"Left Behind" - Plight of a Christian Video Game
Popular books spawn video games. Heck, popular *anything* seems to spawn a video game version. So, the wildly popular "Left Behind" apocalyptic fiction series was due to have a gaming adaptation.
"Left Behind: Eternal Forces" is a real-time strategy game that loosely follows the plot of the bestselling Christian novels, allowing you to control the "Tribulation Force" in their efforts to resist the AntiChrist. It is set in New York City with the objective of converting nonbelievers and defeating the evil forces from taking over the world. Presumably, if you are succesful, you will be rewarded with the Second Coming of Jesus.
Left Behind Games president Jeffrey Frichner is serious about embedding a Christain message in the game. He stated "We're not ashamed of it. There are Scriptures in the game and we're faithful to those Scriptures."
I was ready to start making jokes about "praising the Lord and passing the ammunition," but the folks at Left Behind Games are quite upset with people making fun of their message. They have posted a response to the journalists who have posted such ideas. These ideas are fueled by the games own website, where it states "Control more than 30 units types - from Prayer Warrior and Hellraiser to Spies, Special Forces and Battle Tanks!", but, hey, I'll obey their requests, since I have not played the game.
To be sure, there will not be any overt bloodshed. But, the target audience is the same set of people that protest "Harry Potter." Our old friend, Florida attorney Jack Thompson said, "They're basically using the phrase - Christian game - to disarm parents into thinking it's going to be OK for our kids."
Unfortunately, regardless of the quality of the game, it seems this game is heading for failure. The target audience (rapture believing Christians) will be turned off by reports of excessive violence. The mainstream will be turned off by the assumption of excessive preachiness within the storyline. Although neither of these claims may be true, I suspect the hint of these ideas will eliminate most of the potential buyers. Such is the world that we live in.
Let's be clear here. I did not publish any misinformation here - just an opinion on how the game was going to be received the mainstream and the target audience. I even have their 'controversy.htm' link in my original post
So, in retrospect, it looks like I was right. The company is seeking out every post ever written to combat incorrect perceptions about the game. To quote myself "Such is the world we live in".
-- Posted by: Fred at January 26, 2007 3:34 PM
This statement is posted from an employee of Left Behind Games on behalf of Troy Lyndon, our Chief Executive Officer.
There has been in incredible amount of MISINFORMATION published in the media and in online blogs here and elsewhere.
Pacifist Christians and other groups are taking the game material out of context to support their own causes. There is NO “killing in the name of God†and NO “convert or dieâ€. There are NO “negative portrayals of Muslims†and there are NO “points for killingâ€.
Please play the game demo for yourself (to at least level 5 of 40) to get an accurate perspective, or listen to what CREDIBLE unbiased experts are saying after reviewing the game at www.leftbehindgames.com/pages/controversy.htm
Then, we’d love to hear your feedback as an informed player.
The reality is that we’re receiving reports everyday of how this game is positively affecting lives by all who play it.
Thank you for taking the time to be a responsible blogger.
-- Posted by: SJR at January 25, 2007 10:46 PM