Poll: Religion in Games

[TiefBlau]

It's 'kay. It's a natural thing to do, but it almost always ends up being a thinly-veiled metaphor for religious prejudice or some other crap. It's almost never natural-feeling.

 

[darkkan2125]

For the Emperor!!

and only for the Emperor

 

[Irony's Acolyte]

So long as they handle religion correctly, I'm fine with it being in games. People have religious beliefs so there's no reason to ignore religion in general. And so long as they don't make it into "You(the player, in game is different) don't believe this religion, you are a horrible person" or "You(once again player) believe this religion (or any), you are a stupid person" I figure putting in religion can add to the game. Even if in game a religion is shown to be correct or incorrect, so long as it adds to the story or gameplay I find it cool.

 

[thom_cat_]

Atheist here, (why do I need to point this out?)
it depends, but I voted "don't care".
If it's key to the story line or is a background element I don't really care, and I definitely don't care if it's fanciful or portrayed negatively.

Anything that's used to advocate or convert I hate. Other than that I'm fine.

 

[Fr]anc[is]

In most settings its appropriate and I like it. Especially in DnD, where the gods are one dimensional. Pelor is healing and sunlight. That's pretty much it, cool guy. But even where I don't like the in game religion itself, it would usually be less without it. Seriously Chantry, go fuck yourself. I'm an elf AND a mage. Go rot and die.

 

[sora91111]

I think with this subject it's really all about signifigance. You don't have to see the religous idols existance to make religion a factor. There could be a religous war or something to that extreme, but religion could make things interesting.

 

[GrizzlerBorno]

Has anyone else ever read the whole way through all the history notes in Dragon Age? I've gone through a good amount of them and thought that Bioware had made a stunning and vivid Allegory with the history of the Chantry. Yes, it's obviously a pun on the church, but the details were good, like how it was central to bringing the elves to the point of extinction as a culturally-powered race, How one woman could galvanise an entire continent to rise against a dogmatic belief structure, only to be (ironically) turned into the same.etc.

So, yeah, if done well, religion can be used to deliver VERY impacting messages through games. Just don't include religion in shitty FPS games though. Look what happened to Medal of Honor, and that was only kinda related to religion.

I like it especially when gods are used as a plot device (Mask of the Betrayer, Dante's Inferno, JRPGs)

This is hammily done most of the time though isn't it? Having a God "boss" isn't the same thing as using the ideologies of a religion and belief system, to tell a story or set a premise. and personally the latter offers more artistic freedom then, "Ohmawgad! (irony) It's a giant demon boss! Fill it with Holy Fire or wahtever! But to be fair, i've never played Mask of the betrayer so, for all i know it could've something totally different. Dante's Inferno and God of War, however, were not.

 

[nin_ninja]

Meh I don't really care overall in "realistic" games.

In a fictional universe (like Dragon Age) I like it when they talk about relgion though, it gives the universe a sense of realness and authenticity and adds to the lore.
And in Dragon Age it's possible to play your character as an atheist, but it's actually difficult to determine whether there is a maker or not, especially considering the Urn questline.

Yeah, you can go about being an atheist, but during the Urn Quest its kinda hard to defend your position. Of course magic and spirits exist so really anything is possible there.

 

[michiehoward]

if we as a community want video games to be considered free speech. religion needs the same respect. so i welcome it with open arms.

qft

I will relate a small memory that popped into my head when I saw this thread.
FF10, when I first played it, and the main enemy is "Sin" and the main religion teaches "repentance and atonement" is the only way Spira can be rid of Sin forever, struck me, made me wonder how Shintoists really view Christianity.

 

[nin_ninja]

-double post-

 

[nin_ninja]

Thanks. And yes I agree mostly, you can say something for both sides.

One last question, did you destroy the 'heretics' or rewire them?

To tell the truth. I rewrote them. I didn't like either option. But I view the big picture. Which would be better. To destroy the geth that had a "error" code within them that made them follow the reapers as gods. Or rewrite them to not belief in the reapers as gods and not be a tool. Plus, this might help me later in the game against the Reapers.

I did the same. I saw them mostly as tools though, but that might be because I just prefer playing Renegade. >.>

Actually, that choice was Paragon.

Really? Wow, guess I messed that up. Oh well by that time I usually have a full Renegade bar anyway. xD

I went the other route, I was fully paragon at the end with a bit of renegade somehow. I still don't know how I got those points, but whatever.[/quote]

Did you push the merc out the window? Its okay, everyone did it, you don't have to feel guilty.

Now I'm atheist, but I don't care if religion is used in games, especially fantasy and JRPGs because their world is an alternate world from our own where gods can exist. I do like when the option to say my character is an atheist in game (Mass Effect, Neverwinter Nights, Ezio says he is in AC 2:B's book) but its not important to me if that option is available. I like it especially when gods are used as a plot device (Mask of the Betrayer, Dante's Inferno, JRPGs), or even if they are given less direct roles like the Maker in DA:O or the Director (it's kinda a god) in L4D. I don't care either way, but allowing some form of god does open up options in the story.

How do you feel about religion and gods in games?

OP your probably the nicest atheist I've ever met when it comes to religion.

Its kinda hard to be a mean atheist when most of my friends are religious, and devout Arabs for that matter. I wouldn't really be friends if I hated their beliefs, but that being said we never talk about religion.

 

[Gigano]

I certainly liked the way it was dealt with in God of War.

Generally quite indifferent. If it's a natural part of the game world, fine by me.

Wouldn't really be a fan of preachy games [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_Behind:_Eternal_Forces] though, but that goes for all kinds of media, and I've got no objection to them existing.

 

[standokan]

As long as it's used in JUST the right way, and I prefer not actual religions but more like a Thor the god of dwarves (post800).

 

[MassiveGeek]

Actually my "favorite" religion ever is from the Silent Hill series.

I just love the whole concept of the Orders god, first off that she was born from humans I find very interesting, it isn't something I've ever seen in any other religion and also that she is a single God that is female is not something I've seen before either.

But I don't really give a damn, religion is interesting and fanatics in video games are always fun(Vincent and Claudia <3). I'm personally... well, I guess atheist, would love to be a skepticist but I don't think I have a critical enough mind, and I'm only bugged by religion when religious people are doing harm or misrepresent science in some stupid ass way. On it's own entirely, religion is just fascinating and a good source of major lulz.

 

[Trolldor]

Thanks. And yes I agree mostly, you can say something for both sides.

One last question, did you destroy the 'heretics' or rewire them?

To tell the truth. I rewrote them. I didn't like either option. But I view the big picture. Which would be better. To destroy the geth that had a "error" code within them that made them follow the reapers as gods. Or rewrite them to not belief in the reapers as gods and not be a tool. Plus, this might help me later in the game against the Reapers.

I did the same. I saw them mostly as tools though, but that might be because I just prefer playing Renegade. >.>

Actually, that choice was Paragon.

Really? Wow, guess I messed that up. Oh well by that time I usually have a full Renegade bar anyway. xD

I went the other route, I was fully paragon at the end with a bit of renegade somehow. I still don't know how I got those points, but whatever.

Did you push the merc out the window? Its okay, everyone did it, you don't have to feel guilty.

Now I'm atheist, but I don't care if religion is used in games, especially fantasy and JRPGs because their world is an alternate world from our own where gods can exist. I do like when the option to say my character is an atheist in game (Mass Effect, Neverwinter Nights, Ezio says he is in AC 2:B's book) but its not important to me if that option is available. I like it especially when gods are used as a plot device (Mask of the Betrayer, Dante's Inferno, JRPGs), or even if they are given less direct roles like the Maker in DA:O or the Director (it's kinda a god) in L4D. I don't care either way, but allowing some form of god does open up options in the story.

How do you feel about religion and gods in games?

OP your probably the nicest atheist I've ever met when it comes to religion.

Its kinda hard to be a mean atheist when most of my friends are religious, and devout Arabs for that matter. I wouldn't really be friends if I hated their beliefs, but that being said we never talk about religion.[/quote]

Evidentially not if you describe them as 'devout Arabs', considering 'Arab' is not a religion.
I have no trouble with religion in games, provided it's not preachy, because I'm playing a game in an imaginary world. I expect a lot of imaginary things.

 

[Trolldor]

And... err, I'm maing this a seperate post for a reason...

That first line about pushing the merc out the window?

Not my line. I didn't post or type that. What the fuck is going on?

Edit: Ah, I see, post I quoted had fail quoting. It's all okay, I understand now...

 

[Outcast107]

Did you push the merc out the window? Its okay, everyone did it, you don't have to feel guilty.

Nope, I didn't push him off. I just told him to get the hell out of here before I blasted him. Which worked and he ran as fast as he could. Btw, did you or anyone let that one Volus who was all drugged up attack that one asari gang leader.

 

[Trildor]

I don't mind real world religions in games when they're treated with respect.

Mythology, on the other hand, is absolutely necessary in fantasy games. It has the potential to add a level of depth that is always welcome.

 

[nin_ninja]

Thanks. And yes I agree mostly, you can say something for both sides.

One last question, did you destroy the 'heretics' or rewire them?

To tell the truth. I rewrote them. I didn't like either option. But I view the big picture. Which would be better. To destroy the geth that had a "error" code within them that made them follow the reapers as gods. Or rewrite them to not belief in the reapers as gods and not be a tool. Plus, this might help me later in the game against the Reapers.

I did the same. I saw them mostly as tools though, but that might be because I just prefer playing Renegade. >.>

Actually, that choice was Paragon.

Really? Wow, guess I messed that up. Oh well by that time I usually have a full Renegade bar anyway. xD

I went the other route, I was fully paragon at the end with a bit of renegade somehow. I still don't know how I got those points, but whatever.

Did you push the merc out the window? Its okay, everyone did it, you don't have to feel guilty.

Now I'm atheist, but I don't care if religion is used in games, especially fantasy and JRPGs because their world is an alternate world from our own where gods can exist. I do like when the option to say my character is an atheist in game (Mass Effect, Neverwinter Nights, Ezio says he is in AC 2:B's book) but its not important to me if that option is available. I like it especially when gods are used as a plot device (Mask of the Betrayer, Dante's Inferno, JRPGs), or even if they are given less direct roles like the Maker in DA:O or the Director (it's kinda a god) in L4D. I don't care either way, but allowing some form of god does open up options in the story.

How do you feel about religion and gods in games?

OP your probably the nicest atheist I've ever met when it comes to religion.

Its kinda hard to be a mean atheist when most of my friends are religious, and devout Arabs for that matter. I wouldn't really be friends if I hated their beliefs, but that being said we never talk about religion.

Evidentially not if you describe them as 'devout Arabs', considering 'Arab' is not a religion.
I have no trouble with religion in games, provided it's not preachy, because I'm playing a game in an imaginary world. I expect a lot of imaginary things.[/quote]

I say devout Arabs because they ARE all Arabs, and they ARE all devout to their religions (Muslim and Christianity).

 

[Cheesepower5]

As an atheist I find the subject of religion, old or new, to be fascinating. It's a great thing to base a setting around.