Video Games for the Soul

With the raging brouhaha over sex and violent video games, the question that came to us is do we really have any choices out there that meet Jack Thompson’s stamp approval but without going into Brain games territory. Jack Thompson, as many gamers know by now, is a leading crusader against mixing violent, sexy video games with young gamers, with Grand Theft Auto at the top of his No- Way- You’re- Getting- This- For- Christmas- Before- Your- First- Shave, -Junior list.

The man has his reasons. “Sex and violence centers of the brain overlay one another, which is why the increasing mix of sex and violence is troubling. Armies have been known to go on rape rampages after battles because the violence stimulates sexual aggression. How lovely that GTA weds sex and violence in the same game. We are training a generation of teens to combine sex with violence, just what America needs,” he said in an interview with CBS GameCore. In the same interview he cited the testimony of six major health care organizations before Congress regarding the hundreds of studies that prove the link between playing violent video games and violent behavior.  

We are not saying Jack is right.  We’re not saying he’s wrong. We are saying there are indeed action-oriented video games out there minus blood, gore and cleavage. Yes, we’re talking about Christian Games – the kind Jesus would play if they had video games 2000 years ago.  And one more thing, Pat Roberston didn’t bribe us with eternal life to write this article. If we had any source materials for video games for other religions we’d be doing that, too. We have here a short list of currently availalable games as well as upcoming titles that might end up in your prayers tonight.

With the raging brouhaha over sex and violent video games, the question that came to us is do we really have any choices out there that meet Jack Thompson’s stamp approval but without going into Brain games territory. Jack Thompson, as many gamers know by now, is a leading crusader against mixing violent, sexy video games with young gamers, with Grand Theft Auto at the top of his No- Way- You’re- Getting- This- For- Christmas- Before- Your- First- Shave, -Junior list.

The man has his reasons. “Sex and violence centers of the brain overlay one another, which is why the increasing mix of sex and violence is troubling. Armies have been known to go on rape rampages after battles because the violence stimulates sexual aggression. How lovely that GTA weds sex and violence in the same game. We are training a generation of teens to combine sex with violence, just what America needs,” he said in an interview with CBS GameCore. In the same interview he cited the testimony of six major health care organizations before Congress regarding the hundreds of studies that prove the link between playing violent video games and violent behavior.  

We are not saying Jack is right.  We’re not saying he’s wrong. We are saying there are indeed action-oriented video games out there minus blood, gore and cleavage. Yes, we’re talking about Christian Games – the kind Jesus would play if they had video games 2000 years ago.  And one more thing, Pat Roberston didn’t bribe us with eternal life to write this article. If we had any source materials for video games for other religions we’d be doing that, too. We have here a short list of currently availalable games as well as upcoming titles that might end up in your prayers tonight.

Still there?  Contrary to what most people think, Christian video games are nothing like the ones Ned Flanders lets his sons play. Not all of them, anyway. Thanks to the Christian Game Developers Foundation, a nonprofit organization that aims to deliver quality game experience. Preaching, according to the group is “the last thing we want to do.” As far as the group is concerned, gamers “don’t really necessarily need intestines hanging on a doorknob” to enjoy a video game.

Right now, most Christian video games are limited to PCs and the PS2 platform, but many companies have raised enough money to start developing two next-generation games for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 within the next 12 months. The  first game could be along side GTA as early as fall 2007.

Left Behind: Eternal Forces (MMORPG, Left Behind Games)
Based on the highly successful Left Behind books (60 million copies sold), this real-time, online multi-player strategy video game was inspired by Rise of Nations and Warcraft III. The difference, of course, is that it has less guts and more glory (to God). Set in Post-Rapture NYC, the angelic Tribulation Forces are up against the demonic Global Community Peacekeepers (formerly known as the United Nations!). Rapture, by the way, isn’t a rap group. It is an event described in the Bible when true Christians will be swept up into Heaven by God.

The goal is to save those left behind Gamers will participate in events featured  in book series (approximately 40 missions) in the single player mode and battle to capture territory from other players in the multi-player online game mode. The single-player mode can only be played as the good guys, but you can choose sides in multi player. Newsweek described its violence factor to be on the same level as GTA and Jack Thompson agrees. “It breaks my heart to realize that the culture has basically transformed the church rather than the church confronting the culture and trying to transform it,” Thompson said. But Left Behind Games described it as “Star Wars violence.” We’ll let the gamer decide. LB: Eternal Forces is due this coming Christmas.

Catechumen (PC, N’Lightning Software, $17.95)
In this first person action/adventure PC game your goal is to defeat the forces of evil and rescue your brethren held deep in the bowels of Earth. As you descend  into the depths of the underworld, your journey will take you into the domain of Satan. Each level is unique with secrets you must uncover.

As far as arsenals go, you have eight spiritual weapons to choose from: lightning sword, drill sword, explosive staff and more. Hey, wait a minute, these weapons sound like they’re designed for eviscerating the bad guys. Well, they’re not. Take the Sword of the Spirit. With your Sword of the Spirit in hand, you must confront the demons head on and show them nothing can overcome the power of the Holy Spirit. “Take up this quest and fight for the Lord!” is your battlecry and faith is your main weapon. When your faith gets too low, you can pick up the many scrolls scattered across the lands to renew your strength and continue your journey. The forces of evil and darkness will claim a great victory if you fail to rescue the hostages in distress.  

Too Sunday School?  USA Today said the game “deftly matches its secular counterparts challenge for challenge and thrill for thrill.” GamesDomain said Catechumen “proves you don’t need blood and guts for a great game.”  This game sold 80,000 copies worldwide since its 2001 release.

Light Rangers (PC, Brethren Entertainment, $29.99)
Maniac Braniac and his band of angel bashers  (Vanna Vanity, Dr. Nono, Fast Forward and Mimi Me, and Me Two) are on the loose  They’re out to fill the minds of the children of Angeltown with “worldly messages.” 

Through the game’s featured heroes (Amos, AJ and Angel), you must defeat each villain and bring peace back to Angeltown using your keen wit, quick reflexes and your knowledge of the good book. In this PC game you get to shoot bubblegum bubbles ala Space Invaders and collect Bibles along the street Pac-Man style. According to its developers Light Rangers will teach gamers wisdom, humility,  patience, obedience, and a “fun way to increase bible memory and knowledge”.

The Rebel Planet Chapter One: Orion (PC/Xbox, Rebel Planet)
This action-RPG game is set before the Great Flood of Noah, a world as mysterious as any secular fantasy make-believe land. In Chapter One, Adam is an older man, hardened by centuries of suffering as a result of the sin he brought upon the world. Orion (based on the biblical Enoch), a young lieutenant, must bring Adam’s faith and hope back. Due this year, the game features include:

• Seven huge levels
• A vast world to explore filled with quests, creatures, friends and villains
• A living breathing ecosystem
• Dynamic day/night cycles
• An advanced weather system
• State of the art physics engine
• Advanced particle system delivers stunning special effects
• High polycount character models expertly animated
• A deep fictional history underlies a rich storyline waiting to be discovered
• Characters whose physical, psychological and spiritual health and attributes can be developed
• Non-Player Characters with a life of their own based on AI

 (PC, Wisdom Tree, $19.95)
Spiritual Warfare has been described as one of the best Christian games, ever. The story follows a Christian, who is sent out to defeat the demonic powers afflicting the city.

The hero goes through parks, warehouses, and beaches to collect the full armor of God. Naturally, the journey is full of unsavory characters and obstacles that stretches the limit of one’s faith. Correctly answering Bible questions help restores health and strengthen the spirit.

Exodus: The Journey to the Promised Land (PC/Game Boy, Wisdom Tree, $29.95)
This is an action/puzzle game featuring Moses. There are 100  levels featuring mazes and other obstacles to faith. Your weapon is the famous staff and the spoken Word of God. Your calling is to defend yourself against your enemies including magicians, taskmasters, PharaohÂ’s soldiers, weaknesses of man, hardened hearts, and other devices that challenge the character of God. Along the way, you  can pick up Holy oil, the armor of God, greater faith, and more stuff like that.