This might strike some people wrong, but like the recent article I wrote that literally exploded all over the web. I, Ernice Gilbert, will explore once more whether there’s any progress being made in the gaming industry as it relates to Christian gamers.
Just to refresh your memory, the first article was entitled: I Am a Christian; This Industry Doesn’t Give A Crap About Me. That article made headlines all over the internet, from Game Trailers, to Reddit, N4G, and countless other forums, as gamers seized on the opportunity to talk about games, Christianity and vulgarity, predominantly indecent language.
This one is the second of what will eventually become a series of pieces examining the issue.
A few months after the first article was released, where many gamers shared the same sentiment with me: which was asking developers to create an option in their games that would give the gamer a choice on whether he wanted cuss words in his experience or not, and countless more disagreed. It was great debate, debate that will most assuredly see more discussions.
But this article could be categorized more as a “rumor”, as most of my theories are based around hints that legendary game creator/director, Hideo Kojima, has been giving about a “secret game” he’s developing, and how it’ll be considered “taboo”, one that might make him “leave the gaming industry”.
There are many things that can be considered taboo in this world, but none, and I stress none, is considered more so than religion. And while there, no other religion has seen more persecution, and growing negative sentiment like born again Christians. In fact the world, and the entertainment it creates, is seeking to eliminate all values deriving from Christianity; but that topic is for another day.
I’ve been longing for a good, epic, Christian game for a long, long time. I think it would sell spectacularly and impress many doubters. Just as The Passion of The Christ did in theaters. Hideo Kojima is known for bringing fourth excellent storytelling in all his games, most of them better than what even Hollywood offers.
In my opinion, there are so many stories one could use from the bible to make a great game, or, just come up with a great story and base it around biblical principles. Could it be that Kojima’s “taboo” project will be something like the aforementioned? Man I wish it was, and it could be; he’s known for going off the norm and doing what he please, all while stunning the crowd.
And the argument that some would bring, claiming that a Christian game would not be fun, only has to look at the old testament in the bible. Stories about the life of David. The man, in many ways, was fierce like Kratos, yet he had a heart of tenderness.
But let’s take it a step further, the bible talks about Christians not fighting against flesh and blood (man), when he/she faces adversity, but rather principalities, and spiritual wickedness in high places (demons) (insert scripture here). Basically what this means is, the problems that a person face on earth are usually caused by wars taking place for that person’s soul in the spiritual realm. Do you know that there’s a spiritual side to everything? Well now you know.
So, developers could definitely venture in that route, and create a game that demonstrates the wars taking place for one’s soul in heavenly places, and tie that to a person on earth. That would be one great game! Most of the battles take place in the spiritual, and on earth, the day in day out struggles on that person is on display. Got it?
Could it be that Kojimasan is venturing in the aforementioned route? Here’s the legend in his own words:
“I’m thinking about the casting for my next title, he said through twitter via Andriasang, “the project plan still is not detailed but everything is advancing simultaneously in my head.
Title, game design, story, character, setting research, the mech that appears, casting, graphics director, sound, beginning and ending, the major story sequence.”
He continued: “It comes together naturally in my head. The next project will challenge a certain type of taboo, if I mess up I’ll probably have to leave the industry, however I don’t want to pass by avoiding that.
I turn 47 this year, it’s been 24 years since I’ve been developing games, today, I got an ally who would happily support me in that risk, for a start, it is good.”
I’m sensing Kojima’s next game will be big, doesn’t matter what it is. Also, don’t expect it to be none of what you’ve experienced before. As for me, I’m hoping he cares about me, and the millions of other Christian gamers in the world, who’d love to see a game developer take the bible and bring it to life, whether directly or indirectly, no matter how “taboo” it may be.
So Kojima, is your new game based around the Word of God? Or am I just a gaming journalist, who happens to be Christian and is having a wild dream that will never come to pass?
Send me mail here. Thanks for your response in advance.
especially here they dont have a good reputation in the gaming community.
its thanks to Christians that we dont have a R rating system which is utter ridiculous BS!
them and the media they have to blow everything out of proportion, just because theres kids out there we have to shut ourselves in doors its not enough locking them up.
like the MW2 debacle, i remember reading the news paper and the front page headline was “video game teaches kids how to be a terrorist.”
i had to absolutely piss myself laughing as soon as i saw that.
i guess im a little bias on the subject because a family friend of ours are like that, so religious its pathetic!
the parents wont let their 15 year old son watch anything M rated.
poor kid is still stuck watching bloody kids shows, his parents wont even let him watch the simpsons for gods sake!
i was watching south park with him the other day and the mother almost ripped my head off!!!!!!!!!!
lol, don’t let her. Again, there’s a difference between reiligious people and true born again believers. I’m a Christian, you don’t hear me crying over the industry like a spoil child. I believe greatly in creativity, and allowing devs to do what they do. I do believe in options though.
Especially with the cuss words in games, if you want to hear it then fine. But if that’s not your thing, why not create an option that would essentially eliminate for those who don’t want to hear it. Guerrilla is doing it with Killzone 3, well they’re eliminating cussing altogether.
That option would only broaden the publishers base….. More people will play.
yeah i guess why not add in a option.
but i really dont see the big deal, i mean the games are rated for adults and you are at war.
im sure if you went to war you would certainly hear a few flyers out there.
true true, and you’re right. But an option wouldn’t hurt. Don’t take away nothing, just an option. But it’s true, in war, anything goes!