Question of the Day, August 17, 2010

[Jaebird]

I don't think videogames are the right tool for promoting God. Think about how many times someone has yelled out, "God damnit!"

From what I've seen, religious people will use anything to force their beliefs upon others.

Agreed.

I say any Religion, not just those who believe in God but any, including Athiesm. I go to games for stress relief and relaxing so I don't have to worry about religion/beliefs and such.

I feel as though I should respond to this, but I own Dante's Inferno; both the game and the book >_>

(I'm not really an overly religious person, I just find the depictions of Hell to be imaginative. More so in the game, because of the awesome art direction.)

 

[Mrsoupcup]

I don't think videogames are the right tool for promoting God. Think about how many times someone has yelled out, "God damnit!"

From what I've seen, religious people will use anything to force their beliefs upon others.

Agreed.

I say any Religion, not just those who believe in God but any, including Athiesm. I go to games for stress relief and relaxing so I don't have to worry about religion/beliefs and such.

I feel as though I should respond to this, but I own Dante's Inferno; both the game and the book >_>

(I'm not really an overly religious person, I just find the depictions of Hell to be imaginative. More so in the game, because of the awesome art direction.)

Dante's Inferno was more of a story with a Religious setting, kinda like Assassins Creed. Plus, Dante was no priest, nor was his book considered the truth or any sort of extension of the Bible. He was just a very sick strange man. (Interesting book though)

 

[Jaebird]

I don't think videogames are the right tool for promoting God. Think about how many times someone has yelled out, "God damnit!"

From what I've seen, religious people will use anything to force their beliefs upon others.

Agreed.

I say any Religion, not just those who believe in God but any, including Athiesm. I go to games for stress relief and relaxing so I don't have to worry about religion/beliefs and such.

I feel as though I should respond to this, but I own Dante's Inferno; both the game and the book >_>

(I'm not really an overly religious person, I just find the depictions of Hell to be imaginative. More so in the game, because of the awesome art direction.)

Dante's Inferno was more of a story with a Religious setting, kinda like Assassins Creed. Plus, Dante was no priest, nor was his book considered the truth or any sort of extension of the Bible. He was just a very sick strange man. (Interesting book though)

Let's not forget that his book was his personal soap-box for his political views.

I'm currently reading through the 8th circle, and it's very challenging for me, who doesn't have an Italian History degree. Even with the references in the back of the book, I still find it hard to make out. That's the one thing I liked about the game: simple, stupid and straight-forward with a "rescue the princess" plot.

 

[Mrsoupcup]

I'm currently reading through the 8th circle, and it's very challenging for me, who doesn't have an Italian History degree. Even with the references in the back of the book, I still find it hard to make out. That's the one thing I liked about the game: simple, stupid and straight-forward with a "rescue the princess" plot.

It would have been better if he was trying to save his daughter. (If he had one) Think about it, it would actually work, and... *GASP* It may even have some emotional value. Then again what does EA know about emotions? XD

 

[Jaebird]

I'm currently reading through the 8th circle, and it's very challenging for me, who doesn't have an Italian History degree. Even with the references in the back of the book, I still find it hard to make out. That's the one thing I liked about the game: simple, stupid and straight-forward with a "rescue the princess" plot.

It would have been better if he was trying to save his daughter. (If he had one) Think about it, it would actually work, and... *GASP* It may even have some emotional value. Then again what does EA know about emotions? XD

About as much as Activision?

[badum-tish!]

It's funny you should mention the daughter aspect, because I have this loose adaptation of Dante's Inferno in my head that's set in the present, and is more like a noir/drama than just "guy goes into Hell." And all the images and depictions of Hell are just allegories to what goes on around the main character, who is searching for his daughter.

 

[Adventurer2626]

A very conditional "Yes." So long as you don't browbeat consumers with your game. I don't pay my $60 a new game to have it tell me I'm going to Hell. If I want that I can go down to my local church and tell them I'm not a Christian. Or to see the game bash another religion. Same goes with trailers, ads, and promotions for the game. Now, if you want the game to tell a story from your holy text that's perfectly fine. If it's not explicitly about X religion but some characters are of that religion and are protagonists that's cool too.

 

[porschecm2]

Should? Or should be allowed to? Because yes to one, and no to the other.

I think people should be allowed to use any medium they wish to express/promote their religion.

However, some things just shouldn't be done. Like putting ketchup on macaroni and cheese. I think you should have the freedom to do it, but WHY? Using DDR in church sermons is one of those things.

 

[Riobux]

Religion should stop be a competition of who can convert the most. I honestly sometimes wonder if priests get a golden pen if they can convert over a hundred people and a watch if they convert over one thousand.

 

[Nouw]

Only the Religion of THE EMPEROR!

 

[Patton662]

They should keep their poison separate from our games.

 

[MetalMonkey74]

Religion is a private matter. Its what you believe in, and it shouldnt be about hollywood-like advertising and shoving your version down people's throats.

Please Please Please keep it that way. Most wars were started because certain people's beliefs were thought to be better than other people's beliefs, and we all know how that ends.

 

[ItsAPaul]

Who cares? Honestly, why do you care about stuff you're not going to buy? I'm atheist and I could care less what video games people use/make. I don't have to pay attention or anything.

 

[iLikeHippos]

I like how there are only two ultimatum poll answers... [Insert sarcmark, rolls eyes]

Religion or not, a game is still a game. It's quite irrelevant until the point when the entire game is based on religion, even worse when it's specified at one.

You'll lose a lot of customers than, since the obvious majority of gamers aren't as interested in religion as you'd think.

 

[JoshGod]

they can, but i don't want them to. i like my games not forcing others views on me. there is too much of it outside of gaming as it is. i mean for god sakes do people go around trying to convert people to atheism. besides if this happened who would buy that game? beside already religous people.

 

[Paksenarrion]

State mated with Religion gave us Fox News.
Science mated with Religion gave us Scientology.
Video Games mated with Relgion gave us Dante's Inferno.

Conclusion: Clearly religion/Fox News/Scientology is a publicity stunt for Dante's Inferno.

 

[mad825]

wow, Escapist Staff, you have taken gaming controversy to a whole new level.

there should be no promotion of any kind, not only will this also promote religious/non-religious extremism but will also promote anti-gamers as it will be used as proof that games have mental effects over people even so I wouldn't be too surprised if physiologists use that as a bases to do a study off.

people may think that this goes against "free speech" but then again people are too stupid to realise that "free speech" is overrated.

 

[ProfessorLayton]

Well this is different. He's using the gimmick of playing Dance Dance Revolution to get people to listen to what he has do say when he could have, say, offered free popsicles at his church to get people inside. I think that if he wants to have people listen to what he has to say he can do it in (pretty much) any way he wants. That's why there are some preachers who shout, "YOU'RE GONNA GO TA HELL IF YOU DON'T REPENT! THE FIRES OF HELL WILL BURN YOUR ETERNAL SOUL!!!" and then you have the other guys who say "Don't worry, you're all very good people and you're living your lives just fine and you can live them even better if you just give me lots of money." because different people are attracted to different types of church styles. If he's trying to get the attention of kids who otherwise wouldn't listen, so be it.

Now, the question is misleading. If someone wants to use games to attract people to your church, go ahead. There are Counter-Strike servers that have Bible studies. But games themselves shouldn't try to preach religion... it's like product placement in games.