A City on a Hill Cannot be hidden.

[ThaBenMan]

In regard to the idea that it might "offend" those people that aren't christian or whatever -

Maybe the main character could meet characters of other faiths - like a muslim, a member of a different sect, stuff like that, and through their discussions the player would learn that those other groups aren't wrong, but just different. There are a lot of differences, sure, but there are similarities too.

 

[Cael Dragonsbane]

Well, how can I put this?

Personally I'm a bit jaded when it comes to religion, it's never done anything for me and I have a hard time in believing in the higher powers that modern society in America bombards us with every day. I could delve deeper into this, but....well, then I'd probably just start a flame war, which isn't what I'm here for.

What I am here to do, as an aspiring game designer who's spoken to a few people that've done game design before, is give some advice. Religion in general is a hot topic and including it in anything tends to make said thing stand out, usually for the worse. Not because the religion's 'bad', but because the word 'religion' just seems to turn on some sort of Clinical Psychotic Reaction, and then everyone flocks to it and looks at it with the strongest criticism they can muster.

This being the gaming community makes that ten-fold, and then you include outside parties like, obviously, the churches and religious figures in the world and well, you've got a keg of powder waiting to detonate.

Aside from all that, games are now a very, VERY mainstream art medium, and thus get a lot of attention, both good and bad. There are plenty of people out there, important people, that would gladly go onto the news and down your game to get publicity, and even then less important people (such as me, for example, with my lowly status in society) would be more than happy to ignorantly run around blamming this game simply BECAUSE it involves and focuses on Christianity. These people should be taken out and beaten with heavy slabs of large rubber for eight hours straight, but I digress.

What I'm saying is, be VERY careful what you're treading on. You have the best of intentions and want to make an awesome work of art in your eyes, but there are going to be tons of people rabidly attempting to bash your idea and, if they're arrogant enough, you directly.

With that said, I'd give this game a shot, religion's not really my thing but....I dunno, I guess I could go for it. I like to diversify my gaming regimen.

 

[sammyfreak]

This game is gonna be set in Mexico during fifties. Except some minor remaints from Mayan (or was it Aztec?) culture Christianity was the only religion (correct me if i am wrong). I am glad you all are warning me about controversy, but since this game shall only exist in our heads then we dont need to bother about it. Lets all go wild with artistic frenzy!

But then again, maybe my vision might be a little bit to narrow for some contributions. We can add other religions in minor parts, but try to think of how they can be suitably implemented into the game without feeling to out of place. History can be bent to our almihty will!

I DID read OP's idea. He wants to have a video game based on a religious believer on an adventure-style quest with heavy influence in the surroundings by actual earth history and religious beliefs. Also mentioned, his "character" is to progress through the game by becoming a "better" Christian... My stance is that such a game has no place in the world. It is propaganda, and it is offensive. Normally I'm gung-ho for offensive things to be released, but religion becomes kinda touchy... The last time a major religion was offended, members of said religion rioted and murdered people.

I se your point, but i dont think that Churches will riot because of a forum thread concerning a hypothetical game.

 

[runtheplacered]

i'm not.... wha... no, thanks.

 

[fix-the-spade]

fix-the-spade: I want to focus on Christian theology since it is closest to my heart and i know quite alot about it. I also think that having it focus on one specific religion makes it more interesting for the masses then some kind of gray "all religions are the same lalala" attitude.

I would love to see games taking diffirent perspectives on religion. There is beauty in diversity, but mushing them all together makes for a bland experience.

So if McDonalds only offered double cheeseburgers and black coffee, that would improve their mass appeal?

As you say, the subject is close to your heart. Like I said in my previous post, Frequency Denpendant Damping. I care far more about a variable diameter oil flow orifice than Christianity. There are millions upon millions of people who put the bible low down in their priority lists. The idea of playing through a story devoted to waxing lyrical about christianity is as appealing to me as, well, a double cheeseburger and black coffee.

Religions are not the same, showing more than one is needed to prove precisely that point. Many different colours generate a vision.

Variety is the only way, showing one (und precisely von!) viewpoint generates a very narrow appeal. It also becomes bland very quickly unless the subject is close to your heart.
Unless of course, by masses you meant Sunday Masses, in which case it probably would appeal to them...


#I am aware of the irony in stating variety as the only way.

 

[RobotLiberationArmy]

Wait, so being based on Christian theology makes something offensive? Apparently, Paradise Lost = Mein Kampf.

I feel that a game that maturely deals with morality, redemption and faith would be a good thing. It might not sell well, but it would be interesting if properly executed.

Somehow I doubt there will be rioting in the streets if somebody makes a game where you forgive people.

 

[sammyfreak]

fix-the-spade: I want to focus on Christian theology since it is closest to my heart and i know quite alot about it. I also think that having it focus on one specific religion makes it more interesting for the masses then some kind of gray "all religions are the same lalala" attitude.

I would love to see games taking diffirent perspectives on religion. There is beauty in diversity, but mushing them all together makes for a bland experience.

So if McDonalds only offered double cheeseburgers and black coffee, that would improve their mass appeal?

As you say, the subject is close to your heart. Like I said in my previous post, Frequency Denpendant Damping. I care far more about a variable diameter oil flow orifice than Christianity. There are millions upon millions of people who put the bible low down in their priority lists. The idea of playing through a story devoted to waxing lyrical about christianity is as appealing to me as, well, a double cheeseburger and black coffee.

Variety is the only way, showing one (und precisely von!) viewpoint generates a very narrow appeal. It also becomes bland very quickly unless the subject is close to your heart.
Unless of course, by masses you meant Sunday Masses, in which case it probably would appeal to them...


#I am aware of the irony in stating variety as the only way.

I think you missunderstood me, i love hearing about other religions and how they affect the people practicing them. Infact before i thought of this game i had one about Islam planned (much more controversial in an awesome way). What i mean is that a product that focuses on to many things often gets bland. If MacDonalds made their ice-cream taste like a hamburger because the hamburger sell better would people be happy? I can get that someone who doesnt care about religion in the slightest would find my game boring, but one cannot apeal to all people.

 

[Weaver]

42 is a better number.

 

[RobotLiberationArmy]

Wait, so being based on Christian theology makes something offensive? Apparently, Paradise Lost = Mein Kampf.

Well one person's true savior is another's oppressor... Or lunatic.

Conclusion: John Milton is Hitler. Can't argue with that.

 

[klarax]

no offence to anyone who follows a religion, but most war/arguements are from religion. Thats why there never seems to be games about religion from fear of a religious wackjob killing them.... It will happen mark my words....

Personally, i dont see why religion is so fickle...

 

[cleverlymadeup]

In regard to the idea that it might "offend" those people that aren't christian or whatever -

Maybe the main character could meet characters of other faiths - like a muslim, a member of a different sect, stuff like that, and through their discussions the player would learn that those other groups aren't wrong, but just different. There are a lot of differences, sure, but there are similarities too.

that's a brilliant idea and very true that a lot of them are very similar and contain a lot of the same stories, with minor changes and tweaks

one good example is the great flood story, most all have the same basic story but changes depending on the location of the tribe, tidal wave or rain and sometimes both.

another one is the creation myth, most are pretty close

a third is a great civilization of teachers "before time" or one that passed knowledge onto us before a great catastrophe

now we all call things different things but as the saying goes "a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet", which means although something has a different name doesn't mean it's not the same as something else