailed to pixel.

In this RPG game you journey as a young girl, trying to save her father from death as the ghosts of the people he has brutally murdered come back for revenge. As well as an RPG it does contain puzzle and strategy solving elements.

Fantasy

Fantasy: Fantasy is a very popular genre among earlier gamers as some of the most classic games of which people have played, are fantasy, and probably the most loved series of all would be Final Fantasy. Bust concerning fantasy, the genre seems to be dying out a lot recently. Replaced by other games such as Call of Duty and more violent games than ones that have a story with depth and consistency. Fantasy games usually contain imaginative characters and scenery as well as enemies and are generally full of story.

Fantasy very much like most of the other genres are suitable for everyone, though more so teenage males given the more in depth story and action packed game play. Although I can see why the style would heavily appeal to a female audience.

Game: Final Fantasy 7

Platform: PlayStation

Final Fantasy: Although Final Fantasy does have the potential to be labelled as a Role Play Game it is more so along the lines of, well, fantasy. This series generally follows Cloud Strife, the main protagonist of the game, infamous for the buster sword. Former soldier and mercenary, follow him as he unwraps the secrets of his past as the plot thickens and reluctantly join the Eco terrorist group AVALANCHE to destroy the evil Shinra Corporation harvesting the precious life stream from the earth.

Comedy

Comedy: Comedy games are very popular among everyone in the gaming community as they are very easy to play. And I don’t mean easy as in game play, but due to the light-hearted nature of these games, everyone enjoys playing them  Although sometimes comedy can be done to death concerning certain games such as ‘Naughty Bear’ though is executed perfectly in other such as ‘lollipop chainsaw’

Comedy games are for anybody, well, I say anybody, some people parents are sensitive to toilet or dark humour on occasion because face it, some people can’t handle being amused. Now, I’d sad this genre is targeted toward anyone and everyone.

Game: Dead Rising

Platform: Xbox 360

Dead Rising: I know it doesn’t sound like it but this game is real funny, you journey as Frank West through the zombie apocalypse, full of sass and witty remarks there’s no better person to be when you’re about to die. The comedy elements almost solely come from Frank but that isn’t a bad thing. Although other characters do contribute, it is more so their stupidity which I find to be hilarious. But there are also a series of ridiculous concepts and Easter eggs that add to this experience. As utterly ridiculous and well executed this game is you have to scratch your head at some points and face plant as you start to question why you even bother trying to save anyone in this game.

Simulation

Simulation: Simulation is quite a lot like an RPG in some ways (though it is very much dependent on the game.) But Simulation games cover a variety of subjects from driving to farming and there’s even a goat simulator (Don’t ask me why anyone would buy that because I honestly have no idea whatsoever.) In short, the player acts out tasks that are simulated into a game, like driving games when you turn the remote and the screen turns with you etc. But a very popular new Simulator that is heavily influenced by anime and Japanese culture, is taking the internet by storm. And that is Yandere simulator.

Simulators are also directed toward a very large audience as you can near enough do whatever you’d like in them. There are so many that it can really cater to all interests that anyone may have. There’s probably a simulator for any gamer out there, considering there is one where you are a goat I honestly don’t see why not.

Game: Yandere Simulator

Platform: PC

Yandere Simulator: Yandere simulator is a rising game popular among almost the entire gaming community. It is directed toward all audiences and all gamers as it contains humour, violence, gore, extra features, motives etc. I find it to be suitable for both males and females as it is honestly just a game that covers everything.

This simulator is in short, weird. You simulate a Yandere girl (Very popular in anime, like Yuno from Future Diary.) Yandere meaning sick and in love. (Yan: To be sick, messed up and deredre: To be in love.) And in this simulation you must kill any female (or even male students) who get close to your senpai. So you simulate a very crazy female student that carries all of the anime stereo types with her.

Romance/ Otome

Romance/ Otome: As previously stated, Japanese games and culture is becoming a heavy influence in the western world lately, and this is promoting girls to play more games, because a lot of game that Japan produce are Otome games or ‘Romance.’ In most romance games you play a female or male and chose a member of the opposite (or same gender, wherever you swing.) And take a route with them through a story that will general have more than one potential outcome.

These are obviously generally more directed to the female community. Although males do play, it is heavily directed toward teenage girls who are really mopey because their boyfriend isn’t the imaginary hot guy on the computer screen.

Game: Amnesia

Platform: PS Vita

Amnesia: Playing as the female protagonist Heroine, you journey through a chosen world in search of your memories. Sounds pretty cool right? Well here comes the romance, you chose a male to journey with in their own world (The options are diamond, heart, clubs, spades and joker world.) But once you have chosen a male you must hide the fact you don’t have your memories as your invisible friend helps you keep that a secret for some reason, just don’t ask me why; I haven’t finished the game and it’s confusing me.

Survival Horror

Horror: This genre is a very much you love it or you hate it kind of deal and is certainly not for those who are complete wusses. Now, with horror there is a very large fan base, but again, there really is no in between so hasn’t much of a larger following in comparison to other genre based games, like Call of Duty kind of first person shooters aimed at 12 year olds. Horror games have a wide range of monsters, creatures and the like they can use in order to instill fear on the unsuspecting gamer. And as much
as I love this genre it’s hard to get it right. Many producers think jump scares equal quality, but this isn’t the case.

Horror is certainly not directed specifically toward the female audience. I’m not being sexist, it’s just true. I found myself unable to even play the Silent Hills demo without my female friends in the room either screaming or looking as if they were going to cry. I’d certainly say they are more so for the male audience who can stomach it.

Game: Silent hill 2

Platform: PlayStation

Silent Hill 2: Journey through Silent Hill as James Sunderland and discover why you’re there. With messed up barely human creatures around every turn, it’s hard not to grimace at these enemies. Though monsters aren’t the only thing you’ll have to face, they may be scary but this game bring you face to face with your own fear. This disturbing game isn’t terrifying just because it’s full of other worldly monsters, but also because the atmosphere throughout the entire game with have your spine tingling and any gamer would be on the edge of their seat the whole way through.

Action

Action: Action games cover a large spectrum of gaming, almost every game within the industry contains some kind of actions so anything can really be classed as such, even from DanganRonpa to Ratchet and Clank. Action games tend to have a heavy deal of interactive game play where you usually battle to defeat enemies and bosses. Like every game ever you are given a motive and you must follow that through by battling through a world or a level in order to achieve your goal. That’s what it is normally like anyway.

Concerning the audience action games are suitable for, I’d say anyone. It covers such a wide range I honestly don’t see anything restricting someone from playing a game in the genre. It just covers so many games, you will find action in almost every game you’ve ever played. Although I figure that some won’t be suitable for a younger audience, but come on, these games are awesome.

Game: Bio shock

Platform: Xbox 360

Bio shock: Bio shock is an action game filled with missions and great game play and action scenes. As big daddy you can either save the little sister who you meet and help you along the way, or you can harvest the young girls in order to obtain ADAM (you monster.) This style is very heavily steam punk based and has a very original style to it. The action element comes from battling other big daddies and those who are infected with ADAM. The fight scenes are very well done and the game play is very original. With plot twists everywhere I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love this game.

Rhythm

Rhythm: Music games in the west aren’t particularly common unless you’re drunk on a Saturday and are next to an arcade about to dance platforms. Although this genre is not particularly popular or famous, it is a very big thing in the east. Music games rely on a number of things, tactics to speed to difficult choices. It covers a very large spectrum of game play. (Actually I was lying, rhythm games are kind of popular in the West, though is almost exclusively guitar Hero.)

Guys will not play this. No man I don’t think has ever played this. I personally hate this game though a deal of girls I have met online that live in Japan, can confirm that LoveLive! School Idol Festival is VERY popular. Originally an anime, there are arcades and bars solely dedicated to the idol group. But in short concerning music games, no one has to fall under a certain age range or gender category, they just have to like music.

Game: LoveLive! School Idol Festival

Platform: Phone

LoveLive! School Idol Festival: I… I don’t know where to start with this game. You tap the screen in order to get the points and get your music to line up and sound perfect. There’s a lot of pink… and singing… And… That’s about it. There are also collectible stickers within the game and a story mode where you are also a manager of sorts. There really is no structure and any music game, and this is just very very solid proof of that. Although it does have a story mode, I don’t see why.

Adventure

Adventure: Adventure games are some of the earliest that were released on Play Stations and Xboxes, basically any platform you are able to think of. And these adventure games remain some of the most famous up to date and have almost evolved, like The Legend Of Zelda and Mario. Classics and they are still some of the most famously played games up to date. Adventure games generally follow an imaginary world where you venture through as an optional or non optional character. The most classic objective is to save a princess (I’m looking at you Mario.)

Age range wise, these are generally very child friendly games, although occasionally there are some with… How should I put this? Questionable morals. Anyway, most adventure games are very much suitable for a wide range. And they appeal to everyone, especially the classics.

Game: Pokemon

Platform: Nintendo

Pokemon: Pokemon is a true Nintendo classic, probably played by everyone at some point or another this series remains strong with numerous games as well as it’s own TV show and a center dedicated to it in the heart of Tokyo, Japan. In this game you play as Ash, a young Pokemon trainer. And as the famous catchphrase goes, the aim of the game is that you gotta catch ‘em all.

Point and Click

Point and Click: Point and click mainly means plan out carefully in order to obtain the desired result. And this usually determines how you end the game. From taking over castles to ensuring everyone stays alive there are a very large deal of point and click games out there. It involves brain power and making sure you plan out every little detail perfectly. Point and click can have a deal of action in it though. Very much like the walking dead game where you play as Clementine or Lee and have to point and click in order to avoid walkers etc.

Suitable for all I imagine. Although some of these games can be gory. So obviously, again, younger gamers won’t be able to play them but aside from that there are ones targeted specifically at boys and others for girls. And the same goes for age ranges. It just really depends on the content in this situation rather than the genre.

Game: Until Dawn

Platform: PlayStation 4

Until Dawn: This is a very new game, taking the community by storm. This game was a dig deal production a few years ago but eventually faded away so when it returned, we expected a lot from it and sure enough, it lived up to the hype. No doubt about it. Play as every character and plan how to get each one of them to survive the night. Though not as easy as it sounds, not at all. To survive you must think of the consequences of every action you make because every right choice you think you’re making, it’s probably wrong.

Game concept and characters

Style of the game:

The style of this game is heavily influenced by Eastern styles. Mainly manga and anime, so exaggerated. The characters are very much anime based given the large eyes that are unusual shapes are well as their natural hair colours being well, un-natural (Light blues etc.) And the completely unrealistic proportions (Even I'm gonna admit that I drew the boobs too big, okay? I swear I'm not a pervert.) But yes, it's not so much Western influenced concerning character design. I just honestly prefer manga because it's a style that appeals to me. As well as the East is having a far heavier influence now a days where design is concerned. The characters are 3D rather than 2D as it works better with the genre and style of the game. Mainly given that most horror games aren't particularly scary if they are 2D unless they really build up atmosphere and tension (Such as Mad Father.)

Visually with that characters I wanted them to look very sweet and rather bright so as the game continues you can gradually see their bright colours fade (Like Yui's bright green eyes gradually turn very dark green and lose the shine in them.) and see them darker and dirtier to show the effects your actions are having on them. Especially with Kadae. This is mainly because you feel for the characters if you kind of watch the hope fade from them gradually. It also makes the player feel conflicted and this is because the more selfish or bad choices you make, the faster you'll see them dullen. The player will see themselves having a direct effect on the girls. To a degree the brightness of the girls shows you how much hope they have left. So bright colours are used so I can darken them as the game progresses.

With the background and scenery, it is kind of cartoonish but based around realistic ideas. As I don't want it to look totally real because it should fit in with the style of the characters. Again, very much Eastern manga and anime. And as it is set in Japan (It was originally going to be set in Middle America but I decided against it given the style I drew the characters.) But yes, as it is in Japan it will have building such as temples and probably a number of shrines. The buildings will also have features like sliding doors, specifically Japanese products in supermarkets etc. And lockers for shoes in schools. Anyway, the setting will just all be Japanese, you know, given it's set in Japan.

The all around atmosphere I want the style to generate is very dark and sinister. As the entire game is obviously a horror. Though it does have jump scares, that's not all I want it to be about. Many fail to realize that scary house plus jump scare, does not equal horror. The scenery and the setting will generate a tense and scary atmosphere which will really add to the experience.

Concept

The basic idea of this game is that you journey as a 17 year old girl named Kadae Aoi. On a mission to find her missing sister, (Mizore Aoi) she manages to  get into a car crash. Following this, the  player, now Kadae wakes up on the outskirts of a small town; seemingly abandoned and on their own, the player must venture into the small town of Yami No Taki where they will come face to face with more than just their worst nightmares, but also choices that will bring out the darkness in those who play.

Opening scene: Setting

The player is shown to be the main character, Kadae Aoi. (In this small section, the player watches the Kadae in the car and they are not able to play at this point. This is a short video before the game starts.) The game starts with Kadae driving down a long country road in the middle of the night whilst she listens to the radio, she notices the presenter starts to talk of a recent strain of disappearances. Mostly involving teenagers and younger children. Hearing this she picks up a case file from the passenger seat, whilst still focused on the road. With the name 'Mizore Aoi' printed across the front, to the right of the name; a picture of a young 10 year old girl with deep blue hair. Kadae gives the file a concerned and slightly sad look before the radio then starts to produce static and then white noise. Wincing in pain from the sound she drops the file, in an attempt to retrieve it she looks back from the road, picks it from the floor and then places the file back on the passenger seat with a look of annoyance. Looking back up, there is a young girl covered in blood stumbling across the road. Kadae then swerves in order to avoid the young girl and crashes into a tree. The screen then cuts to black while the title of the game (Yami No Taki.) appears in white lettering while eerie music plays in the background. 

Waking up on the main road of a town known only as 'Yami No Taki', seemingly abandoned years ago. Kadae has obviously been knocked out from the crash. She has nothing with her aside from the case file thrown lazily besides her, including a small rusted key. Now the player is able to manipulate and control Kadae and play as her. You are able to explore the entire town including the few houses, stores and school. As well as the dense forest before Yami No Taki, though you can only go a distance in before you end back up at the main road into town.

                                                                       Characters:

                                     Kadae Aoi

                              Role: Protagonist

                                       Age: 17

                                 Status: Alive

Appearance: Kadae has extremely long pale blue hair that falls a little past her wait. She has a mixture of both deep blue and purple eyes, very much similar to her mothers. Usually wears a slim black waist coat with a dusty blue belt and under that a dark blue vest top that is too lose. Along with this she has black finger less gloves and deep grey jeans that are slightly baggy , attached to these jeans she has a small brown bag that wraps around her thigh. She also ties a work tie around her waist to act as a belt. And lastly she has large black boots tied together with long sky blue ribbons with purple socks slightly over shooting the boots.

About: Kadae Aoi is an independent young female who, lives on her own with her younger sister, Mizore, in a small flat in the city of Tokyo. After her neglectful parents abandoned them both at 15 and 7, Kadae has raised and loved her sister throughout her entire life so has a very close connection with her.

When their parents left the two girls to fend for themselves, Kadae lied about her age so she would still be able to look after young Mizore. And she soon moved them both from Akihabara to the center of Tokyo. Then, at the age of 16 Kadae  dropped out of college and joined a police academy in order to protect both her self and her little sister. With her intelligence and physical endurance, she isn't far off from already graduating the academy.

Kadae is very intelligent, though when it comes to personal decisions she tends not to think of the consequences and goes with her heart rather than her head. 

Health Bar:

Playing as Kadae you have a health bar that will go down if you are attacked. This can be either be by a boss or a minor enemy, so it is best to prepare yourself. Different enemies will determine how much your health goes down. It's a very basic health bar found in almost every game.  

Yui Mukami

Role: Supporting Protagonist

Age: 11

Status: Alive (Choices the player makes will determine her survival)

Appearance: She has short red hair that gradually grows in length and it covers around half of her neck. Yui usually wears her uniform, a mid length, to short white dress with knee high grey socks and light pink baseball boots, which happen to be the same colour of the small cape and tie on her uniform which has two narrow black stripes along the bottoms of it. She previously had 2 large and innocent emerald green eyes until one was taken from her and now she styles her fringe so it covers the empty socket. Obviously when you meet her, the uniform is not pristine but rather ragged and filthy.

About: From the Osaka, Yui is a sweet young girl who progresses well at school and is loved by almost all who meet her. Intelligent and strong she is fulled by determination and will do anything to achieve any goals she has in mind.

Yui was raised in a orphanage as her mother died during childbirth and her father is an alcoholic, she no interest in the people around her because she is a very distant and recluse character. Although, those who she is familiar with, she is very comfortable around. Yui is also a very trust worthy girl as she strives to be someone others can rely on. She mainly does this as she doesn't want to be anything like her father who abused her when she was younger. By striving to be a reliable person she hopes that she won't live in her fathers shadow or grow up to be anything like him.

Given her past she has a deep dislike for those who do not appreciate all they have, and those who take their lives for granted.

Health Bar:

Much like Kadae, she has a bar for her health, but it will go down faster if she is attacked, seeing as she is younger. (Giving her a weapon will ensure that she is able to protect herself for a deal of time.) Though she has an extra bar, and this is for intellect and memory. Yui has a special feature and that means she retains information that she reads in books so she will remember information for the player if they forget something. For example: Is this plant poisonous? She will be able to tell you if it is consumable. The less you pay attention or don't interact with her, the more important information she will forget.

Hitomi

Role: First Antagonist

Age:19

Status: Alive

Appearance: Hitomi has a disturbing appearance as she is compiled of different body parts gathered from numerous victims over the space of 3 years. From black to white, none of her body parts are the same colour. Between the stitches you can see the strain that has been put on the joints given the red sores and bruises all over her. She also has brown tips on all of her hair whilst the rest is white from stress and terror, she also has a small purple cross clip on the left side. Hitomi wears a deep red vest top and a short red skirt, along side one long grey boot and another smaller purple baseball boot. She has no eyes yet is able to see.

About: Driven crazy by the horrors within Yami No Taki, Hitomi is almost a victim. Though the antagonist, she was once a sweet and innocent girl, rational and determined. But that all changed.

Hitomi was taken to the town at the age of 15 with two of her friends, 15 and 16. When they first arrived Hitomi explored the town by herself whilst her other two friends sought out the mansion and stayed the in wait. And when she returned, she became so traumatized she refused to ever leave the mansion. And never told the others of the horrors that lay beyond the house.

While there, they all slowly started to starve and descend into madness; until it all became too much, and driven crazy by hunger one of her friends murdered the other in her sleep and tried to eat some of her, before committing suicide by jumping from the fourth floor balcony. When Hitomi woke she was left alone, starving and on the brink of death.

After these awful events unfolded, Hitomi explored the mansion further in one last hope of escaping wherever she was. She then found a secret passage leading to a laboratory, after finding a series of notes and books on lengthening her life without having to need to eat, drink or sleep. And obviously this came with a price, anyone who she would meet in the mansion she would murder and decapitate in order to lengthen her own life span. And after so long, Hitomi finally rationalized she was helping them escape the hell she endured all those years ago. 

Objects the player is able to obtain

The player is able to hold up to 7 objects at a time (these do not include notes and keys, these carry no weight so the player may hold on to as many as they wish.) These can range from matches to weapons. And depending on how long the player determines Yui is around, or alive, you may make her carry and additional 7. This will not effect her speed or agility. Making her discard her own personal items will effect what happens to her. So the player must chose carefully.

At the start of the game Kadae does already have a few items with her kept in the bag wrapped around her leg, this includes: Gun, torch with two extra batteries, a locket with a picture of Mizore, 6 boiled sweets, a pen and a slip of paper containing the address of the town. Yui does have a deal of items, these include: A small stuffed toy, an old flip phone with only the flash camera functioning and a sharp letter opener. Though you can not take them from her, only persuade her to use them, discard them or let her gain enough trust in you to let you have a certain item.

Keys: Quite obviously these are used to unlock doors within the town, though more of the keys access the mansion. The more keys obtained the more secrets that can be unlocked as they don't just open doors but things such as chests and safes.

Matches and candles: These are not needed for Kadae unless you lose the torch. You can collect these for characters like Yui. Although providing her with either your own torch or a candle will be one of many factors determining Yui's fate.

Notes: These will help you solve puzzles set around the town and the mansion, as well as provide you information on previous residents of Darkness Falls and other people who have been condemned there like Kadae.

Weapons: There are a series of items that can be used as weapons throughout the town, including: Scalpel, kitchen knife, rope, fireplace poker, penknife, these can be difficult to find if the town has not been explored properly. A single weapon can be given to Ava. Again, this action will also play a part in her fate.

Food: It is rare that you will find food within the game. The most food items there are  include: Tinned food, energy bars and and sticks of gum. You may also scavenge, although some of the vegetation is poisonous and will end the game if consumed. Food can be given to Yui (Safe or poison.) And it will directly effect her.

Ammunition: Ammunition is found all over the town and go to Kadaes gun she already had in the beginning of the game. This ammunition is limited and it is not recommended to be wasted unless up against a boss or higher level enemy. 

Other enemies health bars:

Minor enemies: Enemies such as will have small health bars. Small swipes will half their health bar and a bigger singular attack will kill minor enemies easily. These enemies aren't so much designed to be the death of the characters, but rather an inconvenience. It's also used to test how well the player will protect Yui.

Strong enemies: Much like minor enemies, they have smaller health bars than Kadae and Yui. Though they are far more difficult to kill and are more likely to require either being impaled or strangled in order to kill them. If the player is very good, they may be able to kill them in physical combat.

Bosses: Main bosses will be a lot more difficult to kill. There are an estimated 7 located throughout the town and to progress further they will have to be killed at some point. These bosses have a considerably large health bar. They will go down a deal slower than Kadaes or Yui's so the player will require tactics in order to kill them. They are not able to be killed without weapons, although attacks such as punching will have an effect.

Final Boss: Very large health bar and very difficult to defeat, the final boss isn't easy to kill at all. Punching and other physical kind of attacks will have no effect whatsoever.