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"The Passion of the Christ brought in $370 million at the box office. The Left Behind book series have sold over 63 million copies. And Christian Rock is growing more and more popular. But the video game industry has so far ignored the topic of religion. CNN/Money's Game Over column talked with game developers (including id Software CEO Todd Hollenshead and Diablo co-creator Bill Roper) about the reasons behind this - and asked them what sort of game they would make if they were creating one with a religious theme. The answers ranged from a Moses RPG to a faith-based MMO."

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I'm not endorsing the viewpoints of the article one way or the other, I'm just giving a discussion-starter. Cheers!

--clint

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http://www.includingjudas.com/christiangame.html

As would be expected, many of the comments to that story are flamebait or references to Simpson's "Billy Graham's Bible Blasters", so read with a *large* dose of salt.

Nevertheless, I found it an overall interesting read. Religion in video games is a topic that is definately gaining momentum, and just think -- we're on the crest of the wave.

--clint

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http://www.includingjudas.com/christiangame.html

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"Its one of those... Chevy vans..."
"Um, we do not have 24 hour road service"
"What? What do you mean? its not even dark yet!"
"We do not have 24 hour road service" - Audio Adrenaline

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Making games based on stories from the Bible, Torah, Koran or any religious scripture is a tricky affair, since many religious tales have little to do with the skills of man. So by having a player's choices affect the outcome of those stories, are you pushing aside a higher power?

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This is the problem if you want to take Biblical events and put them in to a game. What you could do is to take a story line that follows Bible exactly but the player would play in separate path not involving with the Biblical events.

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Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD keeps the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. - Psalms 127:1

And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. - Isa 32:17

[This message has been edited by Jari (edited July 08, 2005).]

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Fifield said he would use biblical stories as a framework. "The story of Moses has multiple decade long breaks in the text," he said. "Fill in those blanks and detail his rise to prominence in the Egyptian military, his wanderings and encounters in the wilderness and end the game with God's Judgment of Egypt and deliverance of the Hebrews through the Red Sea."

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That sounds like it could make an awesome game! It actually reminds me of Orion I'd like to see more games like those, and also more games that play on the different levels of the war that is taking place between good and evil. They don't have to be preachy with quoting scriptures and such, unless the target audience are Christians and your goal is to educate and strengthen the players knowledge and faith. Some games should be cute and fun if you want to provide something for the young Christian children to play that is not offensive or overly violent.

But I think that the games we are talking about are games that can rival Halo, and the Final Fantasy series in quality on every level, but that they glorify God. That is what I want to see. I think a good game would be one that is fun, tells a spectacular story, has cool characters, awesome CG sequences, and intense action, and perhaps even leaves the gamer open to more possibilities than he\she had before playing the game...

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What you could do is to take a story line that follows Bible exactly but the player would play in separate path not involving with the Biblical events.

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Yep! That is a very good approach to take as well. Or maybe the character could even take place in the Biblical events, but they don't know the main character too well. For example... I have a nice game idea that revolves around Ezekiel 16 It's not really preachy, (maybe unless you run into Ezekiel on your journey ) but I bet it could get some people interested in reading the book of Ezekiel. And it could also help others realize that God was Just in His actions against nations and peoples, like in the Old Testament. But also, to a person who is err... un-hearing, it'd just be a new RPG.

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If I were a drummer I would use a cymbal.
If I were a writer I would use a pencil.
I would use my voice if I were a singer.
No matter who or what we are we must praise.

[This message has been edited by brandon (edited July 08, 2005).]

As a christain and a *ahem-sucky* programmer, I still have some difficulties on making a christian game. Unfortuantly, i was (cursed?)born and/or made with the interest in firearms and for me its hard to incorporate firearms into christan games. However, i will strive to make a christain game (When A: I'm GOOD enough B: when i think of something that DONSN'T involve firearms) RPG's are easy to make chrisitan because its more like real-life than anything else. In an RPG you make your own desicions and such, and its... well... alot more easy to make christan (easier than say, and FPS or Sci-Fi shooter )

God will help us make games for him... he will, i know it.

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(yes, i know im stupid)
God rules!

Blessed are those who show mercy.
They will be shown mercy. - Matthew 5:7

Blessed are those who suffer for doing what is right.
The kingdom of hevan bleongs to them.-Matthew 5:10

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This is the problem if you want to take Biblical events and put them in to a game. What you could do is to take a story line that follows Bible exactly but the player would play in separate path not involving with the Biblical events.

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Interesting you mention that. Last August, Max and I started designing a game along these lines. It follows the book of acts and you actually "team up" with the characters from the bible. It is meant to be an linear style RPG, much like the early RPG games.

It actually would put an interesting twist on the ways christian games have been thought of. The only issue was how to make the game appeal to both audiences. I really would like to see something for christians to use as a learning tool, but also something that is appealing to secular audiences that makes them go "Hmmm...".

[This message has been edited by HeardTheWord (edited July 09, 2005).]

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Originally posted by Realm Master:
Unfortuantly, i was (cursed?)born and/or made with the interest in firearms and for me its hard to incorporate firearms into christan games. However, i will strive to make a christain game (When A: I'm GOOD enough B: when i think of something that DONSN'T involve firearms)

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When thinking about this question, we may find it helpful to consider how weapons and killing were in the Bible.

It's interesting to note that in all of the Bible, killing is necessary, but it's never really enjoyable. Killing always has consequences -- it would be interesting to see a violent video game with that in mind. As a Christian, how and why would you use firearms? Personally I believe that if I needed to, I would, but I don't know that I would enjoy it, nor would I enjoy living with the consequences -- but if it must be done, it must be done.

Hmm...

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God will help us make games for him... he will, i know it.

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Yaup.

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Originally posted by HeardTheWord:
I really would like to see something for christians to use as a learning tool, but also something that is appealing to secular audiences that makes them go "Hmmm...".

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I agree -- I think that's one of the biggest potentials "Christian" games can have in a secular market. So many secular music/books/games are incredibly shallow that they don't focus on anything outside of me and now. Just like Stacie Orrico's song "(There's Gotta' Be) More To Life", it's something that brings it up in the minds of people to think about things bigger than themselves.

--clint

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http://www.includingjudas.com/christiangame.html

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All that is gold does not glitter
Not all those who wander are lost

The old that is stong does not wither
Deep roots are not touched by the frost

From the ashes a fire shall be woken
A light from the shadows shall spring

Renewed shall be blade that was broken
And the crownless again shall be King

Maybe the biggest problem is that the goals that games have are all secular and awards are secular and Christians don't have such rewards in real life because they are unholy. Honor is one word that covers lot of these things that we should be able to replace. Because that's what games are all about to many people. Bride, power and other lustful things should be replaced and player's interests redirected. I was thinking about fantasy games now, that's we're I'm going to strike...
The plan is to create a game where people needs to work in a team in order to advance, instead of competition against each other. I think and hope that it "creates room" for the message when players are not charging for victory but exploring.

What do you think? How do we change people's interests?

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Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD keeps the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. - Psalms 127:1

And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. - Isa 32:17