Can Christian Video Games Entertain?

Posted on August 25, 2005

The Christian Science Monitor has a news story about some emerging Christian gaming titles that focus on the power of prayer over the power of the sword. The article discusses one game, called Catechumen, which the Monitor cleverly calls a "raise-'em-up" game.

Call it a case of raise-'em-up rather than shoot-'em-up. When the hero with a in the video game "Catechumen" uses a "sword of the spirit" to vanquish a Roman soldier possessed by demons, a bright light appears and a "Hallelujah" chorus sounds. The soldier falls to his knees and prays.
"He's been delivered," says Ralph Bagley, CEO and founder of N'Lightning Software Development, which created and distributes the game.
With its lack of violence and gore, "Catechumen" is a far cry from "Doom," "Grand Theft Auto," and other popular video games. It's one of a handful of Christian videogames created as clean, Bible-based alternatives to other games.

The problem for Christian game developers like the two discussed in the Monitor article (N'Lightning and Digital Praise) is to make these games fun without being so overly preachy that they turn off kids. Will kids want to play the new Catechumen or the controversial God of War or both?

David Cole of research firm DFC Intelligence told the Monitor that children also already have plenty of non-violent titles to chose from so Christian games not only have to compete with video games laden with sex and violence but fun games without mature themes as well.

Some examples that we have discussed on Gamers Game include Nintendogs, Zoo Vet, Wild Earth and Hello Kitty Roller Rescue.