GilliganCoder Junior Member Posts: 2 From: Oklahoma, USA Registered: 09-20-2001 |
I think this is my first post, in probably two or more years of membership, but this is the best place to post this question. I have been working on making a Mario platform game for about five years now. After all this time of restarting the project again and again, I finally am at the point where the game is making real progress. I am not sure whether or not I will release it over the internet, because most, if not all, of my resources (art, sounds, music, etc.) are possibly copyrighted. They were either ripped from emulators or downloaded. Regardless, if I find that I can distribute my game, which will be very similar to Super Mario World, only with all new levels & objects, I want to be able to use the game as a witnessing opportunity. I still find people playing the original Mario games today. I think people would play this game if it was good enough. So I want to teach them the simplicities of salvation while they are playing the game. I have considered some possibilities as follows; please realize that these may not be feasible, but are still only ideas: * coins spelling out phrases, like "Jesus Saves", or "God Loves You" * 'Mario World info blocks' with the Romans Road as the game progresses * very short, clear, but mandatory Intro/Conclusions with my testimony * short, appropriate dedication to Jesus at the game start I want to be careful with the right balance of gameplay vs. witnessing. This is not a Christian game; it is a Mario game. So it will not be very violent, but it isn't about the Bible. I just want to use the oppertunity to spread the Gospel to those who may not ever hear it, those who, like I was years ago, are completely engrossed in the computer world and care not for the things of God, but are hopelessly lost. If you have any ideas for either the witnessing potential of my game or for the game itself, please post them here. Also, feel free to email me at scottgilliamtbc@yahoo.com if you like. Thanks so much for reading this. His Servant, Scott Gilliam |
Imsold4christ Member Posts: 305 From: Gresham, OR, US Registered: 01-20-2001 |
Superb idea, but a couple comments: 1) Spelling out stuff with coins is lame. 2) Be realistic. Constantly ask yourself "Would I have been led to Christ through a game like this?" "Does this feature of the game make Christianity seem like it's only a little kid's religion?" I wish you the best. Be sure to pray often about it and seek guidance whenever possible. †Caleb† PS: Mario rocks. ------------------ |
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GilliganCoder Junior Member Posts: 2 From: Oklahoma, USA Registered: 09-20-2001 |
Well, after reading your comments, I guess I would have to agree that I should really take into account the manner I use to witness in the game. I want people to see salvation as something very real, not something to play with, so the ideas of coins and info blocks should definately be thrown out. I still like the idea of putting my personal testimony somewhere in the game, either as an extra menu option ("Extras...") or at the end of the game. A note from the author can be interesting to some. And that way they would realize the reality of the person behind the game, not the unreality of the game itself. I appreciate your concern in this matter. While it would be my hope that someone would be won to Christ through the game, it is simply not the expectation. But if a small seed is planted, something said that makes one think about eternity, God can water and grow the seed. In many original games, the credits, long and boring, were mandatory reading at the end of the game (you couldn't bypass them). Instead of long, boring credits, maybe a very short, clear testimony with God's plan of salvation could be included. Regardless, you have shown me that I need to consider the method of witnessing. It does make a difference. Any other comments from anyone are welcome. Thanks. |
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Imsold4christ Member Posts: 305 From: Gresham, OR, US Registered: 01-20-2001 |
testimonies = very good ------------------ |
zookey Member Posts: 1902 From: Great Falls, Montana, USA Registered: 04-28-2002 |
Hey dude whazzup---sometimes the 'planting a seed' idea works---ie only mention christianity a little bit and allow the game to plant a seed that God can later allow to become a full blossoming flower----------especially in a platform game--since those really have been weak on story and heavy on action----maybe have it have heavy christian architectural look to it (ie cool designed crosses every where, castles with stained glass pics of Jesus in the background)---things that would acclimate a neutral player to christianity--so when they hear about christians--they don't think about some overbearing pastor sending them to hell--they instead think of your game! good luck! ------------------ |
ArchAngel Member Posts: 3450 From: SV, CA, USA Registered: 01-29-2002 |
I always thought the christian game market is better suited for spiritual growth than ministry. ------------------ |
AmazingJas Member Posts: 437 From: Sydney, NSW, AUSTRALIA Registered: 04-03-2003 |
quote: I tend to agree here, unless you aim for the really young market. Little kids wouldn't be bothered by the lameness so much, and it might prompt questions. One thing that you might want to consider though, is that if you 'clone' the original gameplay too much, you open yourself up to legal challenges, even if it's not released commercially. Coincidentally, I've only recently taken my first spin with Mario Bros, which is quite embarrassing given that I'm a bit of a retro gaming buff. BTW, there is a select group of coders/artists dedicated to remaking the oldies, and we can normally be found at www.remakes.org |
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Imsold4christ Member Posts: 305 From: Gresham, OR, US Registered: 01-20-2001 |
quote: Ooo, that rings true in my heart too. †Caleb† ------------------ |
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MadProf Member Posts: 181 From: Larnaka, Cyprus Registered: 01-24-2001 |
Sounds very cool! I also agree about the coins (no!) and the testimony (yes!). With a mario type game, there probably isn't going to be much game-story or plot to bring in, although if it could be done elegantly, would be rather cool, so anyway, bringing a "christian" plot into the game probably would feel stilted. heh... I'm home-schooled, and the curriculum we mostly use is ACE, which is Christian. Too much at times. Even for us, who are christian and raised so. Things like in maths (at grade 9+ level) having comparisons between fractions and Gidion, or in Science having long stories scattered through the book about a guy named Sam (or something) and how he became a christian, and was transformed by Jesus, so some chemical reactions occur in the same way via a catylist. I guess these are true... kind of, but it feels very stilted, em, like "forced" in a sense. Just having a simple non-sickly dedication to Jesus, and then a short testimony, either in an about box, or at the end/beginning of the game would be very good, IMAO. Possibly with a URL or two in the about box for more info?? Dunno.. Anyway. I hope your project goes well! I like platform type games, and have written a few myself. (I even have a portable pygame/python engine I wrote sitting in my /home/daniel/src/ directory waiting for me to get some free time and motivation and make into a real game). God bless, Dan ------------------ |
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ArchAngel Member Posts: 3450 From: SV, CA, USA Registered: 01-29-2002 |
whoa, not to change the topic but, you're homeschooled too? sweet... our numbers are growing.. ------------------ |
