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Christian Videogame Alternatives Explored

Posted by simoniker on from the bad-dudes-versus-religion-power dept.

Thanks to the TNL forum regulars for pointing to a CBN article discussing the most suitable videogames for Christians (Google cache). The article discusses the "extreme violence, gratuitous sex, and satanic imagery found in many children's video games", and focuses instead on Christian-orientated games such as Ominous Horizons, where "the player takes on the role of a 15th-century Christian who fights demons, but without any blood or gore. The forces of evil - instead of dying - fall to their knees and pray." This N-Lightning-developed game has the player working as a medieval Paladin to return the Gutenberg Bible, which has been stolen by forces of evil, and the developer explains: "..you have a sword of the Spirit.. [that] shoots a burst of light which vaporizes any demonic opponents and the end result is that you know Christ is victorious."

7 of 198 comments (clear)

  1. Not clear on the concept... by joelja · · Score: 3, Interesting
    Ok so demons, and swords and paladins. And they die cause they're filled with the light of the spirit? Great that's so different than any other videogame.

    There and plenty of games in the marketplace, that actually aren't violent and don't require massive killing or demons, or satanism or whatever.

    I blew a significant portion of my flight (9 hours) back to the United States last week. playing simcity 3000, and frozen bubble, a classic console stle game that's more addictive than crack cocaine... http://www.frozen-bubble.org/

    I would hold out both games as examples of what gaming is and should be all about, Entertaining diversions.

  2. I don't think there is a need... by xyrw · · Score: 5, Interesting

    ...for `Christian' videogames. Or `Christian' movies.

    I am speaking a Christian-- specifically, an evangelical, relatively conservative Christian.

    A faith that cannot deal with death, violence, evil and malice is impratical-- our world is fallen. A faith that does not endeavour to accept sinners is arrogant. And a faith that is impractical and arrogant is not faith-- it is a crutch, a psychological dependence on superiority; it is not transforming, not understanding, not gentle, not strong, not uplifting-- it is not meaningful.

    Is there evil in a videogame? Well, then, it is a reflection of our world. Surely there will be truth in the game as well! It is of paramount import that one knows how to recognise and dwell on good, and reject evil. Adults should know how to do this; children should be taught.

    It's not about teaching people what to do, or how to act. It's about the meaning of their acts, and of the acts that they witness; though the topic of the day is religion, this is true of most things. In short: adults, behave responsibly; children, learn how to.

    (You know, we could do away with a lot of legislation if people just behaved decently (or made the effort to).)

    1. Re:I don't think there is a need... by RailGunner · · Score: 4, Interesting
      xyrw, I can't agree with you about there not really being a need for Christian games. I'm personally worried about the motives behind a lot of "Christian" media, it seems that a lot of companies are just churning out absolute crap, saying that it's Christian, and reaping the profits.


      But that's not to say there wouldn't be a value in a well written, well designed, Christian-themed game. If the game made the player really think about the consequences of their actions, and NOT just the eternal consequences, then there could be value in the game. Or, if the game presented a compelling Gospel based storyline, maybe on one of the "minor" characters such as Nicodemus or Joseph of Aramathea, I think a game would be a good way to present the Christian message.


      Unfortunately, thus far "Christian" games have just been utter crap. I'd be embarassed if I was the company that produced "Bible Adventures" or other unplayable NES crapware. But, one can always hope that someone with talent will develop a good Christian game... there are popular licenses such as Veggie Tales that could be made into an entertaining game suitable for kids.


      I'd also say that there is a need for Christian movies. Movies such as "Jesus of Nazareth", "King of Kings", even "Ten Commandments" and "Prince of Egypt" (lest we forget or Jewish roots) can reach audiences that otherwise might not experience the message of Christianity.


      However, I think we'd agree that unfortunately too many Christians want to hide behind Christian media and not deal with the fact the we do live in an ugly, brutal, fallen world.

  3. Ummm... by Shishio · · Score: 3, Interesting
    working as a medieval Paladin to return the Gutenberg Bible
    I'm not very religious, but I thought Gutenberg came after the medieval period. Also, didn't the Catholic Church oppose the vernacular printings of the Bible, instead of sending Paladins out to guard it? Oh well, maybe these games are just trying to be as historically inaccurate as the rest of the gaming world.
    --
    Twelve fingers or one, its how you play. ~Gattaca (Vincent)
  4. Does it really send a Christian message? by jensend · · Score: 3, Interesting

    It's not mostly about the amount of violence and sex in the game, it's about the message which the game tries to send. The situation is very much the same as with books- Dostoyevsky's The Brothers Karamazov depicts a world with plenty of violence and sex but sends a strong message of faith. As plenty of others have pointed out, the Bible is the same way. There are plenty of books with little or no violence or sex which nevertheless broadcast a message of nihilism, selfishness, and immorality.

    As far as I can tell, these games don't really send any message at all (unless it's that missionary work, even among demons, is ridiculously easy, just point and zap), much less one of true faith. If you're going to be playing a FPS which is designed not to send any message, you might as well enjoy it and have it be Serious Sam (with the 'hippie gore' option turned on if you prefer lower levels of blood, etc) :)

  5. Re:The Bible? by floydigus · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The difference between the violence in the Bible and the extreme violence you see in *some* of today's video games, is that in the former, it's painfully (no pun intended) obvious that the violence is wrong and there are concequences, often very serious.

    From The Bible, 2 Kings 2:23-24:

    "And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them"

    Yup, I would say that being torn apart by she bears because you told old baldy to 'go up' was fairly serious.

    --

    All things in moderation; including moderation

  6. Re:What is christian? by witte · · Score: 4, Interesting

    "Europe's glorious spiritual heritage is quickly fading into history as Christianity is replaced by Islam and atheism."

    This guy obviously have no idea what he is talking about.

    Most Europeans are finally getting rid of religion, be it Christianity or Muslim.
    We consider this progress.

    Meanwhile we see the United States seemingly being overrun by conservative christian establisment. In my perception, this makes the US a "dark place".

    Religion is fine if you don't understand your world or are too afraid to face reality. But don't impose your rightwing christian visions on others. Or on Europe for that matter.

    Dang, I hate religious zealots. Sorry for trolling.