For the most part, video games are mainstream. Casual games and the Wii have removed most stigmas surrounding video games. The violence and pornography that inhabits some games is something akin to those subjects in films. Games and gamers aren’t the oddities they were when I was growing up. However, the “Christian” video game genre lives in a ghetto unto itself. With games like Bibleman, it is no wonder that the genre is scorned.
Putting aside the fact that the best and brightest game designers and programmers aren’t developing “Christian” video games, the biggest problem is using the term “‘Christian’” video games.” You may have noticed that I keep putting quotes around Christian in the context of video games. The reason I do this is my belief that for something to be Christian it must proclaim Jesus Christ and Him crucified for the sins of the world. Don’t have that, don’t call it Christian. (Video games aren’t the only area where this is done, take a look at the site A Little Leaven and you’ll find “Christian” hair products, tire gauges, etc.) What is Christian about Bejeweled with crucifixes or a word puzzle with words from the Bible? There is some hope with games like “Timothy and Titus” and “Deliverance: Moses in the Pharaoh’s Courts” but since I haven’t played these games I would still hesitate to call them Christian.
I think Bible-based would be a good term. I think it would even allow for some level of violence as the Bible isn’t rated G.
