Video Games...

One day I'll base a Sunday school lesson on some of my PlayStation games and I'll feel a whole lot better about playing them

 

Does watching Television, movies, playing and/or watching Baseball, basketball, football...any sport? Does eating dinner at a fancy restaurant, going to the opera? The list goes on and on.


Though some specific games may not be pleasing to the Lord, to say that all video games are bad is to claim that all lesiure activities are as well.

As with anything, we should always make sure that our leisure activities never take us away from serving the Lord. Too much time being spent on even "good" things can take us away from doing what the Lord wants us to do.

~Lorelei

 

Excellent Answer Lorelei!

Diane

 

If Christians are in every walk of life, why can't some of the Christian video developers come up with a game or two that would be both entertaining and edifying. There are board games, books, magazines, music, TV shows, etc., why not video games? Surely, some of the exciting times in the Bible could be adapted to a game. Battles in the OT, David and Galiath, Plagues on Egypt, and the Battle of Armageddon. I am sure someone could come up with something that would satisfy even an old semi-retired legalist like me.

 

There are christian video games, just not for the newer game systems(to my knowledge there aren't, I haven't kept up since the boys grew up.) I ahve a couple for my old NES, and I know there are a few for SNES, and te old Sega.

 

They have such games, or at least attempted. But there are other factors at work as well. It takes a team of programmers to develop a quality game - and there are numerous factors that determine the success or failure of the game. The days of one programmer sitting down and cranking out a fun game are basically over. Today's games are graphic wonders.

The other issue is marketing - is there a large enough customer base which would buy such a game? I'm afraid that the Christian community is too fragmented to support an effor like this. Think of the issues we debate now - and imagine all of the issues surrounding a "Christian" themed game: Is it scriptually accurate in every detail? Would we not debate that just like we debate other concepts from the Bible?

It would be interesting to have games based on bibical characters - but I'm afraid that in order to make them interesting you'd have to introduce non-bibical concepts. For example, in a battle between Israel and a heathen nation, there would have to be the chance that Israel would lose in order to make it challenging. How many would scream that that's not bibically accurate that God's people would lose the fight at Jericho?

 

Christian software, especially games/graphics, is an area I'm really interested in. The amount of Christian developers making Christian games is disproportionally small, I think partially due to marketing reasons (If you're going to put that much effort into a quality game, why limit yourself to such a small market?)

There are still some great products being made though, but mostly the computer is the platform of choice for developers. Catechuman, Omnious Horizons, Saints of Virtue, Eternal War, etc, are all examples of 3D, action, Christian games. A new one in the works that looks very promising is "Orion" at http://www.therebelplanet.com/

See more at: http://www.graceworksinteractive.com/cgnow/

About the "debate" issue, I don't think many developers are too concerned with that, they just want you to try their game. The only real "debate" I've seen developers interested in about developing the games is how much violence is acceptable in a Christian game.

BTW, try my Bible-based screen saver "Codex" at http://www.tegarttech.com/codex Free registration if you email me and tell me you saw this post on the BaptistBoard!

 

I agree! I don't think the Lord minds if we enjoy ourselves with good things as long as it is done in moderation.

 

What about Grand Theft Auto 3, Manhunt, etc? I don't think God necessarily approves 100%.

 

Check out your local Lifeway. They advertised 'The Fiery Darts' video games and a new comic book series with Bible Heroes called 'Power Mark'.

Diane

 

Well I could derfinatly find better things to do with my time, but that might just be me. I'd rather be reading, playing piano or the harp, or around people, but those are my preferances on how to spend free time.
Video Games are probably like TV when it comes to wheither or not to do it.
Some people chose not to do it, and some chose to do it. I don't have a problem with either. Every once in awhile I'll watch a program on TV. But I'll change the channel when I hear cursing, or see something inappropriete. (and it's pretty hard to watch anything without some distastefull commercials!) This probably explains why I hardly ever watch TV!
And I've played a few video games (Although I'm not very good at them!) from time to time. In fact yesterday I played one of those Mario games with my baby brother. But I'm not gonna sit down and play something that has cursing, violence, immodestly dressed people and ungodly music.
I just ain't gonna put that in my mind. I don't believe that's honoring to God, so I don't want to be around it.

These are the kinds of things we need to put in our mind.
You've got good and bad game choices. Stay away from the bad ones, and don't let it come between your time with God, and I don't see where there is a problem. But I would say that anything that comes between you and the Lord, and the time Ya'll spend together, CUT IT OUT. Wheither it be video games, Tv, reading, sports, ect.
Miss Abby
Proverbs 31:30 KJB

 

I personally cannot STAND video games. I know waaay too many kids in my church that play video games for hours on end. I suppose if that's what you like, that's fine. There's nothing wrong when it's in moderation. It's when people start playing video games more than reading their Bible, or putting them in importance over praying. God and church should be preimenant in your life, not prominent. Premienant is #1, above everything else. If video games are coming before God in your life, it's time to re-examine yourself.

 

But for most people, myself included, videogames are just a hobby, just like I watch TV, and play badminton and tennis. ANY activity, when not done in moderation, is harmful; just because some kids play videogames obsessively is no reason to abhor them; many people watch TV obsessively, or (worse) gamble or drink obsessively.

 

I have a temper - a long fuse - but very big keg

Video games help me

There are times when Christians and life(mostly life) get me so sad - and so angry that I cannot sleep.

I want to start ripping into people - saying Calvinists are self-deluded Pharasaical...

well you get the idea - and Salvation is just one of my many "buttons" - I try to discuss Scripture - but my brother feels compelled to always bring up the end-time view which he knows I feel is wrong - He wont even discuss other things. He emailed me a link - and I replied to it - point by point - he didnt like that he said - you aren't paying attention to the whole point

and lets not bother about how unappreciative some people are

Im so tired now - that my work may suffer today
Playing video games lets me vent my rage and my sorrow - defuse and diffuse myself without expressing myself in "socially" unacceptable ways