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Christian video game prays for mass appeal by Glenn Chapman
Thu Aug 31, 1:09 AM ET
SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - God's army will begin battling the Antichrist and his minions in a video game version of post-apocalyptic New York City to be released on Friday.
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A beta version of Christian-based computer strategy game "Left Behind: Eternal Forces" will be released aiming at the kind of mass-market success garnered by films such as "The Chronicles of Narnia" and "The Passion of The Christ."
The game is based on the 15 "Left Behind" books by evangelical Christian authors Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, which have logged sales in the tens of millions.
"Eternal Forces" is set at the Biblical end of time known as the Rapture, according to Dereck Wong of Left Behind Games in California.
It pits "good" Tribulation Forces against "evil" Global Community Peacekeepers led by the anti-Christ.
The key to the game is recruiting and sustaining people and winning inevitable, albeit bloodless, battles, between good and evil, according to Wong. The characters and storyline are from the first four "Left Behind" books.
"Rumors can be set to rest regarding the content," said Left Behind Games chief executive Troy Lyndon. "'Eternal Forces' has no blood, no gore, no call to jihad and no gratuitous sex or violence of any kind."
For the Tribulation Force, prayer is a key strategy to build points. Another way is finding hidden scrolls bearing scripture verses left behind by loved ones already whisked into the afterlife.
In contrast, the Antichrist forces get strength by swearing and wicked deeds, according to the game makers.
Players conduct "physical and spiritual warfare" and can trigger "spectacular angelic or demonic activity" with their choices.
"We really are the alternative to a 'Grand Theft Auto'," Wong said, referring to the hit video game in which points are scored by carjacking, killings, and other malevolence.
"What we are finding is violence doesn't make it a better game. Gamers are interested in the storyline and the challenge."
Winning play gets rewarded with "Christian theme songs" or tips about what will happen to a person during the Rapture, which evangelical Christians believe is the time that Jesus ushers all believers to heaven.
But non-believers can skip the rewards and play the game too, Wong said.
"We wanted it to be a great game first ... We are not here to preach to you. It is not a game to be Bible-thumping."
Even so, players will be encouraged to seek out up to seven other friends to play together on line, according to Wong.
It remains to be seen whether a Christian-themed game can take off.
"It is untested waters, but clearly there is potential," said analyst David Cole of DFC Intelligence, which tracks the computer game industry. "Look at the number of Christians out there."
"If you asked people several years ago whether they would ever do a major movie with a Christian theme, you'd get a lot of skeptics. Then Mel Gibson came along and did a movie that was quite successful," he said, referring to the 2004 hit film "The Passion of the Christ".
"Gamers have this stereotype of being real violent, but that hasn't been the truth historically," Cole said.
Cole referred to the blockbuster successes of Pokeman, Mario Brothers, Tetris, and "cutesy fantasy land games."
Studies indicate the average age for gamers is about 32, and that they spend more time playing strategy games than gory games.
Demo versions of "Eternal Forces" were tested on people attending Christian rock music concerts and got enthusiastic reviews, Wong said.
Megachurches, those with memberships topping 3,000 parishioners, have reportedly committed to distribute the beta version of the game, which will also be available at the Left Behind Games website.
Mainstream retailers were interested in the game and a European distributor was in place, according to the company.
The final version of Eternal Forces is slated for distribution in time for the Christmas shopping season, and will include a copy of the first Left Behind book, at a planned price of 49.95 dollars.
"It's exciting," Wong said. "We are competing with the Electronic Arts and the Activisions of the world."
Thu Aug 31, 1:09 AM ET
SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - God's army will begin battling the Antichrist and his minions in a video game version of post-apocalyptic New York City to be released on Friday.
ADVERTISEMENT
A beta version of Christian-based computer strategy game "Left Behind: Eternal Forces" will be released aiming at the kind of mass-market success garnered by films such as "The Chronicles of Narnia" and "The Passion of The Christ."
The game is based on the 15 "Left Behind" books by evangelical Christian authors Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, which have logged sales in the tens of millions.
"Eternal Forces" is set at the Biblical end of time known as the Rapture, according to Dereck Wong of Left Behind Games in California.
It pits "good" Tribulation Forces against "evil" Global Community Peacekeepers led by the anti-Christ.
The key to the game is recruiting and sustaining people and winning inevitable, albeit bloodless, battles, between good and evil, according to Wong. The characters and storyline are from the first four "Left Behind" books.
"Rumors can be set to rest regarding the content," said Left Behind Games chief executive Troy Lyndon. "'Eternal Forces' has no blood, no gore, no call to jihad and no gratuitous sex or violence of any kind."
For the Tribulation Force, prayer is a key strategy to build points. Another way is finding hidden scrolls bearing scripture verses left behind by loved ones already whisked into the afterlife.
In contrast, the Antichrist forces get strength by swearing and wicked deeds, according to the game makers.
Players conduct "physical and spiritual warfare" and can trigger "spectacular angelic or demonic activity" with their choices.
"We really are the alternative to a 'Grand Theft Auto'," Wong said, referring to the hit video game in which points are scored by carjacking, killings, and other malevolence.
"What we are finding is violence doesn't make it a better game. Gamers are interested in the storyline and the challenge."
Winning play gets rewarded with "Christian theme songs" or tips about what will happen to a person during the Rapture, which evangelical Christians believe is the time that Jesus ushers all believers to heaven.
But non-believers can skip the rewards and play the game too, Wong said.
"We wanted it to be a great game first ... We are not here to preach to you. It is not a game to be Bible-thumping."
Even so, players will be encouraged to seek out up to seven other friends to play together on line, according to Wong.
It remains to be seen whether a Christian-themed game can take off.
"It is untested waters, but clearly there is potential," said analyst David Cole of DFC Intelligence, which tracks the computer game industry. "Look at the number of Christians out there."
"If you asked people several years ago whether they would ever do a major movie with a Christian theme, you'd get a lot of skeptics. Then Mel Gibson came along and did a movie that was quite successful," he said, referring to the 2004 hit film "The Passion of the Christ".
"Gamers have this stereotype of being real violent, but that hasn't been the truth historically," Cole said.
Cole referred to the blockbuster successes of Pokeman, Mario Brothers, Tetris, and "cutesy fantasy land games."
Studies indicate the average age for gamers is about 32, and that they spend more time playing strategy games than gory games.
Demo versions of "Eternal Forces" were tested on people attending Christian rock music concerts and got enthusiastic reviews, Wong said.
Megachurches, those with memberships topping 3,000 parishioners, have reportedly committed to distribute the beta version of the game, which will also be available at the Left Behind Games website.
Mainstream retailers were interested in the game and a European distributor was in place, according to the company.
The final version of Eternal Forces is slated for distribution in time for the Christmas shopping season, and will include a copy of the first Left Behind book, at a planned price of 49.95 dollars.
"It's exciting," Wong said. "We are competing with the Electronic Arts and the Activisions of the world."
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no subject
Date: 2006-09-01 05:05 pm (UTC)From:"Fundementalist game 1.5: now with black people!"
Date: 2006-09-01 06:54 pm (UTC)From:And I guess that says something about the makers too! Only the Caucasians shall inherit the earth? I DON'T THINK SO! But then again at least all the bad guys are white as well. A small compensation, but still!And how boring would the world be with out all races and cultures? DULL for sure!
Re: "Fundementalist game 1.5: now with black people!"
Date: 2006-09-01 11:01 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2006-09-01 05:33 pm (UTC)From:Nucking Futz doesn't even begin to cover these folks. And as previously noted, the game might as well be aimed at neo-Nazi skin head fundamentalists. You get BONUS POINTS for the ruthless slaughter of anyone Arabic as well.
Free speech and all that...but there should be protests when this thing launches.
no subject
Date: 2006-09-01 06:51 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2006-09-01 07:02 pm (UTC)From:WHAT? Oh no they didn't! *in my best ghetto voice, including hip shake and head roll*
You have got to be kidding me! And they think it will do well? Wait of course it will. It is based on 15 Left Behind Books! How insulting and just wrong. I understand everyone has their own beliefs, but to kill people based on their religious beliefs in a video game in this day and age!!!!!Wait isn't there a war going on forsimilar reasons?XP It just reminds me of Sami406's post on Aug. 28th : Rep. Harris: Church-state separation 'a lie'
MIAMI, Florida (AP) -- U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris told a religious journal that separation of church and state is "a lie" and God and the nation's founding fathers did not intend the country be "a nation of secular laws."
The Republican candidate for U.S. Senatealso said that if Christians are not elected, politicians will "legislate sin," including abortion and gay marriage.
Harris made the comments -- which she clarified Saturday -- in the Florida Baptist Witness, the weekly journal of the Florida Baptist State Convention,which interviewed political candidates and asked them about religion and their positions on issues.
Separation of church and state is "a lie we have been told," Harris said in the interview, published Thursday, saying separating religion and politics is "wrong because Godis the one who chooses our rulers."
Electing non-Christians allows 'legislating sin'
"If you're not electing Christians, then in essence you are going to legislate sin," Harris said.
Her comments drew criticism, including some from fellow Republicans, who called them offensive and not representative of the party.
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Florida, who is Jewish, told the Orlando Sentinel that she was "disgusted" by the comments.
Harris' campaign released a statement Saturday saying she had been "speaking to a Christian audience, addressing a common misperception that people of faith should not be actively involved in government."
The comments reflected "her deep grounding in Judeo-Christian values," the statement said, adding that Harris had previously supported pro-Israel legislation and legislation recognizing the Holocaust.
Harris' opponents in the GOP primary also gave interviews to the Florida Baptist Witness but made more general statements on their faith.
Harris, 49, faced widespread criticism for her role overseeing the 2000 presidential recount as Florida's secretary of state.
State GOP leaders -- including Gov. Jeb Bush -- don't think she can win against Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson in November. Fundraising has lagged, frustrated campaign workers have defected in droves and the issues have been overshadowed by news of her dealings with a corrupt defense contractor who gave her $32,000 in illegal campaign contributions.
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
no subject
Date: 2006-09-01 11:43 pm (UTC)From:Ah, but you see, you're not killing them - you're SAVING them from their heathen ways. You're cleansing the world to prepare for the Rapture...
Mark Morford (SF Gate) had some interesting things to say (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2006/06/07/notes060706.DTL&hw=Left+Behind+video+game&sn=006&sc=668) about it a while back.
And did you see this article about the rise of Christian nationalism (http://writ.lp.findlaw.com/dean/20060825.html) that I linked to a week or so ago? It's the more analytical cousin to Sami's article.
no subject
Date: 2006-09-02 05:38 am (UTC)From:anyone wanna buy an island with me?
But Wait!
Date: 2006-09-01 07:31 pm (UTC)From:Do we get to play both sides of the conflict - Cause I know which side I'd pick. :)
And this just goes swimmingly with the FBI investigating the business dealings of Thomas Kinkade - "The Painter of Light"....
Re: But Wait!
Date: 2006-09-01 07:57 pm (UTC)From:Re: But Wait!
Date: 2006-09-01 09:28 pm (UTC)From:The FBI is investigating "Painter of Light" Thomas Kinkade and company executives over allegations that they fraudulently induced investors to open galleries, then ruined them financially.
Relying on information from former Kinkade dealers contacted by federal agents, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday that the FBI is focusing on issues raised in civil litigation by at least six former Thomas Kinkade Signature Gallery owners.
At least 10 former dealers in Michigan, Virginia and other states have alleged in arbitration claims that Kinkade — a California native beloved by some but reviled by the art establishment — exploited his Christianity to persuade people to invest in the galleries, which sell only Kinkade's work.
After they had invested tens of thousands of dollars each, the ex-owners said, the company's policies drove them out of business. They say they were saddled with limited-edition prints no one wanted to buy, forced to open stores in inappropriate venues, and undercut by discount galleries peddling the same items at lower prices they couldn't match.
Some also say Kinkade — who claims he's the most widely collected living U.S. artist — schemed to devalue his public company, Media Arts Group Inc., so he could buy it on the cheap. In 2004, Kinkade and other investors paid $32.7 million to take Media Arts Group private, changing its name to Thomas Kinkade Co.
"These dealers became investors primarily because they were believers in faith, love, family and God, and the paintings reflect those values," said Joseph Ejbeh, a Rochester Hills, Mich.-based attorney who tried an arbitration case that began in San Francisco in December 2004. "A lot of these people were pulled into this scheme because of this representation, but what Thomas Kinkade's company did to them was despicable."
Kinkade Co. spokesman Jim Bryant said the Morgan Hill, Calif.-based company was unaware of any investigation by the FBI.
"We assert that there are no legitimate grounds for a federal investigation of any kind," Bryant said in a statement e-mailed to The Associated Press.
Bryant called recent news reports erroneous.
"We are disappointed that rumors and hearsay have been reported in the media in a manner that allows readers to assume legitimacy. The reporting also contains factual inaccuracies," Bryant wrote.
According to the newspaper, the FBI has asked dealers for documentation on retail sales policies, training materials from "Thomas Kinkade University" and correspondence, including e-mail.
FBI Special Agent Brian Wickham in San Jose declined to comment to the Times, citing the bureau's policy of neither confirming nor denying the existence of investigations in progress. He did not return a phone call Tuesday from AP.
Critics — including highbrow art aficionados, satirical bloggers and starving artists annoyed by Kinkade's marketing success — snicker at his work. His paintings typically include tranquil scenes of country gardens, churches, streams and lighthouses in dewy morning light. Many contain images from Bible passages.
Roughly 10 million Americans have a Kinkade painting at home. The wall hangings and spin-off products are said to fetch $100 million a year.
Earlier this year, Kinkade signed a deal with developers in a northern Idaho resort town to help design five lake-view houses that look like those in paintings such as "Beyond Autumn Gate." The houses start at $4 million.
___
Article from the SfGate.com website...
Re: But Wait!
Date: 2006-09-01 09:32 pm (UTC)From:Re: But Wait!
Date: 2006-09-01 10:11 pm (UTC)From:His paintings are completely manufactured and do not reflect any true artistic talent. Plus he's supposedly this very devout Christian, yet his God is obviously $$$$. I hate it when people get all hypocritical.
I don't think he would do anything kind or charitable with the cash he has made...I may be wrong, but I severly doubt it.
no subject
Date: 2006-09-01 08:45 pm (UTC)From:Yeah.. No!
Date: 2006-09-01 09:05 pm (UTC)From: