Here's my idea for a Christian computer game:
The game should be based on the gospel - We have sinned, sinned causes death, we need a savior. So in an ideal game, we would first show sin, then show how sin hurts ourself and others, and then show that Christ can free us from that sin. I'm working on a story for an adventure game (like King's Quest, Zork) right now based on these above principles. I know adventure games aren't that popular right now, but adventure games are one of the few types that have the character solve problems through intelligence rather than force. Also, adventure gamers expect a deep story to go with the game.

So far, the story for this game has reached 30 pages, so I'll just explain it in a nutshell -
The game takes place in Rome a few years after Christ's ressurection. The player takes the position of Atrius, a Roman slave, who is very depressed. He's having a hard time understanding love, and he gets really depressed and attempts suicide. But right before he slits his wrists a paper literally falls out of the sky and lands on him. Atrius reads the paper which has Romans 8:38-40 written on it. Intrigued by this love explained in the paper, Atrius stops his suicide attempt and begins to search for people who know about this love.

Eventually Atrius gets kicked out of Rome because he has stopped performing his slave duties, and travels to a small Shepherd village. This village revolves around following the law perfectly. If any of the citizens break one of the laws of God they are kicked out of the village. Of course, this is not possible, so people end up trying to hide the mistakes they've made. So Atrius wonders around this village, and watches people sin, and sees how the sin hurts others and themselves.

After spending time in this village Atrius realizes that he has sinned, and thinks he's going to hell because of his sin. Next Atrius travels to the village of Puteoli, where he crosses path with the Apostle Paul.(Saul) Listening to Paul teach about Christ, Atrius begins to understand the savior. Once Atrius gains enough courage, he asks Paul to baptize him in the name of Christ.

For the rest of the game, Atrius returns to Rome (now destroyed by the fire), learns to witness to some of the citizens, learns to love the people he hates, and so on. Eventually the Roman soldiers learn of his evangelizing and throw him in prison. The game ends with Atrius being eaten by a lion in the Coliseum of Rome. Atrius gives up his life for Christ. The final scene in the game will show Atrius in heaven, hugging Jesus, happy to have finally found the love he's been searching for his whole life.

(Phew) That's my idea, and I would like to hear what you think. I think that love is something people are really searching for in this world,and they aren't finding it in sex, drugs, or anything like that. They don't understand that they can find this love in Christ. That's why I chose to write about a character who, though living thousands of years before us, faces the same challenge humans face now - finding true love.

Please write back and tell me what you think and again, I'm willing to help out any way I can on projects currently going on right now.

Thank you so much,
Brian Draeger
briandra2@aol.com

[This message has been edited by briandra2 (edited June 28, 2001).]

Very noble storyline.

I don't want to discourage you, but one important thing is figuring out who would play a game like that.

It looks like the only people who would attempt to play it are those who are already christians and want to have some christian fun on the computer.

Non-Christians would only play the game if it has something new (such as a new innovative game play with A1 Graphics) that is not available anywhere else.

Since it looks like it is a game to help people become Christians, then your target audience is Non christians. The questions then you need to ask is: "How can I get a Non Christian to want to play it" (Not being deceived into thinking it was a normal game and then finding out it was christian and feeling cheated.)

That is the question I cannot answer.
the Revelation Game by Two Guys software will probably achieve it (Being attractive to Non christians), but we will have to wait and see.

If this game is for Christians to be played by Christians - then go ahead and make it. I am sure that Christians will want to play it and it may help them spiritually as well.

PS. I warn you now about future comments from MeanManInOz. His Bark is way worse than his bite!

Revelator!

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www.revelatorgames.com

I think a Christian adventure game is an inherently *good* idea, but yours sounds a little grim. It's like a rolling display of cliches. I applaud your idea in general, but I go along with Revelator - I don't see anyone who is not already a Christian remotely wanting to play it. The plot needs serious massaging.

Oh, people also do not go to heaven & hug Jesus - the resurrection occurs en masse when He returns, not when we die. But that's another point.

That's my 2 cents, but don't worry, my bite's not bad at all ;0)

Christian

[This message has been edited by MeanManInOz (edited June 29, 2001).]

Peace in God,
-Veritech

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"If you even breathe a word of what you've heard here, I hope Gandalf will turn you into a spotted toad, and fill the garden full of grass-snakes" - "Fellowship of the Ring" by JRR Tolkien (p91)

Your idea sounds interesting, a little more work on it and you could gear it towards an outreach project. Good luck to you!

I believe that if someone with nothing but a Bible in his hand can convert someone with nothing but the pure gospel, then surely a Chtistian game with a pure gospel message could also get some people saved. The reality is that no one can even choose to be saved without God helping them (grrr I know there's a verse on this, I just can't find it right now!) Once you give them the gospel, it's pretty much God who does the rest of the work. So there MeanManInOz, that's my defense for Christian games.

†Caleb†

PS: So, your name is Christian then MeanManInOz? It'd be nice to be able to call you by your actual name than having to call you "MeanMan." I just want to be sure before I call you Christian though.

Welcome to the board!

Later,
the other Brian

briandra2

. 15:51 Listen,2 I will tell you a mystery: we will not all sleep,3 but we will all be changed- 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 15:53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 15:54 Now when this perishable puts on the imperishable, and this mortal puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will happen,
"Death has been swallowed up in victory."4
15:55 "Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?"5

and
15:22 For just as in Adam all die, so also all will be made alive in Christ. 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; then when Christ comes, those who belong to him

It's clear that the resurrection does not occur until Jesus returns. I know that the assumption of our loved ones being alive with Jesus right now is too comforting for anyone to even look at their Bibles and see what it says, but that is what it says. Why does Paul refer to people who have died over and again as being asleep if they are in reality awake on a cloud with a harp ?

You go for it. Even if you are the only one to get something out of the game you make, then it is worthwhile.

Everyone needs a good hobbie, and creating games is he best hobby I can think of.

Revelator!