Poll: Religion in Games

[Gigano]

I certainly liked the way it was dealt with in God of War.

Generally quite indifferent. If it's a natural part of the game world, fine by me.

Wouldn't really be a fan of preachy games [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_Behind:_Eternal_Forces] though, but that goes for all kinds of media, and I've got no objection to them existing.

 

[standokan]

As long as it's used in JUST the right way, and I prefer not actual religions but more like a Thor the god of dwarves (post800).

 

[MassiveGeek]

Actually my "favorite" religion ever is from the Silent Hill series.

I just love the whole concept of the Orders god, first off that she was born from humans I find very interesting, it isn't something I've ever seen in any other religion and also that she is a single God that is female is not something I've seen before either.

But I don't really give a damn, religion is interesting and fanatics in video games are always fun(Vincent and Claudia <3). I'm personally... well, I guess atheist, would love to be a skepticist but I don't think I have a critical enough mind, and I'm only bugged by religion when religious people are doing harm or misrepresent science in some stupid ass way. On it's own entirely, religion is just fascinating and a good source of major lulz.

 

[Trolldor]

Thanks. And yes I agree mostly, you can say something for both sides.

One last question, did you destroy the 'heretics' or rewire them?

To tell the truth. I rewrote them. I didn't like either option. But I view the big picture. Which would be better. To destroy the geth that had a "error" code within them that made them follow the reapers as gods. Or rewrite them to not belief in the reapers as gods and not be a tool. Plus, this might help me later in the game against the Reapers.

I did the same. I saw them mostly as tools though, but that might be because I just prefer playing Renegade. >.>

Actually, that choice was Paragon.

Really? Wow, guess I messed that up. Oh well by that time I usually have a full Renegade bar anyway. xD

I went the other route, I was fully paragon at the end with a bit of renegade somehow. I still don't know how I got those points, but whatever.

Did you push the merc out the window? Its okay, everyone did it, you don't have to feel guilty.

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?

OP your probably the nicest atheist I've ever met when it comes to religion.

Its kinda hard to be a mean atheist when most of my friends are religious, and devout Arabs for that matter. I wouldn't really be friends if I hated their beliefs, but that being said we never talk about religion.[/quote]

Evidentially not if you describe them as 'devout Arabs', considering 'Arab' is not a religion.
I have no trouble with religion in games, provided it's not preachy, because I'm playing a game in an imaginary world. I expect a lot of imaginary things.

 

[Trolldor]

And... err, I'm maing this a seperate post for a reason...

That first line about pushing the merc out the window?

Not my line. I didn't post or type that. What the fuck is going on?

Edit: Ah, I see, post I quoted had fail quoting. It's all okay, I understand now...

 

[Outcast107]

Did you push the merc out the window? Its okay, everyone did it, you don't have to feel guilty.

Nope, I didn't push him off. I just told him to get the hell out of here before I blasted him. Which worked and he ran as fast as he could. Btw, did you or anyone let that one Volus who was all drugged up attack that one asari gang leader.

 

[Trildor]

I don't mind real world religions in games when they're treated with respect.

Mythology, on the other hand, is absolutely necessary in fantasy games. It has the potential to add a level of depth that is always welcome.

 

[nin_ninja]

Thanks. And yes I agree mostly, you can say something for both sides.

One last question, did you destroy the 'heretics' or rewire them?

To tell the truth. I rewrote them. I didn't like either option. But I view the big picture. Which would be better. To destroy the geth that had a "error" code within them that made them follow the reapers as gods. Or rewrite them to not belief in the reapers as gods and not be a tool. Plus, this might help me later in the game against the Reapers.

I did the same. I saw them mostly as tools though, but that might be because I just prefer playing Renegade. >.>

Actually, that choice was Paragon.

Really? Wow, guess I messed that up. Oh well by that time I usually have a full Renegade bar anyway. xD

I went the other route, I was fully paragon at the end with a bit of renegade somehow. I still don't know how I got those points, but whatever.

Did you push the merc out the window? Its okay, everyone did it, you don't have to feel guilty.

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?

OP your probably the nicest atheist I've ever met when it comes to religion.

Its kinda hard to be a mean atheist when most of my friends are religious, and devout Arabs for that matter. I wouldn't really be friends if I hated their beliefs, but that being said we never talk about religion.

Evidentially not if you describe them as 'devout Arabs', considering 'Arab' is not a religion.
I have no trouble with religion in games, provided it's not preachy, because I'm playing a game in an imaginary world. I expect a lot of imaginary things.[/quote]

I say devout Arabs because they ARE all Arabs, and they ARE all devout to their religions (Muslim and Christianity).

 

[Cheesepower5]

As an atheist I find the subject of religion, old or new, to be fascinating. It's a great thing to base a setting around.

 

[Outcast107]

Another example, is Warhammer 40K lore.

From the Imperial of Man, to the Forces of chaos there a whole bunch of awesomesacue in that lore.

 

[Seraniel]

if a game involves Humans and it has a lot of freedom to move around (RPGs and MMO'S) i dont see why not. almost every RPG has a fictional religion like The Elder scrolls for example.
a lot of MMO'S are actualy based on different factions from some sort of fictional religion fighting eachother. but yeah if it involves humans im not sure if it is even realistic not to involve A religion even if its just in a minor way.

 

[Tharwen]

I like the way they did it in Dragon Age, where there is no direct evidence of The Maker's existence, but it's accepted as fact by most of the characters. It feels like it's not being forced when that happens, and it lets you laugh at the characters who devote their lives to it.

 

[KalosCast]

Fantasy Religions: Help flesh out the universe, and interesting things can be done with them, since the deities can show that their presence is completely real. Other games, like Dragon Age, do it well by having a valid non-religious theory for The Maker's different miracles, such as the incredibly potent lyrium vein near Andraste's ashes. Though in a universe where people can come back from the dead, and demons often manifest in the physical realm, it seems like we should be able to get a definitive answer to this.

Real Life Religions: Like most "big issues" (racism, sexuality, abuse, etc.) this has the chance at making a huge difference in the game, and make the narrative that much more realistic and powerful... but if it's handled poorly it just seems hokey and forced, which in turn takes a lot away from the game. Though it works great as a background/historical element, like in the Total War games.

 

[spartan231490]

I'm a fan of anything that makes the game world more complex, especially something like religion that makes the game feel more real. Only part I dislike is if the main character's religion is forced upon the player. Doesn't really bother me, but I feel it's a poor choice.

 

[DarkShadow144]

Im athiest but i like to study religion, so games like Dante's Inferno I really love. It wasnt for the gameplay or anything, it was just that the developers were able to bring one version (my favorite and probably the most accepted version) to life. So if developers do a good job at representing a religion, be it in a game that is entire based on a religion like Dante's Inferno or God of War, or if it is just part of the plot, and be it a religion in real life or just one created for the game, I dont care a think it might actually add some story to the game

 

[SNIPERFOX ft. Harry P.Ness]

I only care about it if they exist like in say, oblivion

 

[Casual Shinji]

Seeing as two of my favourite games are filled with religion (God of War, Okami) I'm perfectly fine with it.

 

[Meatman]

Only so long as it avoids stereotypes.