I have this idea that video games can be used as a tool to spread the Gospel. I really don’t know if it’s possible. The medium of video games lends itself to choice, control, and interaction as opposed to words which convey linearity, specificity, and propositional truth. Looking at these attributes, you can see why words are the optimal medium for transmitting the Christian faith as Lutherans confess it. Choice, control, and interaction are not primary concerns when we speak of the faith, so video games may be a completely incompatible medium for proclaiming the Gospel. I’ve made several feeble attempts (here, here, and here ) but they certainly don’t convey Law and Gospel in any sense. I am not going to stop trying, I’m just not laboring under any illusions.

That being said, I will say definitively that video games don’t belong in the divine service. “Of course,” you say, “Who would ever do something like that?” Well, here’s a blog post where the author talks about his idea for using an interactive experience to reinforce the message of a sermon. The tool is in its early stages of development and is implemented as a video clip, but the author sees its future as a fully developed interactive environment. The post has a video clip for how it was used in a “worship service.” This is crazy! It utterly and completely takes our focus off of Christ and what He has done and has us concerned about our experiences. If I were a fundamentalist, I’d say this was proof that video games are tools of the devil. Used in this way, they are completely turning us from Christ. (Since, I’m not a fundamentalist, I’ll say that sinful man has turned these gifts from God against Him.)

The other thing that caught my eye was that this was done at Lutheran Church of Hope. I did some digging and they appear to be an ELCA congregation but that doesn’t excuse them from obscuring the Gospel gifts uncovered by the reformers. I wish they would drop the “Lutheran” part of their name so the casual onlooker doesn’t confuse them with confessional Lutherans. My sinful side thinks they kept the Lutheran prefix because churchofhope.org was already taken.

Today’s (actually yesterday’s) exercise in the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog Challenge, is to write a “list post.” So here’s my attempt to comply.
Nihilism is a worldview that holds there is no value or meaning in life, it just exists. Here are my top 5 retro-games that exhibit this worldview.
5. Defender
I’m defender of the planet. The aliens waves never stop. The aliens get stronger if they merge with those I’m pledged to protect. Wouldn’t it be easier to just kill most of the inhabitants to prevent the super aliens?
4. Donkey Kong
I dodge barrels, fireballs, and springs. I climb oddly configured construction sites all to stand face-to-face with the object of our affection who is continually whisked away by a big gorilla. Why won’t she run away with us? Girl, he’s not even paying attention to you. Get out of there!!!
3. Night Driver
Where in the world am I driving to? Why does this road never end? Why did I pay to play this? Why did I think this was fun?
2. Asteroids
You are alone, surviving a never-ending onslaught of asteroids and the occasional alien ship who may help or hurt your cause. Deep space is a lonely place, but at least you’re armed.
1. Pac-ManA never changing maze, bad guys chasing you, and a incessant siren blaring. Your only reprieve is an occasional power-pill that lets you turn the tables on the bad guys for a short time. This is the bleak world of Pac-Man.

So here’s the game I’ve been working on since the start of the year. It’s a little rough, and I’m no Ed McMahon, but I hope someone finds it enjoyable.

If you want to embed it in your site, copy and paste:
<embed src=”http://joyfulgames.com/LutheranInquisition.swf” width=”600″ height=”400″ />

In yet another attempt to kick-start this blog, I’m working through the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog Challenge. The first task is to write an elevator pitch. The short pitch is the title of this post. All posts will deal with “Game development with a Christian Worldview.” I think it gives me the right amount of latitude in posting anything from code samples and game design to game reviews and recommendations.

The long pitch is:

Few games ha a distinctly Christian worldview. I hope this blog encourages and assists other game developers in creating games with a Christian worldview. I also hope that the gamers in general will benefit from this blog by understanding the worldview that various games put forth and by helping them find games that exhibit a Christian worldview.

There are my two pitches and my hope I’m for a more consistent and useful blog.

Previous Weeks

• Finished the game script
• Display the graphics and audio for the splash screen
• Gathered audio, graphics, and fonts for the intro screen

This Week

• Finish the intro screen

Summary

I missed a week, but made decent progress. I have the makings of an actual game, not just assets. Gotta just keep pushing.

Last Week

• Got close to finishing game script

This Week

• Finish the games script
• Display Graphics for splash screen
• Find audio for splash screen

Summary

Pretty big setback last week. My power adapter failed on Tuesday and I didn’t get a replacement until Friday night. Last weeks task have become this weeks.

Last Week

• Selected the questions
• Started writing the game script
• Display the splash screen (no graphics)

This Week

• Finish the games script
• Display Graphics for splash screen
• Find audio for splash screen

Summary

I made reasonable progress. I got a pretty good start on the script. I need to keep the momentum going and finish it off. I have some ideas for what to display for the splash screen, but it’s ambitious to think I’ll get it fully displayed.

Last Week

• Setup a new TextMate project for development and testing
• Added a couple more questions
• Re-installed Trac

This Week

• Select 7 questions
• Start writing the game script
• Display the splash page (not the full sequence)

Summary

Well the Trac installation crapped out after I had added a bunch of stuff. No idea why, just got a 500 error while trying to access it. If the installation fails 2 more times, I’ll ditch it.

Progress was minimal on the game itself. Family and house work took precedence. I hope to make some real visible progress this week.

Last Week

• Gathered a bunch of questions for the new quiz game
• Setup Trac for managing features and issues
• Added a bunch of tasks to my to-do list

This Week

• Setup game development environment
• Start pruning the list of questions for the game
• Start writing the script for the game

Summary

I’m still excited about the game, so that’s a good thing. Tons to do. I’m interested to see how Trac works for me. I don’t know if it will start feeling like I’m managing another to-do list or if it will really be useful as a project management tool.

Here’s the Flash game I’ve been working on.

A simple little concentration game with Martin Luther looking on. Listen to some interesting sound bytes as you complete matches. You may even hear some words from Fr. Martin.