How can game developers improve the ethics of their designs?

Through informed prediction (assess the ethical effects of mechanics and include feedback from different player groups), re-engineering unwanted effects (find less harmful alternatives, e.g. fixed reward intervals), and promoting desired effects (e.g. reward players for staying under 20 hours a week).

1. Informed prediction
   • assess game mechanics from an ethical point of view and analyse their influence on behaviour
   • include feedback from different player groups to assess the game in its various contexts of use
2. Re-engineer unwanted effects
   • find alternatives with no or fewer harmful effects
   • use fixed-interval reward schedules (reward, then break). Unpredictable rewards are what make slot machines and loot boxes so compulsive; a predictable rhythm makes stopping easier.
3. Promote desired effects
   • e.g. cap play at 20 hours per week and reward the player for keeping to it.

Go deeper:

• Wikipedia: Reinforcement — the schedules section explains why fixed intervals are less compulsive than variable ones.
• Wikipedia: Loot box — the textbook case of a variable-reward mechanic.