Poll: Religion in Games

[nin_ninja]

Now I'm atheist, but I don't care if religion is used in games, especially fantasy and JRPGs because their world is an alternate world from our own where gods can exist. I do like when the option to say my character is an atheist in game (Mass Effect, Neverwinter Nights, Ezio says he is in AC 2:B's book) but its not important to me if that option is available. I like it especially when gods are used as a plot device (Mask of the Betrayer, Dante's Inferno, JRPGs), or even if they are given less direct roles like the Maker in DA:O or the Director (it's kinda a god) in L4D. I don't care either way, but allowing some form of god does open up options in the story.

How do you feel about religion and gods in games?

 

[Merkavar]

i dont really care. if the game is fun and the story makes sense then having gods or not in the game doesnt matter to me.

 

[Revolutionary]

Personally I dont really care how a developer approaches religion in game so long as the approach is not too close to the reality of modern religions I.E (In a character description) "You are a devout catholic" Which leaves me thinking "Am I Just?" Just so long as there arent any forced components like that, religion is something i treat with indifference.

 

[PunkyMcGee]

if we as a community want video games to be considered free speech. religion needs the same respect. so i welcome it with open arms.

 

[conmag9]

As long as it's treated with respect, no problems. Treating religious characters with a "lol, what a moron" attitude (or MAKING that character a moron, most of the time)...bugs me. It comes up far too often as a character device: you're more edgy and/or intelligent if you're anti-religious and you're either an idiot or corrupt if you are.

If the religions are fictional ones, much less of a touchy subject. I amused myself in Dragon Age: Origins by declaring "Hail Autochthon" and "Ave Machina!" every time someone brought up the Maker. Which, if you're familiar with the game, was a LOT.

 

[mikev7.0]

I think mythology adds a lot to, and is an important part of, our games.

 

[nin_ninja]

As long as it's treated with respect, no problems. Treating religious characters with a "lol, what a moron" attitude (or MAKING that character a moron, most of the time)...bugs me. It comes up far too often as a character device: you're more edgy and/or intelligent if you're anti-religious and you're either an idiot or corrupt if you are.

If the religions are fictional ones, much less of a touchy subject. I amused myself in Dragon Age: Origins by declaring "Hail Autochthon" and "Ave Machina!" every time someone brought up the Maker. Which, if you're familiar with the game, was a LOT.

Frieking Leliana.

"Oh you saved those people, the Maker made you do it."

No Leliana, I did it, me, not this Maker who's supposed to not even be looking over humanity anyways.

 

[minimacker]

Many people take religious things in games too seriously.

Games are an art, entertainment and relaxation.


So I say, "Who the - cares?"

 

[TheNewDemoman]

As a religious person

I think it's cool that they put religion in games.

AC:B is a great example, even though they say Christianity is a lie I still like the way they put in a futuristic like setting

 

[Outcast107]

I have to say I like it. Both fantasy types and the ones we have here ourself. Though I have to say I kindof prefer the fantasy type ones. Just to let people know, I am Christian, but I love to learn about other types of religion, even if its fake. It just add more story and plus character development to the game itself.

 

[RUINER ACTUAL]

I don't like it. Any use of it in games just implies the what the developers are like. If they have a "great creator" or something in an RPG, it's the same Christian influence that is seen in movies. The only game I like it in is Assassin's Creed- partly because they say it's bullshit, and partly because they are saying it's hurting humanity.

 

[Trolldor]

Now I'm atheist, but I don't care if religion is used in games, especially fantasy and JRPGs because their world is an alternate world from our own where gods can exist. I do like when the option to say my character is an atheist in game (Mass Effect, Neverwinter Nights, Ezio says he is in AC 2:B's book) but its not important to me if that option is available. I like it especially when gods are used as a plot device (Mask of the Betrayer, Dante's Inferno, JRPGs), or even if they are given less direct roles like the Maker in DA:O or the Director (it's kinda a god) in L4D. I don't care either way, but allowing some form of god does open up options in the story.

How do you feel about religion and gods in games?

That depends. Is it being crammed down our throats or it is just a back story?
What do they demonise and what is exemplified?
Games which play the religion card tend to be utterly dull.

Darksiders was interesting to me mainly because, despite the flat story, the idea that you fight against heaven AND hell worked as an interesting idea.
God of War was similar - damn the gods, every last one of them.
In TESIV the pious are noble characters, there's a token angry atheist, but one of the key characters - Martin Septim - says he doesn't care whether the gods exist or not.

So long as the religion isn't polarised, I don't care that it's in there. Much like everything else.

I do find it weird that in most Handheld JRPG's you save at a church or something though...

 

[Nimcha]

I liked how it was applied in Dragon Age, with the struggle with the mages as a nice twist. As for real life religions, why not? Just because I'm not religious doesn't have to mean my character can't be.

 

[Worgen]

I dont mind it, usually because it involves you getting to either kill god or there being no real proof for said religion in a game

 

[Worgen]

Now I'm atheist, but I don't care if religion is used in games, especially fantasy and JRPGs because their world is an alternate world from our own where gods can exist. I do like when the option to say my character is an atheist in game (Mass Effect, Neverwinter Nights, Ezio says he is in AC 2:B's book) but its not important to me if that option is available. I like it especially when gods are used as a plot device (Mask of the Betrayer, Dante's Inferno, JRPGs), or even if they are given less direct roles like the Maker in DA:O or the Director (it's kinda a god) in L4D. I don't care either way, but allowing some form of god does open up options in the story.

How do you feel about religion and gods in games?

That depends. Is it being crammed down our throats or it is just a back story?
What do they demonise and what is exemplified?
Games which play the religion card tend to be utterly dull.

Darksiders was interesting to me mainly because, despite the flat story, the idea that you fight against heaven AND hell worked as an interesting idea.
God of War was similar - damn the gods, every last one of them.
In TESIV the pious are noble characters, there's a token angry atheist, but one of the key characters - Martin Septim - says he doesn't care whether the gods exist or not.

So long as the religion isn't polarised, I don't care that it's in there. Much like everything else.

I do find it weird that in most Handheld JRPG's you save at a church or something though...

part of the reason I enjoyed darksiders so much despite the revelations like plot was because not only was hell involved but so was heaven, its not uncommon to see demons and shit but its rare as hell to see heaven actually be in game and be killable, plus heaven had some really bad ass art going for it, usually its lame

 

[Icarion (aka Stockholm)]

It can be really cool for character development if done correct. Like Lelianna in DA:O, super devout, religion was actually the crux of her character (that and a checkered past). And it made her a decent one too.

 

[Nimzar]

Presence of religion in games can enhance the setting. If it isn't done hamfistedly.

It really depends on how it is used and how well it is used.

 

[the_hoffs_ego]

I'm a Christian, and when I finished AC2 where it basically says religions are lies, I have to admit I felt a bit uncomfortable at first. Then I realized it was part of the story, a great one at that, and now I can't wait for the finale. As long as religion is handled respectfully and used to its full extent (not just thrown in out of nowhere "just because") it adds to the game as a whole.

 

[Outcast107]

You know...why do people say that when a game has a "damn the god(s)" thing, they think that the dev actually hate religion or when they show religion in a good light that they are religion nut jobs?

I just don't get it. To me, it just story telling and that's it. Do people get piss off at Mass Effect because a lot of the aliens on their have religion beliefs? Or that Christian or some form of it still exist to some of the human characters? I mean come on people, don't be that of a moron or ignorance bastard to hate a game purely of what some of the character are. Face it, religion is a part of life.

This isn't meant to be offense to atheist, but it sort of ticks me off that they go high and mighty because "they don't believe in fairy tales" and when a game has it, they act like its a huge slap to the face. I'm sorry, but I'm pretty damn sure we wouldn't have half of these games without the help of religion, or mythology of old religion from old times. At least in my opinion.

 

[nin_ninja]

I'm a Christian, and when I finished AC2 where it basically says religions are lies, I have to admit I felt a bit uncomfortable at first. Then I realized it was part of the story, a great one at that, and now I can't wait for the finale. As long as religion is handled respectfully and used to its full extent (not just thrown in out of nowhere "just because") it adds to the game as a whole.

I also feel kinda weird when the game says God (not gods, but God) did such and such, but then I realize that its part of the story and that it doesn't matter. Dante's Inferno is the only really religious game I can think of anyways.