Like DOOM III, But With Added Jesus!

July 6, 2006 6:31 PM | Simon Carless

One of the plus sides of representing Gamasutra is that we get all kinds of entertaining press releases, such as a new one promoting the 'Great Conquest Collection', "a six-pack of [PC] games that provides players over 70 hours of playing time filled with fun, action, entertainment, skill-development and moral enhancement."

What's more, the press release comes with a killer quote that we love: "These games are the equivalent to violent games such as DOOM III, however these games have been built to encourage the younger Christians with Biblical values in a storyline about spiritual warfare," writes Rob Allwright, editor, Soteria Magazine. So... like DOOM III, but with less of the demons, then? Eeexcellent!

The collected games include some we've heard of before - we're particularly tickled by 'Ominous Horizons: A Paladin's Calling', which is about Johannes Gutenberg's printing press being stolen in 15th Century Mainz (!): "Gutenberg could now create thousands of copies of the Bible to be distributed throughout the world, making the Word of God easily available to any who sought it. With his press destroyed, and the Bible stolen, a Paladin is called upon to once again free the world of evil and return the Bible to Gutenberg. You are that Paladin in, Ominous Horizons: A Paladin's Calling." No, really - you ARE that Paladin!

Unbelievably, there's an even better quote to end the press release. Harry E. Pratt, regional spokesperson for Christian Game Developers Foundation, says: "Parents and grandparents have become quite frustrated. They want video games that will challenge and excite their children in a positive way... The Great Conquest Collection positively influences our youth and provides lasting moral implications for them. We are fully confident our video games will prepare all players in their daily battle against the devil, his followers and their evil ways." Or your money back.

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Categories: PC

12 Comments

If anything, these games are a glorification of Christian religions theatrics. I mean, "We are fully confident our video games will prepare all players in their daily battle against the devil, his followers and their evil ways."? Come on, no reasonably thinking person would think that, and besides, 'his followers' and 'evil ways' are definitions which can be adjusted to whatever the speaker wants it to be.

If someone wants to make a Christian game I'm all for it -> freedom of speech hurrah, but untill now no Christian game with proper Christian values and morale has ever been made. I doubt that will ever happen anyway, since the prime Chrisian Game Developers (or whatever) simply don't have what it takes in both the developing and religious sense.

Joriaan | July 7, 2006 4:27 AM

If anyone wants to talk about the post I just made, feel free to send me an email. But I do mean, talk, as in converse on the subject, not blame me for satanism or something.

Joriaan | July 7, 2006 4:29 AM

Well, aside from the sermonizing/evangelizing, which is personally offensive, how can you fault these? You don't see anyone making fun of Titan Quest, a game clearly based on mythological elements that were at one point highly ceremonial and religious for a different society in a different time.

As Clive Barker once put it (if I have the attribution correct), the Bible is one of the most ripping works of ancient historical fantasy going.

I mean, who the heck needs Hunter Thompson when you've got Revelations?

Matt Peckham | July 7, 2006 7:23 AM

I'm a christian myself and througout my childhood I played a few "christian" games that were horendously subpar to their secular counterpart. This is true because when creating a work of art(which is what gaming has recently been acknowleged as) it is best to leave one's own agenda out and just make something good. J.R.R.Tolkien is one prime example of a christian creating a masterpiece that everyone can enjoy. Christian developers think that they have to "save" everyone they can when they can, while simply focusing on making a fun game could make more of a difference.
Personally, I think I'll stick to Doom3 and even Titan Quest, which happens to be quite good.

Sv | July 7, 2006 8:22 AM

Best work of Christian fiction, The Chronicles Of Narnia. Non-believers like it since it is a good story, and the Christians liek it because it is about our Saviour. But I have to agree, no good Christian games have come out that I have seen.

James | July 7, 2006 9:57 AM

Christian games have always been the epitome of "preaching to the choir," they have never attempted to make games that are actually GOOD GAMES first, and evangelical tools second. Plus, they always choose the most heavy-handed method to get their message across.

Christian games should be like good Christian metal...exactly like secular metal, but with a biblical message, delivered in a way that doesn't bludgeon you over the head.

Actually, good Christian metal IS a bit like being bludgeoned over the head...but for other reasons. Hehe...

Jack | July 7, 2006 11:47 AM

It takes a little navigating to dig up, but here's a video. Doom3 it ain't. Looks more like a crappy Quake2 mod.

UltraMagnus | July 7, 2006 1:39 PM

Hey for all you haters out there, you def. need to go check out THE BIBLE GAME... A sweet piece of videogame masterpiece, and hey, don't diss it till you've tried it, I had many fun games with the kids.

Josh | July 7, 2006 2:19 PM

95% of media that decides to add "Christian" to it's name is a joke in my opinion.

What's the difference between Doom 3, Halo 2, and this game? Cosmetics. No matter what you may change about them, the player's actions are very similar: you go out there and kill stuff. It makes me wonder what they're trying to protect their children from by making these kinds of games, because it doesn't sound like it's violence. If it's moral enhancement you're looking for, read the Bible or watch a movie. There's pleanty out there that support Christian morals without being overtly Christian. But don't try and tell people that an FPS is going to help them grow as Chrisians.

Frosty | July 8, 2006 8:36 AM

Isn't Doom already about doing "...battle against the devil, his followers and their evil ways."?

Jason | July 8, 2006 9:18 AM