My theory as to why all bible games have been terrible.

[Thaius]

I agree with most of these reasons. Part of it is also that Christianity is a minority in a mostly atheist world and a culture that is highly hostile to Christianity, so most of the talent in any given industry is in the secular rather than the Christian.

For the record, though, there is a company called Digital Praise that has made a couple adventure games that weren't bad, but their main achievements are two games based on (meaning almost identical to) Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero. Though imperfect, they are very good clones of their respective inspirations, but with Christian music. Which is nice, since there is actually a lot of really good music out there by Christian bands, and only a few songs in secular rhythm games are from any of them (FlyLeaf's "I'm So Sick" being the only one that comes to mind). Worth checking out if you're a fan of bands like Red, Thousand-Foot Krutch, or Stellar Kart. Though Dance Praise suffers from far too many praise/worship songs... David Crowder just is not fun to dance to.

EDIT: I would like to point out that there are plenty of stories from the Old Testament that would make great games, but unfortunately the violence in them would only feed the ignorance that inspires people to claim modern Christianity as a religion of violence. It would be awesome, but it would not be a good idea.

 

[Heresy101]

Part of it is also that Christianity is a minority in a mostly atheist world

Uhh what % of Americans call themselves nonbelievers? Like 10%? Also don't confuse secular with atheist.

The problem is that a vaguely Biblical story would go down ok with the non-religious crowd, but anyone who is basing a game on the Bible will most likely be an evangelical and trying too hard. That'd put people off.

 

[PopeJewish]

Part of it is also that Christianity is a minority in a mostly atheist world and a culture that is highly hostile to Christianity

Uhh what % of Americans call themselves nonbelievers? Like 10%? Also don't confuse secular with atheist.

Yea I'm gonna join the WTF on this quote. The vast majority of the world's (not just USA's) population is religious, with some estimates of up to 2 billion Christians alone (that's nearly 1/3 the entire world population). Add into that the Muslims (at least another billion or so) Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, etc, and you have a very significant majority of people who are religious in some form or another.

and saying the world is highly hostile to christianity is a huge misnomer. Especially in America, a country that is run by Christians (in which you can't be elected president unless you're a Christian of some form or another)

 

[Thaius]

Part of it is also that Christianity is a minority in a mostly atheist world

Uhh what % of Americans call themselves nonbelievers? Like 10%? Also don't confuse secular with atheist.

The problem is that a vaguely Biblical story would go down ok with the non-religious crowd, but anyone who is basing a game on the Bible will most likely be an evangelical and trying too hard. That'd put people off.

People say that a lot. But even if the majority of America does consider themselves Christian (which I doubt, let alone would I expect that most of said people actually are), America's media is highly, HIGHLY skewed against Christian worldviews. For one reason or another, Christianity doesn't seem to be within the realm of things to be "tolerated" in our culture. Regardless of statistics, you can't claim that our culture is really in line with Christian values.

EDIT:

and saying the world is highly hostile to christianity is a huge misnomer. Especially in America, a country that is run by Christians (in which you can't be elected president unless you're a Christian of some form or another)

I find that hard to believe. Beyond that though, there is a big difference between saying you're a Christian and actually living like one, actually being one. I mean, Clinton, for instance, was no Christian, no matter how many little Biblical references he made or how many times he may have shown up to church for show.

 

[BlindMessiah94]

Personally I would never buy a game from a studio that made a "Bible Game"

Why? Who's to say the same studio is incapable of making a great game as well?

Not that it has happened yet mind you...

 

[Kouen]

The reason bible video games generally suck is the same reason that movie videogames suck.

They are about the bible, and about the movie first, rather than being about the game first.

For some reason, all I can think of is the following:

HAHAHA!

But seriously being that I "Dont Belive" I Probably wouldn't touch it sides I wouldn't see the point if your into the bible and god anyways you probably know that book backwards so why would you need a game to tell you the very same story you been reading all your life xD

 

[PopeJewish]

and saying the world is highly hostile to christianity is a huge misnomer. Especially in America, a country that is run by Christians (in which you can't be elected president unless you're a Christian of some form or another)

I find that hard to believe. Beyond that though, there is a big difference between saying you're a Christian and actually living like one, actually being one. I mean, Clinton, for instance, was no Christian, no matter how many little Biblical references he made or how many times he may have shown up to church for show.

well now we're getting into a debate over what actually makes someone a christian (and I'm by no means qualified to judge what with being a jew-turned-atheist, then again neither is anyone due to the whole judge not lest ye be judged thing, hehe). Anyway, yea, I wouldn't consider GW Bush to be a christian based on his actions, but he certainly considered himself one.

One famous quote I love on the subject, though, is that "going to church doesn't make you a christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car"

 

[Aegwadar]

Hindsight is 20/20... This should have been put into "Religion and Politics" section... Forum logic dictates: A smidge of religion takes the whole thread over...

OT:

Putting my own beliefs aside; Generally, the bible-related games are designed almost exactly like the bible itself is designed. To teach a "lesson"... I don't think the bible is equipped to facilitate a game based on it's material.

Now... Norse, Greek, Roman and Japanese mythology-based games.. those rock. Choc full of gory, action-packed goodness.

 

[Aegwadar]

*Edit* Double post...

 

[Thaius]

and saying the world is highly hostile to christianity is a huge misnomer. Especially in America, a country that is run by Christians (in which you can't be elected president unless you're a Christian of some form or another)

I find that hard to believe. Beyond that though, there is a big difference between saying you're a Christian and actually living like one, actually being one. I mean, Clinton, for instance, was no Christian, no matter how many little Biblical references he made or how many times he may have shown up to church for show.

well now we're getting into a debate over what actually makes someone a christian (and I'm by no means qualified to judge what with being a jew-turned-atheist, then again neither is anyone due to the whole judge not lest ye be judged thing, hehe). Anyway, yea, I wouldn't consider GW Bush to be a christian based on his actions, but he certainly considered himself one.

One famous quote I love on the subject, though, is that "going to church doesn't make you a christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car"

True enough. Your quote basically says it all, really. Technically, based on the beliefs of Christianity, one is a Christian when they have accepted the free gift of salvation that Jesus offered by dying on the cross as the requisite sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin. When someone just goes to church and says the right things, but believes and acts contrary to the beliefs and guidelines of Christianity, the "Christianese" term is "going through the motions:" in other words, they're doing the right outward things, but they do not actually live their lives in a way that's reflective of their Christian status. In terms of people of influence, however, there is really no way to tell if they are, so they are judged by their actions (with, of course, a knowledge of the difference between sincere acts and token gestures). Though acting in accordance to the morals and standards set forth by the Bible is not the determining factor in one's Christianity, it is the only way to really tell if someone believes and is trying to live by their beliefs. Thus, regardless of what some people say, their actions reveal that they are not Christians, or at least do not live as they should be living.

Beyond that though, "Christianity" as a term has become very vague. There is a particular meaning to it, a specific set of beliefs, but nowdays when someone wants to say "I believe some god exists somewhere and he does something," they say they're Christian. Thus why, when asked your religion in an online survey or something, the final option is always "Christian/other." This complicates things even further.

 

[Soviet Steve]

The bible is a bad piece of litterature, simple as that.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

The real bible is actually very action packed.
There are a ton of battles with Moses and the Israelites. (sp?)

God was hardcore in the Old Testament. He was always having his followers fuck other people's shit up.

 

[Escapefromwhatever]

Let me stop you right there, the reason they're aren't any Bible games(that you know of there are plenty) is because the Bible is clear. Mythology not so much which is why game creators use it as a free idea bin. The Bible being straight forward provides explanation unlike mythology.

Clear?! LOLWUT. You'd need a team of 27 theologians just to understand which bits are metaphor and what "context" the verses could possibly be in that makes them ok.

My theory as to why all bible games have been terrible:
The Bible itself is terrible. Poor source material.

Whatever you say paperboy, cause darwin was oh so clear!

@Skullkid4187

1) Darwin was clear. His science may have had a few holes, but he didn't go around speaking in metaphors like Jesus.
2) Heresy never mentioned Darwin (by the way, it would be nice if you took the time to capitalize the man's name). Don't arbitrarily assign him a viewpoint just for criticizing the Bible. For instance, just because I don't like FOX News doesn't mean I like MSNBC.
3) Darwin himself never meant to assault religion. He just thought that he found something of scientific merit and decided to study it.
4) Heresy is right. The Bible is not clear- if it were, I'd be Catholic right now instead of Lutheran. It has been interpreted in many different ways by countless organizations, and it's messages are still debated to this day.
5) Did...did you just talk down to someone based on post count? That's called an ad-hominem attack, and aside from being a no-no in debates, your reason for invoking it doesn't make any sense. It doesn't matter what his or her post count is, if his or her argument is valid. I thought we were past that sort of elitism here?

@Heresy101

I know you're new, and while I respect your right to dislike the text of another religion, try not to dismiss outright the basis of an entire faith here, especially without giving a reason, okay? That sort of thing is best saved for the religion and politics board, as it causes flame wars and may come across as mean spirited. I know everyone here likes to be smarmy, and, to a certain degree, I like that. But that doesn't mean we can't be polite every once in a while, either.

On-topic: Honestly, I don't think there's any reason for Bible games to be bad. I've had a few ideas for ways to make good Bible games myself, but I'm no game designer. I suppose the chief problem is probably the Bible's attitude towards violence. Considering most games today involve killing of some sort, a lot of developers probably have a problem responding to "Thou shalt not kill." Then you end up with weird stuff, like in the AVGN's videos.

 

[Imsety]

On-topic: Honestly, I don't think there's any reason for Bible games to be bad. I've had a few ideas for ways to make good Bible games myself, but I'm no game designer. I suppose the chief problem is probably the Bible's attitude towards violence. Considering most games today involve killing of some sort, a lot of developers probably have a problem responding to "Thou shalt not kill." Then you end up with weird stuff, like in the AVGN's videos.

Considering the amount of killing done by God and his Chosen People throughout the entirety of the bible, "Thou shalt not kill" obviously applies only to those of your own group. Killing heathens? That's just fine with mr. Jehovah.

I think the only way a bible game would work is to treat it in the same way games like God of War do: As mythology, and as a reference only. Literally playing out the events of a bible story is no fun at all, as you know how it's going to play out and what happens in the end. Just make up your own stuff and use the characters and stories from the bible as a backdrop. Second Coming of Christ as a questgiver? I don't see why not.

 

[Escapefromwhatever]

On-topic: Honestly, I don't think there's any reason for Bible games to be bad. I've had a few ideas for ways to make good Bible games myself, but I'm no game designer. I suppose the chief problem is probably the Bible's attitude towards violence. Considering most games today involve killing of some sort, a lot of developers probably have a problem responding to "Thou shalt not kill." Then you end up with weird stuff, like in the AVGN's videos.

Considering the amount of killing done by God and his Chosen People throughout the entirety of the bible, "Thou shalt not kill" obviously applies only to those of your own group. Killing heathens? That's just fine with mr. Jehovah.

I think the only way a bible game would work is to treat it in the same way games like God of War do: As mythology, and as a reference only. Literally playing out the events of a bible story is no fun at all, as you know how it's going to play out and what happens in the end. Just make up your own stuff and use the characters and stories from the bible as a backdrop. Second Coming of Christ as a questgiver? I don't see why not.

Yeah, I thought of that while writing this. Still, the New Testament seems to be fairly anti-killing. There's such a big gap between the two, it's pretty fun.

 

[RUINER ACTUAL]

-"The world's been going downhill ever since man offered entrails to the gods."
-"Whats that mean?"
-"It means that religion is, gay."

From Generation Kill.

That is why these games don't work.

 

[Imsety]

Yeah, I thought of that while writing this. Still, the New Testament seems to be fairly anti-killing. There's such a big gap between the two, it's pretty fun.

Idunno, Revelations is pretty harsh about not being part of God's groupies. Then again, those events are almost two thousand years overdue, so I suppose it's on top of the "these things are not to be taken literally" list.

Just to add something to the topic, an idea that's been milling in my head for a few years now. What if Satan is actually the good guy here, and the whole Judaism/Christianity/Islam deal is a huge coverup for a celestial coup? That would certainly make for a more entertaining game, and it takes away any preconceptions of "educational game" people may have come to expect from "biblical" games.

Think about it. You have an idea that nobody would take as more than mythology, meaning they could simply enjoy the game without having the feeling someone's trying to impose some kind of lessons on them. At the same time, it's still staying within the borders of the established mythology, just not in the way that people expect. And admit it, the God of the Old Testament is just the kind of jerk needed to make something like this plausible.

 

[RUINER ACTUAL]

Funny just yesterday I was checking if there are any decent games of that kind.

I guess all your speculations are on spot. But the biggest problem is the same as with other games - untalented developers, low budget, rushed development, distributor who doesn't give a crap about QA, testing... The same problems as with other budget titles (Activision Value anyone?).

I didn't know Valve had untalented people and of all things, RUSHED DEVELOPMENTS. Are you sure you know what you're talking about? I haven't heard of budget Actvision titles. They kind of just piss money onto games.