Is this a form of dice/gambling in the video game I am making?
Question
Assalamu alikom, I am a game developer and have a passion for making games. I am developing a game that is based on defeating Bosses that give you their weapons and it has game rounds. Every game round the bosses are randomly chosen and the difficulty is also randomly chosen. These random boss system is there to make the game less predictable and more interesting.
My question is: is this system of random boss choosing haram and falls in the ruling of dice/gambling? Is this game haram to make? (I made sure to exclude facial structures, eyes, haram concepts, music, etc from the game to make it as halal as possible)
Answer
Wa‘alaykum as-salām wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuhu,
Your inquiry regarding the permissibility of implementing a random boss selection system in your game is of significance, particularly within the framework of Islamic guidelines. Several aspects need thorough evaluation to conduct a comprehensive analysis and arrive at the appropriate Islamic ruling.
1. Permissibility of Games in Islam
Scholars generally agree that video games are permissible unless they exhibit certain characteristics:
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- Lack of Benefit: The game must offer substantive benefits for both this life and the hereafter.
- Contradiction to Islamic Values: It should not include elements that contradict Islamic teachings.
- Disproportionate Harm: The negative aspects of the game should not outweigh its positive contributions.
- Promotion of Vice: The game must not promote violence, immodesty, or other morally objectionable content.
- Interference with Worship: The game should not be so immersive that it prevents players from fulfilling their religious obligations.
These criteria provide a framework for evaluating the permissibility of video games within Islamic ethical guidelines.
2. Randomness Versus Gambling (Maysir)
There exists a clear distinction between randomness and gambling (Maysir):
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- Gambling (Maysir): Involves risking money or valuables on an uncertain outcome, with gain or loss determined purely by chance. Key elements include risk, chance, and a stake.
- Randomness in Games: Random selection, as utilized in your game for bosses and difficulty levels, serves to enhance replayability and unpredictability. This form of randomness does not constitute gambling; rather, it simply means outcomes depend on chance rather than player skill.
3. Dice and Islamic Jurisprudence
Islamic rulings against dice playing (Ki‘āb) primarily stem from narrations that denounce their use, regardless of gambling intentions. However, it is crucial to differentiate between dice used for gambling and those employed for non-gambling purposes.
4. Applying the Principles to Your Game
- Random Boss Selection: The implementation of a random boss selection system does not involve players wagering anything. Similar to dice in non-gambling board games, it serves as a game mechanic to introduce challenge and variability.
- Concerns About Gambling: Given the absence of betting, the random selection does not meet the criteria for gambling. This use of randomness aligns with permissible activities such as drawing lots or utilizing random number generators.
Conclusion:
Based on the foregoing analysis, the random boss selection system in your game does not constitute gambling (Maysir). It is a game design element intended to enrich gameplay, devoid of any wagering component. Therefore, developing and incorporating this feature into your game is permissible as long as it offers benefits and avoids prohibited elements such as depictions of facial representations, promotion of impermissible concepts, or inclusion of music that contradicts Islamic guidelines. The use of the random boss system itself does not compromise the game’s adherence to Islamic principles.
And Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala knows best.