Christian Games Seek Souls

For Christian gamers, it takes discernment and experience to purchase games that will not clash with their God-fearing upbringing. But these Christian are at odds with the secular gaming industry: each successive generation of games is designed to be more outrageous and more titillating than before.

For instance, the gaming community has been abuzz since it was discovered that a patch installed onto the popular Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas game unlocks sex-scenes viewable by the player. That revelation caused the Entertainment Software Rating Board to revise its rating for the game from Mature to Adults Only, the most stringent rating available for computer games.

However, a new wave of Christian game developers is rising up, aiming to satisfy both the spirit and thirst for adventure in the heart of Christian gamers. Their motives are not financially driven, but to put their own love of games to use, glorifying the name of God while providing challenging Christian entertainment.

"The secular industry is trying to be more shocking ... and we want to show that games can be inspired by more than just violence and lust," said Ralph Bagley, CEO of N'Lightning Software Development. Bagley wants his company to offer wholesome gaming alternatives, but not restrict the availability of other games: "It's not about censorship," he said.

"We will shake up the industry in a positive way," said Bagley, whose latest game is Ringo the Rolling Cherub, the story of a fallen angel with an attitude.

The comments by Bagley were made at the fourth annual Christian Game Developers Conference, a conference with the purpose of encouraging game developers to apply Christian principles within the industry.

Although the conference had many of the hallmarks of software development conferences - a casual atmosphere, free pizza, black T-shirts – the atmosphere was unusually cozy and communal. Approximately 115 people attended the 4 day event, which allows Christian developers to share ideas and to exhibit new technologies.

The foundation that hosted the conference, the Christian Game Developers Foundation, is a non-profit organization that raises money to give grants to help launch Christian game companies. The maximum grant available is $500,000.

Peter Churness is a Lutheran Pastor and one of the leaders of the Christian gaming movement. He is the founder of Rebel Planet Creations, the producer of the visually-stunning “The Rebel Planet,” as well as its lead programmer. “The Rebel Planet” is set in the time before the Great Flood of Noah, chronicling the journeys of Orion (modeled after the biblical Enoch), and his journey that will bring a wizened Adam back to faith and hope in God.

Churness admits that competing with industry Goliaths like Electronic Arts is difficult, especially when resources for programmers are limited. However, if Christian games make enough inroads, even the secular gaming industry will take notice, and competition in the wholesome gaming genre could emerge. And for game developers, seeing fewer titles like Grand Theft Auto and more titles like The Rebel Planet is a win-win situation for everybody.