Contextual Review
Faith does not seem like a prominent factor in videogames, and it is rare to find a clear link to religion from within games. In today’s society, games are a major factor in youth culture, even though there is a constant worry about the influence they may have on young people. With games being such a big part of youth culture, can they be used to teach young people about ethical values? If so, which games can be used in this way? How far can games become a part of religious teachings? With this in mind, this essay will focus on Christian teachings and relevant ethical values.
Guardians of Ancora – The City of Ancora
Guardians of Ancora – In-game Screenshot
There are countless games available today, varying from different consoles, genres, and art styles. Even though there are so many games, attempts to create Christian educational games have thus far fallen short of the mark. However, a recent appearance has caused quite a stir in the Christian community. Scripture Union (2015) has commissioned the game ‘Guardians of Ancora’; a game where the player is required to play through the various Bible stories, in order to restore light to the city of Ancora. This integration of Christian teachings, with an interactive story that the player is able to progress through, is what has made the game so popular.
Flower – Standing Stone
Flower – Swarm of Petals
Premier Digital (2015) held a Christian conference in London called ‘Create’. The conference explored all things digital, and how such digital forms can be used to spread the message of Christ. Robertson (2015) held a discussion session about videogames, how to clearly judge a game’s content, and how they can be used in a Christian environment. He discussed the game ‘Flower’ (Thatgamecompany, 2009) and how he had used the game as part of a church service. The game was set up to be played throughout the service, and the controller was passed around the congregation. The game was displayed not for entertainment purposes, but for the atmosphere it created. This atmosphere, coupled with the service and its teachings, created a moving and engaging experience.
Passage
Marriage
There are other games that can be used in a similar manner, but instead of creating atmosphere and mood, these games are designed to clearly relate real life issues, which can easily link to Christian teachings. Passage (Rohrer, 2007) is a pixilated game that requires little effort to play, and is created to reflect the passage of time throughout a person’s life. Christian teachings, such as life and death, can be linked in with the gameplay, and the short visual story that is portrayed. Another example is a game called ‘Marriage’ (Humble, 2007). This game attempts to relate the problems that a couple may encounter throughout their married life. This topic can clearly be linked to Christian teachings, on topics such as adultery, love, and loyalty.
The Cave – Start Screen
The Cave – Gift Shop
Along with explicitly Christian and serious games, there are also the very generic games that are designed for entertainment purposes. Such games often contain theme or stories that can be turned towards Christian teachings. The Cave (Double Fine, 2013) is a game designed to relate bad morals and their possible (though quite extreme) consequences. The game contains seven different characters that the player can use. Each character allows the play-through of a different area, and tells of the immoral decision (often murder) that the character has made to attain their heart’s desire. However, the player is able to change the immoral ending by relinquishing their heart’s desire in exchange for a better future. These moral issues can be drawn into a Christian context, with teachings such as money doesn’t buy happiness, and the wrongs of jealousy and deceit.
Games may seem to be an antisocial medium and entertainment form, however, they create a great deal of social interaction. Games have the ability to bring people together and to have fun, even if they have never met before. Sanctuary (2015) was an all-night youth event held at Blackburn cathedral which consisted of a number of teaching workshops. Towards the later part of the night there was a time for relaxed fun and games, and this is where videogames were played. Games such as ‘Mario Kart’ (Nintendo, 2008) and ‘Just Dance’ (Ubisoft, 2014) encourage people to play with a friendly competitiveness with complete strangers. Games not only bring people together, they also create discussion. People remember areas of games that were particularly challenging, or fun to complete, and will talk about these areas with friends. They also create a conversation starter; much like football being a common discussion topic, games too are extremely popular, and therefore many people are able to relate to them.
Conclusion
Games can clearly be used in a Christian context, whether this be a game designed purely to relate Christian teachings, or games designed for entertainment purposes. However, care needs to be taken. With games mainly being seen as for entertainment purposes, having games in such a serious environment may cause the viewers to become distracted from the message. Emphasis should be drawn to the message, showing that the game is being used as a tool to relate the teachings.
References
Games
Double Fine Productions, 2013. The Cave [Videogame] IOS/Android/PC. San Francisco: Sega
Humble, R., 2009. Marriage [Videogame] PC. Available at: <http://www.rodvik.com/rodgames/marriage.html> [Accessed 02/12/2015]
Insomniac Games, 2006. Resistance: Fall of Man [Videogame] PlayStation 3. Tokyo: Sony
Nintendo, 2008. Mario Kart Wii [Videogame] Wii. Kyoto Prefecture: Nintendo
Rohrer, J., 2007. Passage [Videogame] PC. Available at: <http://hcsoftware.sourceforge.net/passage/> [Accessed 02/12/2015]
Scripture Union, 2015. Guardians of Ancora [Videogame] IOS/Android. Leeds: Dubit
Thatgamecompany, 2009. Flower [Videogame] PlayStation 3/4/Vita. Tokyo: Sony
Ubisoft, 2009. Just Dance Wii [Videogame] Wii. Montreuil: Ubisoft
Events
Robertson, A., 2015. Create a Game. Premier Digital Create Conference. 14th November. London
Sanctuary, 2015. Light in the Darkness. Sanctuary, 20th February, Blackburn
Images
alex, 2012. The Cave - Start Screen. [Image Online] Available at: <http://www.giantbomb.com/images/1300-2213587/> [Accessed 02/12/2015]
DuPont, P., 2013. The Cave – Gift Shop [Image Online] Available at: <https://mac.appstorm.net/general/delve-into-the-opaque-mysteries-of-the-cave/> [Accessed 03/12/2015]
gamestore24, 2015. Guardians of Ancora – City of Ancora [Image Online] Available at: <http://gamestore24h.com/?p=14877> [Accessed 02/12/2015]
gamestore24, 2015. Guardians of Ancora – In-game Screenshot [Image Online] Available at: <http://gamestore24h.com/?p=14877> [Accessed 02/12/2015]
Harman, S., 2014. Flower – Swarm of Petals [Image Online] Available at: <http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-01-03-what-to-make-of-flow-and-flower-on-ps4> [Accessed 03/12/2015]
lemmiwinks, 2008. The Marriage [Image Online] Available at: <http://www.giantbomb.com/images/1300-549477> [Accessed 02/12/2015]
MadewithGoProHD3, 2013. Flower – Standing Stone. [Image Online] Available at: <http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x16207y_ps4-flower-flow-sound-shapes-escape-plan-trailer_videogames> [Accessed 02/12/2015]
Stanley, D. E., 2012. Passage [Image Online] Available at: <http://www.creativeapplications.net/games/exhausting-gameplay-by-douglas-edric-stanley-theory-games/> [Accessed 02/12/2015]
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