A Successful Christian Game

[Digit]

Heyas, first post in this forum.

I have been wondering for a little while now, how one would create a successful Christian computer game. One that would appeal to both Christians, and non-believers, as a method of entertaining, and but also explaining and teaching people who would otherwise not have an open mind to Christianity.

I work in a game studio at the moment as a Game Designer myself, and have been jotting some ideas down. Recently another studio has released a game based on the Left Behind series. I haven't played it myself, but I keep wondering what components of a game would lend themselves to Christianity. I am interested to hear both from Christians on what they would like to see, what they believe would make a good game mechanic, what books/stories in the Bible would translate well into a game medium and also what they do not want to see. From non-believers I would be interested to hear about the things they enjoy in games, what they like to see, and what would make them consider playing a Christian themed game, knowing what they do currently about the religion. In addition, from the non-believers, what aspects would immediately make them discount playing the game.

Your thoughts on a well-presented post card please.

Cheers!
Digit

 

[Blee]

There will never ever be such a game because a game to be loved by all will never ever exist.

 

[Digit]

I don't think successful and loved by allare the same thing really. Definitely not what my intent would be should I ever get to make such a game.

Digit

 

[peanutbutter12]

It wouldn't even be successful. Look at this new Left Behind game. A lot of Christians shun it because of content and the rest won't touch it because it's a Christian game. That's even without giving an actual review on what a horrible game it is. :\

CJ

 

[Psalms34]

Your thoughts on a well-presented post card please.

Eh, imo the LB game was not that great. Not really referring to the graphics, but they started off from the beginning at a compromise. The books were good, good fiction mixed with eschatology, I like the series but the game was far below caliber at least from my prospective.

Early on in their development, they stressed the point that they were trying to make a game that was not “preachy” and that would appeal to non-Christians, but as always it turns out to be a watered down result. I mean really, some people are just not going to like a Christian game no matter what (sadly among some “Christians” as well), they just prefer the things of the world and are offended by anything that shines light into their darkness so they avoid it and throw out blind criticism out of spite.

Well they used the word preachy, I prefer to use the word “meaty” as in the meat of the word. Non-believers are just not going to grasp that, they are not in tune with the things of the spirit, so no matter how much the game is watered down it just won’t click for them even if it’s just pure milk. So to make a game to try to appeal to both groups means you miss the mark two-fold. So you wind up with some players that would rather just uninstall the game (or not buy it) and play something like GTA while the others find the game not really geared to their interest being mature Christians.

That’s my take on it, not saying it is not worth trying, but it’s not going to be easy to make a Christian game that appeals to everyone while keeping the games spiritual maturity level up to appeal to Christians. Less successful maybe, as they usually turn out, but if that is your true desire to make such a game than that is what you should do.

 

[Digit]

It wouldn't even be successful. Look at this new Left Behind game. A lot of Christians shun it because of content and the rest won't touch it because it's a Christian game. That's even without giving an actual review on what a horrible game it is. :\

CJ

That's exactly right! My question is what would make it successful. The current game industry doesn't merge very well with Biblical teachings, for example violent games and so on. And in addition, you cannot make a successful Christian game, and then have a large portion of Christians shun it. That too isn't successful.

What would, in your opinion, be a good stage for a Christian themed game?

Digit

 

[Digit]

Eh, imo the LB game was not that great. Not really referring to the graphics, but they started off from the beginning at a compromise. The books were good, good fiction mixed with eschatology, I like the series but the game was far below caliber at least from my prospective.

Early on in their development, they stressed the point that they were trying to make a game that was not “preachy” and that would appeal to non-Christians, but as always it turns out to be a watered down result. I mean really, some people are just not going to like a Christian game no matter what (sadly among some “Christians” as well), they just prefer the things of the world and are offended by anything that shines light into their darkness so they avoid it and throw out blind criticism out of spite.

Well they used the word preachy, I prefer to use the word “meaty” as in the meat of the word. Non-believers are just not going to grasp that, they are not in tune with the things of the spirit, so no matter how much the game is watered down it just won’t click for them even if it’s just pure milk. So to make a game to try to appeal to both groups means you miss the mark two-fold. So you wind up with some players that would rather just uninstall the game (or not buy it) and play something like GTA while the others find the game not really geared to their interest being mature Christians.

That’s my take on it, not saying it is not worth trying, but it’s not going to be easy to make a Christian game that appeals to everyone while keeping the games spiritual maturity level up to appeal to Christians. Less successful maybe, as they usually turn out, but if that is your true desire to make such a game than that is what you should do.

Yeah I hear what you are saying. That is my take on it too. The thing is, many of the Biblical stories are epic in scope, with some of the most amazing miracles ever. Surely there must be a way to wind a game around some of those, that would appeal to both sides.

I mean, what is at the root of non-believers not liking Christian games. Because they think it isn't true? Well, GTA isn't true either... why do they like that?

Digit

 

[WingsOfTheNeophyte]

What would, in your opinion, be a good stage for a Christian themed game?

Sims style

With yourself as God

Trying to get people to love you.....

 

[peanutbutter12]

What would, in your opinion, be a good stage for a Christian themed game?

A non-existent one.

You pretty much just answered your own question.

CJ

 

[serephim01]

Sorry but it won't happen...as closed minded as many people think we christians are, they are too closed minded to allow such a game to even exist. Look how much christianity is shunned on Tv or life because people don't like feeling like they are being proseletyzed. Let alone in a game....people play games to escape and go into a world and not be bothered by such Ideals...but who knows it might find a group of people that are willing to play it. I for one would play Postal 2 or Half-life before I play LB but my opinions do not reflect the same as the gaming community......mebe if you made a christian FPS if that's even possible...lol just kidding....that would be bad.

 

[Sketcher]

I'm not sure, but if I had to guess who would have the best idea of anybody it would be Sid Meier. I recently found out he's a Lutheran, and as we all know he knows how to make good games. I think if a good Christian game is going to be made, we need to think outside the "action" box.

One thing I can tell you with certainty is that you shouldn't try to sell stuff with your game like Left Behind did. People find that annoying.

 

[Psalms34]

Well, GTA isn't true either... why do they like that?

GTA? graphic violence, sexual content, drug use, strong graphic language, sexual themes, carjacking, negative portrayal of ethnic groups (specifically Cubans and Haitians). It does not matter if it is "true" or not, that is just the stuff the world is attracted to. I think many people really underestimate that fact; whether it is a true story or fiction it is still represents something that exists or can be done, people don't play for the story but to act out fantasies or make new ones. People think it does not effect them in any way, but they are wrong, and the world eats it up.

Why not Christian games? They don't want to be reminded that there is a God. They want to think and dream in darkness and when exposed to light they are offended. It is a recurring message through the NT. Even if there is a bit of Christianity in a game they notice and turn away from it and want nothing to do with it. Games, movies, books or any form of media, it usually gets the same results. Now that does not mean that Christian games cannot be successful, look at some of the recent major Christian films to clean up at the box office, and many people do want to see good Christian games. But what if The Passion of the Christ had characters like Yoda in it or maybe Storm Troopers? Would it have appealed to Christians in such a dramatic way and drawn the positive criticism of the industry? Nah, it would have been a flop.

But as I said, that does not mean you cannot try if you think you really have a good formula. Personally I’m not worried about it, I just do what I want to do and try to please God, to me that is what counts. If the world wants to add my work to the Wikipedia under the controversial game list with LB for having Christian content than so be it, if they want to not say anything at all and it is purely an underground game than God will still provide. Heck, it’s getting harder to just find family friendly games any longer, it’s all about shock value and weird religions (i.e. Pantheism, Occult, Wiccan etc…) because it is void of Christ so that is what they make, even some/many people that go to a Christian Church seem to support it whole heartedly which supports more of it to be made. At least LB had one thing right, we are in the last days, I agree.

 

[serephim01]

Faith Warrior you raise a good point...as I want to make video games and do comics and cartoons as well...Even if they dont appeal to everyone they WILL always appeal to a small minority and thats still worth the effort of trying to put one quality and morally correct game out there...that doesn't mean I will stop playing M rated games but I will always be willing to play christian games as well...went a little off topic there sorry

 

[peanutbutter12]

Passion of the Christ was so successful because it was so controversial, violent, and a story about Jesus. The story was enough to get the Christians to go see it, and it was violent enough to get people talking about it and opened the door for others to get interested in it. Big difference there between that and Christian gaming because if you put a violent Christian game on the market, it would be a quick flop as it would be shunned by the Christian public.

CJ

 

[TwistTim]

Could you make one? Define Success.

1,000,000 copies sold/distributed around the nets?

or even 1 soul saved?

it seems your looking at market sales as your indicator of good/bad

while that is true of secular games, it doesn't have to be the standard you go by.

What Genre would be good? umm RPG's are satan's handy work.... FPS leads to killing, Life Sims are not good because you play God, and it on goes, you can find a wacko standing against every genre, except flight sims, because those are simple games that just challange you to fly a plane, nothing else.(provided theres no flight attendant to fawn over, that would be sin and make the whole genre heretical)

That's your idea, make a flight sim about the Rapture... avoid those who get Raptured, and listen to a Sermon about how to get saved, make it though the skies, and get saved before the Sermon ends....

yeah, see that wouldn't do any good either, becuase it wouldn't sell...

so just do what your going do, put it out there, and let it be as it well....

Just make sure it's your best work, and not something you skimp on...

Do the Work as unto the Lord, even if it just sits on a shelf.

 

[Psalms34]

it seems your looking at market sales as your indicator of good/bad

while that is true of secular games, it doesn't have to be the standard you go by.

What Genre would be good? umm RPG's are satan's handy work....

Nah, you just don’t like RPG’s, there are Christian RPG’s both in videogame format as well as P&P. RPG is probably the best format imo for a Christian game, especially if you want to convey a message.

I think the op was referring to a successful game that is accepted by both Christians and non-Christians, in that he is referring to sales. Sales are important, otherwise the developers cannot payback the investment for making the game which often takes years to produce and a lot of money. Most people have families and need to buy food, shelter, clothing, transportation and medicine for their families. Beyond that a successful game raises money to invest into another game once the first is out of the red and making a profit.

So deciding on the type of game is very important for most developers, beyond making a java game or something easy. Sadly, often when developers try to get a census of what Christians would like in a game, often in forums you get the outspoken people that just attack it on every level and this can cause developers to question making such a game since it does take a lot of time and investment to develop it; it‘s a gamble. This is probably one of the toughest forums on the net in that respect (CF Gamers zone), this is the only forum that has caused me to put people on an ignore list in regards to some of the things that have been outright said against Christian games from some posters… some Christians.

 

[TwistTim]

that was called Sarcasm... I was being the voice of overacting well meaning Christians out there that judge every genre, I forgot my {<sarcasm>} and {</sarcasm>} tags....

I hope he didn't ignore me, before he reads my response.

There's a great RPG for Christians out there, Dragon Raid, it's about being a soul winner, a twice born going into the land of once borns.... I'd love to see a computer game made of it(currently it's a paper and pencil thing)

RPG might be the best format, it depends on what you want to convey and how you want your players to encounter your messages....

I did say wacko above to show I don't agree with those statements, do whatever you feel led to do, because it's the right genre for your game, not because it's the most popular genre at the time of starting... by the time you finish it might be a washed out over played genre....

 

[Psalms34]

that was called Sarcasm... I was being the voice of overacting well meaning Christians out there that judge every genre, I forgot my {<sarcasm>} and {</sarcasm>} tags....

I hope he didn't ignore me, before he reads my response.

There's a great RPG for Christians out there, Dragon Raid, it's about being a soul winner, a twice born going into the land of once borns.... I'd love to see a computer game made of it(currently it's a paper and pencil thing)

RPG might be the best format, it depends on what you want to convey and how you want your players to encounter your messages....

I did say wacko above to show I don't agree with those statements, do whatever you feel led to do, because it's the right genre for your game, not because it's the most popular genre at the time of starting... by the time you finish it might be a washed out over played genre....

Hmm? Nah I didn&#8217;t have any problem with what you said, it&#8217;s nothing like that. I didn&#8217;t get the idea that you were saying like (it&#8217;s been said before) &#8220;Christian Games suck! I&#8217;d never play a Christian game no matter what!&#8221; blah blah stuff. But you were being just sarcastic about RPG&#8217;s? hah ok I missed that, I didn&#8217;t take it personal or anything like that though, I wasn&#8217;t mentioning about the ignore thing from anything you said, mo worries.

But yeah I agree, it depends on the right genre for the game, even an RTS or shooter style game could be done, I&#8217;m sure.

 

[WPZanar07]

You've gotten my Writer side interested, now. You could do something in the lines of RPG, but not like magic and stuff. I dunno, you'd have to add something to it to make it playable, but I'm thinking you could follow the story of a youth, and ooh! I know! One minute he'll be fighting in a world of magic, and the next he'll be in real life. He'll have to search for answers as he tries to extricate himself from this deadly circle of reality/fantasy, and ultimately figure out which is the true reality. Go from there, and you might have a great game, and you should have reflections of the real world (like his real experiences altered into the experiences of his fantasy self).

 

[Digit]

Ok, I can't quote-reply here as I wanted to respond to many different posts. Or... I could but I am lazy-ish today.

In regards to GTA, it has those things you mentioned (sex, violence, drugs etc) yes. However I feel the content of the game, is not related to why people play it. Why it's successful. GTA had an awesome story, it had a massive free-roaming world, it had tons of mini-games and side-quests, and an excellent soundtrack. Driving around was just plain fun, in and of itself. Getting a hooker and replenishing your stamina was that fun? I think the most I got out of it was a sort of bemused snort, wondering what the point of it was. GTA also has severe consequences for your actions. I mean, you break the law, the cops come after you.

But anyhow, my main point is that it doesn't necessarily need to be true to be enjoyed. ie The fact that we Christians think it is true, and that you non-believers don't, is irrelevant to the actual enjoyment of a game in a good setting, with good game dynamics. There are other factors in GTA for sure, and not everyone will approach it as I did.

Breaking the mold of boring Christianity, and the media stereotypes of our faith is something that can easily be done in this kind of industry, however I'm wondering what gamers truly get enjoyment from in a game, and if sticking "Christian" on the front of it, would suddenly set the enjoyment counter to zero, what the reason is for that?

Recently I have been toying with the idea of using the armour of God in a game setting. I think it lends itself very well to a common genre and can be implimented in various ways.

Digit