Christian Games...Anyone?

[Ozzie]

Well, I think it would be cool to make a spiritual game of some kind, a christian one or whatever.

I think I'm an agnostic more than anything else, kinda in the way like Ghost said, "I dislike god for not existing".
Religion is something I don't care at all about, but I kinda find the idea intriguing of believing in and serving a higher spirit, yeah, but since I can't believe in it it doesn't work.

Anyway, I thought The Apostle was a awful to awesome (depending on the scene) spiritual movie. The first half hour was terribly preachy and a conversion scene later on is just laughable. But it portrays the life of a pastor who helped to bring people together and build a peaceful community that's there for each other. It's not that good/evil though since earlier on he murdered some guy his wife had an affair with.

To return to topic: I think if you make your game interesting, humane and somehow manage to portray the nature of religious beliefs and faith without wanting to convert your audience then you might be on the right track in my opinion.
If you want to bring people together to work on a christian game than you need a clear vision, though. It's an intriguing outline, but it may need more, just saying.

[Dervish]

Really I started this thread becuase I wanted a way to get some believers in christianity who saw some potential in making christian games to come together and hopefully be able to produce something far better then I could come up with on my own.  I admit I did not come to the thread with a real since of any particular game but instead was hoping the others would be willing to start the true planning of a project together.  Anyway I would still be intersted to see if any more are out there.

[Akatosh]

Well, I have to say your setting DOES sound quite intruiging, but most people on these forums seem to be either atheists or agnostics (including myself), so you might have a hard
time finding "real" believers to help you. We'll be more than happy to assist you in improving your own work if you post over at the Critic's Lounge, though.

[Darth Mandarb]

I stayed out of the debate that fired up in this thread (and haven't read the entire thread thoroughly so forgive if I'm repeating anything) but I just wanted to let you know that I actually considered making an adventure game after I read the Left Behind series of books (slightly modified).

I think it could be pretty cool (and I'm not a religious person in the slightest) but I found the concept intriguing enough.

I wouldn't care to play a game that proselytizes (sp?) to me ... but more one that is just based on an idea like that.  Though the problem that I had with the Left Behind series was that even the bad guys never said more harsh language than "damn" and "shoot" which just totally blows its "real-world-this-is-actually-happening" thing for me.  The authors being religious types they didn't use the harsh (realistic) language as they should have (in my opinion).  I would make it very R rated.  I mean ... if you read some of the stuff from the bible it's not exactly PG rated ... there's some downright nasty shit in there.  And the rapture and tribulation aren't exactly kid material either.  Granted I put absolutely no faith/stock in Revelations and/or the Christian idea of Armageddon (the whole book as penned by John of Patmos was an indictment of the Roman empire and their persecution of early christians but that's a whole other debate )

Now if you're planning on making a game for kids to play in sunday school (or something) I think you'd still find an audience for it (though not likely me or the rest of the godless heathens here-abouts )  Though truthfully ... it seems to be the case that if you make a good Adventure Game people will play it.

[Snake]

Dervish, that sounded great. I'd definately want to play that game, like already stated, just because of the intro.

My family and wife's family are Catholic.
I on the other hand am not (but I'm not going to get into what I think about any religion because it's my opinion and really doesn't matter). Despite what I believe in, I've always loved to hear religious stories. I'm always interested and intrigued by people's different views.

The story you began to tell was very interesting and I hope you do something along those lines, it'll be one to look forward to.

Throw in a few zombies with your post-apocolypse theme and you've got a hit!

8)

[Stupot]

I came across this list quite accidentally and thought of this thread.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_video_games_by_release
Funnily enough, Darth, it seems there is already a Left Behind game.  It sounds God-awful though ('scuse the pun).

Dervish.  I've just (finally) started playing The Shivah. This game is Jewish, no doubt about it; the protagonist is a Rabbi and there are synagogues, Torahs and even a Yiddish ditionary.  But that's all really just the setting for what is basically a murder mystery - and a pretty good one at that.  It never alienates the non-Jew

I hope you follow Dave Gilbert's example, albeit with your own preferred brand of religion, and make a game that anyone can play, whatever their belief.  It can be dripping with Christianity for all I care, as long as I can still appreciate the story and the puzzles from a non-Christian perspective.

I like your post-apocalyptic setting and I'd be happy to play a game about another man's faith, as long as it doesn't judge my [lack of] faith.

[voh]

What I liked about The Shivah is that it gave an insight in Jewish customs and the main character, while a Rabbi, had his own (slightly skewed) issues with his personal religion, but it never tried to convert. The Judaism was just in the game, it was part of the setting - and with that, I didn't give it another thought and played what I consider to be a good game.

That's one route of going with religion in games, but there are others, and some are more open than others (less likely to alienate non-believers) and some are more closed in that sense (more aimed toward religious people but too religious for non-believers).

[Darth Mandarb]

Funnily enough, Darth, it seems there is already a Left Behind game.  It sounds God-awful though ('scuse the pun).

Yeah I have seen it.  It is GOD awful terrible  

That's the problem that I have with religious [type] games is they tend to be "tame" or "mild".  Not all I'm sure but the most I've seen.

The movie they made for Left Behind was just horrible!  I never had a lot of respect for Kirk Cameron anyway but holy hell it was horrible!  I don't know if they made more than one 'cause after I [attempted] to watch the first one I promptly lost any desire to see more.

[tombom62]

Heck, remember Spore? A bunch of angry atheists complained about it because the evolution in the game is god-controlled.

That said, good luck with the game. As a Christian myself, I wish there were some good Christian games out there (although "The Bible Game" could cross into so-bad-its-good territory) that weren't horrible.

That seems a little crazy for people to hate spore for that reason...  I also think a game of this type is a GREAT idea!  As also a Christian myself, I think it's a good thing, and there could be lots of stories from the bible that could be made into a game.  But I wouldn't want it to be too obvious that it's a Christian game, then it would have more players, and it could be a better game...  Like Triumph is a Christian Rock band, but they aren't a Christian Label, (same with U2)  Anyways, good luck!!


tombom

[GarageGothic]

I came across this list quite accidentally and thought of this thread. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_video_games_by_release

Oh my Flying Spaghetti Monster! How can that list be missing The Zoo Race game?

From the website:

After laughing and teasing her friend Rueben about believing in the Noah's Ark story, then Hannah the librarian has a dream about it.  In her dream, her friends are re-shaped into animals and she herself changes into a racehorse and participates in the race "Games of Celebration" after the world flood.  But, unknown to everyone, Noah's sons have created a lot of obstacles on the racetrack for the creatures.  These obstacles on the racetrack slow down the participants and include hurdles, glass mazes, Piranha fish, fire geysers, exploding barrels, rockets, cannons, bomber planes and more!  "Let's give them a real race, ha-ha!" said Japeth.  "Yes and let's have some fun!" said Shem and Ham, so beware, because this race is so very different.

Shareware demo at: http://www.zoorace.com/index.php

[Dervish]

I think the list on wikipedia further proves my point that a good christian game needs to be made. 

[tombom62]

Exactly 

Oh my Flying Spaghetti Monster!

lol, that made me laugh a little...

[Paper Carnival]

When you put the label "Christian" on something - be it a game, a band, a movie, a book - you are labeling it with something. Very often, this label bears the misconception of second-rate material. Sometimes it's true - there are many Christian bands that are cheap clones of secular bands. However, there are many truly amazing Christian bands that are unfortunately overlooked because of prejudice.

I don't like it when people refuse to listen to a band simply because it's Christian. If you really are as open minded as you believe you are, what's the problem??? Likewise, why refuse to play a Christian game just because it's Christian, if it's still fun?

If I, a Christian, could read and enjoy books as blatantly anti-Christian as Philip Pullman's Dark Materials trilogy, why can't an Atheist enjoy a Christian work of art?

Unless, of course, we are talking about this.

[tombom62]

Yeah, I totally agree, well said Paper Carnival

[RickJ]

Hi  Dervish,  I haven't been following the thread, just looked in a couple of times but I have a couple of comments you find helpful.

1.  I always enjoy movies about angels,devil,etc and people getting a second chance at life.   The 1953 movie "Beat the Devil" is an example I have recently viewed and enjoyed.   There are many many other examples of course.  I always get a bit of a lift and don't feel like I have been preached to.  So perhaps something of this nature would work as a game.

2.  There is also a new  (new to me anyway) Web TV Series "Stranger Things" that I enjoyed.  It's sort of a "Twilight Zone" type series but with some Christian/spirtual/religious content or context.  It ought to be enjoyable to anyone who likes science fiction.

3. I agree with the label thing mentioned above.   If you are speaking in public and want to make a joke, you don't first announce to the audience that you intend to tell a joke and that it is really funny;  you just tell it and if it's funny they laugh.   So instead of making a "Christian Game" make an adventure game where Christianity is involved  in the plot.   For example the main character could be a priest or something  and he is trying to solve a crime or murder.   As the game unfolds the character is developed and revealed to the player.  There would be a wealth of topic to explore such as what he did before becoming a priest, if he had ever doubted his faith, under what conditions would he be willing to use violence, etc, etc.   It would be a device that would allow you to explore a lot of topics without seeming to preach.

Anyway good luck and keep us upto date on your future project.

[tombom62]

Now that's a good idea if I've EVER heard one!  I know what I said earlier about the Rock Bands U2, and Triumph is that they are good examples, bands with Christian themes in their lyrics, but not presented a "Cristian" label music.  I think that's a great idea for a game.  And wish you luck

[paolo]

[...]

3. ...instead of making a "Christian Game" make an adventure game where Christianity is involved  in the plot.   For example the main character could be a priest or something  and he is trying to solve a crime or murder.

It really depends what the criteria are. If a game involving Christian churches and Christian priests counts as a Christian game, then The Cardinal Sins is certainly a Christian game. If you are just going for good triumphing over evil, then almost any game could be considered as a Christian game, and (spoiler warning re The Cardinal Sins)

Spoiler

by that yardstick, The Cardinal Sins is not a Christian game.

[close]

[SSH]

Indeed, paolo. I don't think anyone would try and claim the Da Vinci Code as a Christian game...

[RickJ]

I didn't say that it would automatically become a Christian game.  I said that it could be used as a literary device that would allow someone to explore Christian issues, values, etc without coming across as bible school.   In any adventure game the player is immersed in the main character's world and gets to see things through that character's eyes. If the main character is a pirate then the player see things from a pirate's point of view and interacts with the game world the way a pirate would.  Presumably the same would be true for any profession including a religious vocation of some sort.

It would of course be up to the game designer to decide how much of a Christian game to make of it. 

I think another interesting aspect of doing a project like this is the possibility of addressing hot button issues that are difficult to be discussed because of the intense emotions attached to such issues.   Classical philosophers used a similar technique where they would use a dialogue between two characters to argue both sides of an issue.  The reader is a neutral bystander and does not feel pressured, by the author, to adopt one side of the argument or the other.  This is what got Galileo in trouble;  apparently the pope was one of the characters in his dialogue about the center of the solar system and was made to look like a fool.