Praise the Lord for Left Behind
March 2, 2006 by Ingrid Diaz
Filed under Gaming
The New York Times published an article about Left Behind: Eternal Forces a new video game by Christian game developer Digital Praise. The premise of the game is simple: convert the non-believers before they get sent to the fiery pits of Hell.
The game is based off of the Left Behind books which have sold over 60 million copies worldwide. The game developers are confident that the game will appeal to the books’ fans as well as to the non-believers. “‘People who don’t care about Christianity love these stories,’” said Mr. Lyndon, chief executive of Left Behind Games, as he demonstrated the game in New York recently. “‘You recruit the neutrals and persuade them to come to your side.’”
That sounds … riveting.
Their hope for the game is to do just what the game itself is doing: convert non-Christians into Christians by carrying the word of God through gameplay.
The game is being initially relased for PC. But no worries, Digital Praise promises that by 2008, Left Behind will be available for the Xbox and PlayStation. Hm. Perhaps Jesus was on the Xbox 360 as a promotional stunt for the game?
You never know.
Currently, Christian-themed games account for only 1% of the gaming industry market, but those in the business are hopeful that sales will pick up as popularity for Christianity-themed games grows.
Digital Praise’s most popular game to date is Dance Praise, where you dance to Christian music on a dance pad. Why didn’t they just call it Praise Praise Revolution?
Other games in their repertoire include: Adventures in Odyssey, Light Rangers, and Hermie and Friends. All of them promise wholesome, God-approved fun for the entire family.
And finding the balance between conflict — an element crucial to every game — and good clean fun is not easy. “I think by and large most of us feel like we’re doing the Lord’s work,” said Robert Anderson, president of Cactus Game Design, a Christian gaming company in Hayesville, N.C. “We’re willing to make sacrifices to do it.”
[photo and news via The New York Times]
I admire their enthusiasm, really I do. But you have to wonder how “fun” a game like that would be for someone above the age of 10. Not to be condescending or anything. But I think most people, even those of the Christian persuasion would kinda roll their eyes and go “Oh boy” upon playing the game.
Hmmmm..
Well for one, the persuading neutrals to fight for you is actually a cool idea and probably is just a tiny part of the game that is called “resource gathering” – like gathering crystals in C&C or getting gold in WC3 was that “fun to watch”
This game is a Strategy RTS WAR GAME (did you forget that bit?) and it involves war and players can take the role of Good or Evil (didnt mention that eiher did ya?) and you also can play multiplayer that way.
Its going to feature a lot of violence and gore as well. I read a far better article on this upcoming game in a magazine called “Computer Gaming World”
I think the author either A: Hates Christianity and wants to make Christians look bad or B: Totally forgot about 95% of the game.
Hmmmmmm.
I was actually going by the article I read on the New York Times on the subject, which only mentioned the recruiting aspect. I went to the main website and found little else on the game, though you’re right, it’s an RTS which makes it far more interesting as a video game than I was originally led to believe.
Just as a note: I don’t hate Christianity, as I am a Christian. But as a Christian, I’m not entirely sure that a “WAR GAME” that features “a lot of violence and gore” is really a “Christian” thing.
It’s a game. It may turn out to be an awesome video game, but it’s just a game. You can put angel wings on the cover, but don’t try to convince me that God is endorsing this venture.
That said, I was covering the New York Times article on the subject. It wasn’t meant to be a review of the game, as I haven’t played it. It was mainly a mention of the game and a general overview of the Christian gaming market as it stands.
Thanks for your comments. :)
This statement is posted from an employee of Left Behind Games on behalf of Troy Lyndon, our Chief Executive Officer.
There has been in incredible amount of MISINFORMATION published in the media and in online blogs here and elsewhere.
Pacifist Christians and other groups are taking the game material out of context to support their own causes. There is NO “killing in the name of God” and NO “convert or die”. There are NO “negative portrayals of Muslims” and there are NO “points for killing”.
Please play the game demo for yourself (to at least level 5 of 40) to get an accurate perspective, or listen to what CREDIBLE unbiased experts are saying after reviewing the game at http://www.leftbehindgames.com/pages/controversy.com
Then, we’d love to hear your feedback as an informed player.
The reality is that we’re receiving reports everyday of how this game is positively affecting lives by all who play it.
Thank you for taking the time to be a responsible blogger.
I am a Christian and a Pacifist. The LB Games “spam” insinuates that there’s something wrong with this. This is the same thinking that led to the crusades and the inquisition. Doubtless, this is where these people want to lead us again. Through this game they’ve shown their hand. They are leading us to the Christian equivalent of jihad.
Jesus Christ was the ultimate “Christian Pacifist” – He laid down His life. I’m disturbed that SJR thinks that this is somehow a bad thing.
Hey, with so many people having an opinion about this game, how many have actually played it? And what credibility do they have? Focus on the Family has publications which can set the record straight for everyone…at http://www.pluggedinonline.com/thisweekonly/a0002989.cfm