Christian games legitimacy compared to non-Christian games

[Alex_Olijar]

Christian versions are almost always worse IMO.

[TheKarazyvicePresidentRR]

Can we split this? We're off....TRACK...of this topic.

[Alex_Olijar]

The root problem with Christian games is usually that they are recovers of other works rather than creative ventures in and of themselves.

[TheHobbit13]

The root problem with Christian games is usually that they are recovers of other works rather than creative ventures in and of themselves.

I know right? We bought Bible Scrabble along time ago and just played it recently. All that's different is that you can make words out of Biblical names and places and you get more points for using words from the Bible. I like it better than classic scrabble but the additions of Bible Scrabble could easily have been a house rule. So we basically spent $15-$20 for a shiny new boards and some plastic our cats could choke on, lol. I hope the proceeds are going to starving children but me thinks not.  However, I really like the Christian rendition of Pokemon 

[TheKarazyvicePresidentRR]

However, I really like the Christian rendition of Pokemon 

wait wut?

[Warrior_Monk]

However, I really like the Christian rendition of Pokemon 

wait wut?

You've never heard of Jesus Pokemon?

You're on a site dedicated to it.

[STAMP]

The root problem with Christian games is usually that they are recovers of other works rather than creative ventures in and of themselves.

So a follow-up question: why are most creative ventures in games non-Christian based?

Again, I'm just curious.  Others may chime in, too.

[YourMathTeacher]

You've never heard of Jesus Pokemon?

You're on a site dedicated to it.

Since Pokémon cards were not printed in English until 1998, I would think Redemption is rather the Christian version of MtG. 

[Prof Underwood]

So a follow-up question: why are most creative ventures in games non-Christian based?

The majority of new games are non-Christian ... because the majority of game designers are non-Christian ... because the majority of human beings are non-Christian.  It's a simple issue of numbers.

Since Pokémon cards were not printed in English until 1998, I would think Redemption is rather the Christian version of MtG. 

[STAMP]

So a follow-up question: why are most creative ventures in games non-Christian based?

The majority of new games are non-Christian ... because the majority of game designers are non-Christian ... because the majority of human beings are non-Christian.  It's a simple issue of numbers.

77% of Americans identify as Christians

I trust this is a good example since most of the games appear to be games that are targeting Americans.

[Prof Underwood]

77% of Americans identify as Christians

The very site that you linked to states that 20% of those "christians" don't even consider their religion important.  And 35% of them seldom or never even go to church.  I think that everyone understands that a small percent of the population is truly Christian despite what people sometimes claim.

Jesus said that narrow was the road to Heaven and broad was the path to Hell.  I think it's both Biblical and logical that MOST people are NOT Christians.

[STAMP]

77% of Americans identify as Christians

The very site that you linked to states that 20% of those "christians" don't even consider their religion important.  And 35% of them seldom or never even go to church.  I think that everyone understands that a small percent of the population is truly Christian despite what people sometimes claim.

Jesus said that narrow was the road to Heaven and broad was the path to Hell.  I think it's both Biblical and logical that MOST people are NOT Christians.

Well now you're just invalidating the accuracy of labels, "christian" and non-christian", so how are we going to determine our root cause?  (And yes, I'm being a facetious.    )


Tell you what, give me the name of both a "christian"-based game that isn't considered creatively unique, and also one that is "non-christian"-based that is creatively unique.

[Alex_Olijar]

Because creativity is frowned upon in the church.

[Prof Underwood]

Tell you what, give me the name of both a "christian"-based game that isn't considered creatively unique, and also one that is "non-christian"-based that is creatively unique.

Based on what Hobbit said, "Bible Scrabble" seems to be a great example of a "Christian" game that very much lacks creativity.  And I would say that "Magic: The Gathering" is a fitting example of a "non-Christian" game that is very creative (it spawned the whole CCG industry).

[YourMathTeacher]

I find it ironic that this thread was started to separate an off-topic discussion, and now it has managed to go off-topic again. 

[Prof Underwood]

I find it ironic that this thread was started to separate an off-topic discussion, and now it has managed to go off-topic again. 

Good point.  We should split this topic off as well and let that topic get off-topic, and just keep repeating

The good news is that it feels like the forum has had more activity in the last week than it has in the 2-3 months prior to that

[YourMathTeacher]

The good news is that it feels like the forum has had more activity in the last week than it has in the 2-3 months prior to that

Yes! Our plan worked! We pretended to be arguing with each other, which brought people to the Boards to see if it would escalate.

High Five! 

[Danny Mercury]

So a follow-up question: why are most creative ventures in games non-Christian based?

The majority of new games are non-Christian ... because the majority of game designers are non-Christian ... because the majority of human beings are non-Christian.  It's a simple issue of numbers.

Since Pokémon cards were not printed in English until 1998, I would think Redemption is rather the Christian version of MtG. 

Am I the only one who thinks it's funny that people want Christianity in their games? They're games people.

[Alex_Olijar]

Dualism is bad Danny

[STAMP]

Seriously, can a Mod please separate the whole "theology of gaming" into another thread?  A couple of us have already requested it.

Granted, my tangent may have tedious, but I was trying to make a point regarding categories for game reviews, specifically that "creativity" and "faith-based" were subjective.  I was hoping to kill two birds with one stone by also getting people to think about why they play games, and ultimately the physiology of game-playing.

Carry on.

[Bryon]

The root problem with Christian games is usually that they are recovers of other works rather than creative ventures in and of themselves.

So a follow-up question: why are most creative ventures in games non-Christian based?

Again, I'm just curious.  Others may chime in, too.

Most games are non-Christian, so most creative/new games are non-Christian.

Most games at Toys R Us and big box stores are not creative.  How many versions of Monolopy, Clue, etc. have you seen?

Most new/creative game ideas never make it to retail.  Most that do make it to retail do not make much money in America.  Christian retail is particularly difficult to make any money in, since Christian retail is drying up.  There are fewer stores today than 10 years ago, which had fewer than 10 years before that.

The problem with the lack of creativity in Christian games has two root causes:
1) there is a lack of creativity in games in general, due to the financial risk involved.
2) there is a greater risk in designing a Christian game, since the target audience is very small and shrinking.

Add to all this the fact that more and more Christians are becoming less careful (perhaps even careless) about the themes and content of their entertainment, and you see that a creator of a creative Christian game has several huge hurdles to overcome.

[AJ]

So a follow-up question: why are most creative ventures in games non-Christian based?

The majority of new games are non-Christian ... because the majority of game designers are non-Christian ... because the majority of human beings are non-Christian.  It's a simple issue of numbers.

Since Pokémon cards were not printed in English until 1998, I would think Redemption is rather the Christian version of MtG. 

Am I the only one who thinks it's funny that people want Christianity in their games? They're games people.

Christians want to play games that help them in there walk with God and don't like games with bad content.

[STAMP]

The problem with the lack of creativity in Christian games has two root causes:
1) there is a lack of creativity in games in general, due to the financial risk involved.
2) there is a greater risk in designing a Christian game, since the target audience is very small and shrinking.

Add to all this the fact that more and more Christians are becoming less careful (perhaps even careless) about the themes and content of their entertainment, and you see that a creator of a creative Christian game has several huge hurdles to overcome.

In my opinion, we could reduce this to a root cause that falls more in line with the highlighted bold statement you made.  Ultimately, it comes down to will it make money (for the manufacturers/retailers) and will it be exciting (for the consumers).  It's all about what we're tempted by.  And before everyone gets in a huff, I'm not accusing anyone of playing games to consciously give in to temptation.  Most games the only temptation is winning (which may or may not be an issue).  But for some it may be questionable.

[Danny Mercury]

So a follow-up question: why are most creative ventures in games non-Christian based?

The majority of new games are non-Christian ... because the majority of game designers are non-Christian ... because the majority of human beings are non-Christian.  It's a simple issue of numbers.

Since Pokémon cards were not printed in English until 1998, I would think Redemption is rather the Christian version of MtG. 

Am I the only one who thinks it's funny that people want Christianity in their games? They're games people.

Christians want to play games that help them in there walk with God and don't like games with bad content.

I'm not sure I can recall any games with "bad content" unless you're referring to adult party games.

[YourMathTeacher]

I'm not sure I can recall any games with "bad content" unless you're referring to adult party games.

As a parent, I really don't want my children playing games that include grotesque or risqué imagery (based solely on my own discretion). I also don't want my kids playing with a Ouija board. 

[Danny Mercury]

I'm not sure I can recall any games with "bad content" unless you're referring to adult party games.

As a parent, I really don't want my children playing games that include grotesque or risqué imagery (based solely on my own discretion). I also don't want my kids playing with a Ouija board. 

Ouija boards are gimmicks however that makes sense.

[TheMarti]

I'm not sure I can recall any games with "bad content" unless you're referring to adult party games.

As a parent, I really don't want my children playing games that include grotesque or risqué imagery (based solely on my own discretion). I also don't want my kids playing with a Ouija board. 

Ouija boards are gimmicks however that makes sense.

They are absolutely not. That is messing with some bad crap, right there. I'd rather not get into the "how I know," but just trust me.

[CJSports]

I just found out what a Ouija board is like two weeks ago and I had never heard of them before that.

To be on topic, I would love to see someone Christianize a game like Munchkin.

[YourMathTeacher]

Ouija Boards absolutely have a down-to-earth explanation.

I can only speak for myself in saying that my objection has to do with the "Why [my kids are playing with it]?" more than the "How [does the board work]?"   

[TheKarazyvicePresidentRR]

I understand why christian games don't take risks, just like branded (duck dynasty monopoly) doesn't. Still makes me sad though because unlike other games that just rebrand christian games seem to go that extra step to mess up the original concept. Bibleopoly is the first to 2? hotels I believe by the rules. Praise hero had about 3 songs that were good for a guitar in it and even some hip hop (which makes no sense). I know that its a financial risk but most of the big names in gaming are odd games that took an idea and went with it even if it wasn't a safe bet.

[STAMP]

Ouija Boards absolutely have a down-to-earth explanation.

I can only speak for myself in saying that my objection has to do with the "Why [my kids are playing with it]?" more than the "How [does the board work]?"   

Bingo.  I'll allow this statement to speak for me, too.   

After all, Jesus is more concerned with what is in our hearts.  (This is also true for the other thread that talks about what is a Christian.)

[TheHobbit13]

Would it be bad to go out and buy a ouija board in order to find out if it was real? I mean ask it a question you know the answer to and then like a week later check and see if it was right. Worst/best case scenario it's right and you have probably just strengthened your faith in God.

On a side note my high school Geometry teacher is one of the most godly women I know.  Anyways She tried the board when she was a little girl and gave us a long lecture on how it is bad. She even explained the ideometer effect and how that doesn't explain much away. So on the one hand I can probably take her word for it and be okay, on the other hand she came through the oujia board fiasco safe and sound so maybe I could too.

[YourMathTeacher]

Following the typical rebuttal, if your teacher decided to jump off a bridge, but managed to survive and has now fully recovered to live a normal life, would her insistence that you not jump off a bridge be enough to sway you, or would you still need to find out for yourself?

Those of us who have survived various poor decisions in our life also have known plenty of others who did not. We can only hope that our warnings will suffice, so that people who think like you won't have to be a non-survivor. 

[Prof Underwood]

Would it be bad to go out and buy a ouija board in order to find out if it was real?

Yes it would be bad.  Matthew 4:5-7

[TheHobbit13]

No, I would be testing the Devil.

Following the typical rebuttal, if your teacher decided to jump off a bridge, but managed to survive and has now fully recovered to live a normal life, would her insistence that you not jump off a bridge be enough to sway you, or would you still need to find out for yourself?

It's not the same thing. I am afraid of gravity because I know it will kill me. I am not afraid of demons because they have no power over me.

[browarod]

I feel like testing the Devil would be just as bad of an idea as testing God. You never know when he's gonna pull a Job on you.

[YourMathTeacher]

It's not the same thing.

It is to the people who have been hurt. Being hurt by jumping off a bridge or being hurt by allowing the enemy into your life will still result in pain and loss. Sometimes physical healing is easier than emotional and spiritual healing. Why open yourself up to regret when there is no apparent need or gain?

[Red Dragon Thorn]

Following the typical rebuttal, if your teacher decided to jump off a bridge, but managed to survive and has now fully recovered to live a normal life, would her insistence that you not jump off a bridge be enough to sway you, or would you still need to find out for yourself?

Those of us who have survived various poor decisions in our life also have known plenty of others who did not. We can only hope that our warnings will suffice, so that people who think like you won't have to be a non-survivor. 

All I could think about when I read this post was this:

[YourMathTeacher]

Proving my point and getting all the cookies would be a sweet deal. 

[DJWeb]

Would it be bad to go out and buy a ouija board in order to find out if it was real? I mean ask it a question you know the answer to and then like a week later check and see if it was right. Worst/best case scenario it's right and you have probably just strengthened your faith in God.

To add my thoughts, faith is a virtue of trust, it involves believing things without seeing, or in this case, trying them. So I don't think there is a best case scenario here.

I am not afraid of demons because they have no power over me.

The only reason demons have no power over you is because of God's Protection. When you abandon God and turn to demons, that Protection is gone. We are nothing without God. Then demons have all the power over you.

[TheKarazyvicePresidentRR]

I am not afraid of demons because they have no power over me.

And you now have labyrinth stuck in my head. Thank you...