Multiplayer is supported over a local network or online. The core gameplay mechanic of Black & White is the interaction between the player and an avatar creature, who carries out the players instructions and whose personality and behaviour change in reaction to how they are treated. A primary theme is the concept of good and evil, with the atmosphere being affected by the player's moral choices.
The player acts as a god whose goal is to defeat Nemesis, another god who wants to take over the world.
Black & White combines elements of artificial life and strategy. Black & White is a god video game developed by Lionhead Studios and published by Electronic Arts for Microsoft Windows in 2001 and by Feral Interactive in 2002 for Mac OS.