Christian Gamers

[jweyman]

What, if any, guidelines should gamers have for what they play? Beyond that, what kinds of characters they should play? (in RPGs, good/evil alignments etc) What about morals in online RPGs? Should a Christian spend his or her time in these fantasy worlds? Language - foul language is rampant in some online games. Why do you think that is and what can be done about it?

Content-wise, how much his too much when it comes to acceptable game content? When, if ever, does great gameplay justify putting up with trashy content? (see: Grand Theft Auto, etc)

I have thoughts on all of this, but I thought I'd open it up to discussion first. Whether you're a gamer or not, feel free to share your opinion. One more thing... if you play PC games - let me know. Maybe we can meet up and play sometime.

[melinky]

jweyman said:

What, if any, guidelines should gamers have for what they play? Beyond that, what kinds of characters they should play? (in RPGs, good/evil alignments etc) What about morals in online RPGs? Should a Christian spend his or her time in these fantasy worlds? Language - foul language is rampant in some online games. Why do you think that is and what can be done about it?

Content-wise, how much his too much when it comes to acceptable game content? When, if ever, does great gameplay justify putting up with trashy content? (see: Grand Theft Auto, etc)

I have thoughts on all of this, but I thought I'd open it up to discussion first. Whether you're a gamer or not, feel free to share your opinion. One more thing... if you play PC games - let me know. Maybe we can meet up and play sometime.

Personally, I don't have time for blood and guts games, nor do I want to play the more realistic games that involve killing people/characters. While I know it's just a game, I just don't see the fun in it. Although as I say this, I have to admit that I have enjoyed many hours of playing "Age of Empires" which does have some blood, it just isn't very real looking.

My favorite games are the Myst games though. I love the graphics and the problem-solving.

As for foul language and trashy content, I have to ask myself, "What would Jesus think and do?"

I don't think he would like the filth much, but I also think he would use those opportunities to reach people, to hook them and then reel them in. I know that due to the nature of game rooms, there really aren't many, if any, opportunities for vocal evangelizing, however, it is always possible to testify through your actions.

Melinda

[Juan]

I have to say, I think there is no more relevant place today than an online world.

It's fun to play games. There is no evil in role playing. Even in role playing an evil role. It increases understanding of life and that can only be good.

To comment on the idea that you are surrounded by ill language/content. I must say that if you wish to do ministry in a world environment (online) you have to be able to deal with it with grace. Just like Christ. In the world not of it.

I've always wondered it it were possible to set up a mock church as a guild in a mmorpg. It didn't proclaim the gospel, but it proclaimed a similar message. There could be a weekly sermon on the guild chat. It wouldn't be direct evangelism (though it would open the door for it) but could create a similar enough theology, that when people in the guild saw the real thing. They would know it as the same thing. Any thought on that?

Even if no evangelism was done. It would be edifying for people within the guild. And it would allow a moderated forumn with avatars to do what we are doing here. Then you could take a break from the guild discussions, and go have a jolly romp through the countryside on your lvl 40, 20 gold mechanical camel.

[Soulfyre]

O my word. A TRULY virtual church, or is it a VIRTUAL, virtual church (sort of like "verily, verily...")?

Matthew (soulfyre)

[jedi180]

Games with rampant sexual themes etc. are not appropriate for Christians to play. Although I must confess I have played GTA

I don't think there is anything wrong with role-playing, unless it overcomes your life.

And I don't believe that violence is inherently bad on-screen. However, murdering innocent people in a computer game might affect you in real life. I'm much more secure playing war games where you fight Hitler than playing games where you run over innocent people in a sports car.

[rgrove]

jedi180 said:

And I don't believe that violence is inherently bad on-screen.

Perhaps, perhaps not. I'll only relate my experience with television. I quit watching television a few years ago like I had been previously in my life. I think it made a big difference in my thought life during the day. I never noticed anything until I did a brain-drain sitting in front of the sci-fi channel watching awful movies (I admit it, I enjoy terrible sci-fi ). The next couple days I noticed that I thought quite a bit about that and dreamt differently. I believe it makes a difference, but it probably varies with different people. Don't know if Civilization counts for role playing, but I do begin to get a little rough with the other civilizations and my wife and I will brag about who bashed more than the other. ;D

[jedi180]

rgrove said:

Perhaps, perhaps not. I'll only relate my experience with television. I quit watching television a few years ago like I had been previously in my life. I think it made a big difference in my thought life during the day. I never noticed anything until I did a brain-drain sitting in front of the sci-fi channel watching awful movies (I admit it, I enjoy terrible sci-fi ). The next couple days I noticed that I thought quite a bit about that and dreamt differently. I believe it makes a difference, but it probably varies with different people. Don't know if Civilization counts for role playing, but I do begin to get a little rough with the other civilizations and my wife and I will brag about who bashed more than the other. ;D

Good thoughts. I might add, however, that TV is a completely passive experience, while gaming is a wholly interactive one. Thus, gaming shouldn't be as brain-draining as TV. Thoughts?

[melinky]

jedi180 said:

Good thoughts. I might add, however, that TV is a completely passive experience, while gaming is a wholly interactive one. Thus, gaming shouldn't be as brain-draining as TV. Thoughts?

I would think that the interactive nature of gaming would make us more susceptible to gaming than to tv. For example, when I see a movie at the theater on the big screen, I become more involved with the movie because it's literally filling my senses. I can watch the same movie on television and find myself far less affected than when I saw it at the theatre. I would think the same would be true with gaming where the player is immmersed in a fictitious world and partaking of all it has to offer, including violence. I would also think that in some ways, violent games can be an outlet for aggression that a person is unable to get out in the real world; though I'm not sure if that's good or bad.

About the only games I play are the Myst games and that when I'm in the middle of one, it can consume my spare time as well as my idle mind.

Melinda

[Kenny]

melinky said:

Personally, I don't have time for blood and guts games, nor do I want to play the more realistic games that involve killing people/characters. While I know it's just a game, I just don't see the fun in it. Although as I say this, I have to admit that I have enjoyed many hours of playing "Age of Empires" which does have some blood, it just isn't very real looking.

My favorite games are the Myst games though. I love the graphics and the problem-solving.

As for foul language and trashy content, I have to ask myself, "What would Jesus think and do?"

I don't think he would like the filth much, but I also think he would use those opportunities to reach people, to hook them and then reel them in. I know that due to the nature of game rooms, there really aren't many, if any, opportunities for vocal evangelizing, however, it is always possible to testify through your actions.

Melinda

Age of Empires! Great game...sometimes the AI is a bit dumb...or a bit hard. Can't seem to find a medium...lol I lost my cd and I can't find it! I want to play it.

Another game is Civilization III, it's turn based and totally different from Age of Empires in the playing part of it, but strategey is great...

I was looking into another game...I fogot what it was called...however, it got great ratings off of tech tv's X-Play.

[Mysterion]

Intersting topic, especially concerning the mmorpg church. I play City of Heroes from time to time. The admins actually filter religious words as they would profanity. Interesting huh?

[melinky]

Mysterion said:

Intersting topic, especially concerning the mmorpg church. I play City of Heroes from time to time. The admins actually filter religious words as they would profanity. Interesting huh?

On one hand I can see their point, if you look at the profane way some religious words are used. Nothing irritates me more than seeing or hearing our Lord's name used in vain. So I guess I'm okay with them filtering God, Jesus and Christ.

Melinda