Bible-Teaching Computer Games

Boring and Preachy?

To most people, the idea of a Christian computer game is a joke. Either they conjure up ideas of what Ned Flanders would give his children: boring and preachy and more like a Sunday School lesson than entertainment; or else they seem only too eager to avoid anything that feels "religiousy", and instead focus on non-violent gameplay, family values and "Christian gameplay mechanics" - games so sanitized you'd hardly recognise them as Christian. People have tried to make Christian games of all sorts of well known genres: FPS, RPGs, platformers, RTS games, action adventures and quiz shows. Few have found widespread popularity, especially not amongst mainstream gamers.

Another Way

It's my firm belief that a much-neglected genre of computer game offers a middle way between these two extremes: a way to make a game based on solid evangelical convictions about the authority of the Bible and the uniqueness of Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, whilst at the same time making games that are genuinely fun and accessible to non-Christian gamers. To that end, I'm working on a Point & Click adventure game (sometimes known as "Graphic Adventures") in the style of Lucasarts classics like Monkey Island and Day of the Tentacle. These intensely story-driven games favour exploration and puzzle-solving over quick reflexes, and have several features that make them particularly suitable for making Christian computer games:

• the emphasis on narrative is ideal for teaching Bible stories - both the events themselves and, crucially, their significance
• the rich characterisation lets you take the players on a journey
• solving the puzzles often involves thinking through the applications of what you're learning
• unlike many 'offline' games, they are great fun to play together with another person, perhaps a parent or sibling

Progress So Far

I have spent the last three years or so programming a reusable game engine designed specifically for making Point & Click adventure games, called Hayah. The video above was made using this engine, although it is not representative of the quality of the actual game. Now that the basic building blocks are in place, much more sophisticated animations and so on can be created straightforwardly.

Progress is also well under way on a specific game, based around the events of 1 Samuel 8-12 where Saul becomes king. I am currently seeking investment to hire artists and other key talent necessary to make the game. If you would be interested in getting involved, please contact me.

For more information about the thinking behind these games, please see the series of articles I have been writing about Christian Games that attempts to explain why I believe Bible-teaching Computer Games are a good thing.

How can I help?

There are several keys areas in which you may be able to help me:

• Prayer supporters! - the whole project is a waste of time unless God is at work, so any prayers are very much appreciated. Encouragement and general support of any kind are gratefully received!
• Investors - one man alone cannot possibly hope to make a game of this magnitude, and putting a team together means having financial resources
• 3D modellers/animators - ideally with experience in using Blender
• Voice actors - experience shows that point and click games stand or fall by the quality of their voice acting.

If you are interested in getting involved then please do send me an email.