Strap yourselves in, because here we go again - a new Christian game is in the works.

[Godly Paladin]

http://www.boanergesstudios.com/Agdn.php

[Zilch]

Hoo boy...*goes to check out*

Hey, one of these guys worked on Quake 4! And one of them was on the team that made the Reality Engine!

I can't believe this...

...I'm actually excited for a Christian game. Sorry, it's just that Catcheumen put me off my kilter for Christian games.

[rii namuras]

(Ooooh, nice. Another FPS I will more-than-likely be able to play. What system is it for? I got the impression for the PC.)

[Felix]

That looks really neat. Does it actually say anywhere that it's a Christian game, though? Because I didn't see anything that said it is. o.o

[mastersquirrel]

That looks really neat. Does it actually say anywhere that it's a Christian game, though? Because I didn't see anything that said it is. o.o

The only indication that I can see that this is a Christian game studio is their name. If you look up Boanerges, it means "Sons of Thunder" which is the surname Jesus gave to James and John.

Other than that I didn't see anything that explicitly said they were a Christian studio or that their game was Christian.

[Arnobius]

Yes I noticed that too. There seemed to be references to some ideas that seem popular with those who believe in the Tim LaHaye/Hal Lindsey view of things, so I wouldn't be suprised if it is a "Left Behind" style scenario.

Of course I imagine that saying explicitly that it is a Christian game is the kiss of death when it comes to marketing, so they may be playing that in a low key fashion. The images are certainly impressive.

Doubt I'll get it though. I tend to feel ill in FPS, even those with a high frame rate like HALO (which is too bad since seeing it played does make it look like a cool game). It would be nice for there to be a successful game though

[Felix]

Oh I see, that makes sense. I probably won't get it either, especially because all my spare cash is going to be going into the Wii and Wii games and DS games coming out. It does look like a fun game though.

[Raiden no Kishi]

You can also tell it's a Christian game by the "end times" setting. Seems to be popular. Ever hear of just making great games?

I will read the reviews for this one, though.

.rai//

[Neko Niisan]

Oh I see, that makes sense. I probably won't get it either, especially because all my spare cash is going to be going into the Wii and Wii games and DS games coming out. It does look like a fun game though.

My problem exactely...

It would be interesting if they would produce on the Wii, just imagine battle in the end times using you remote as your gun "Red Steel" style!

[Tommy]

As long as its not rated M, I'm all set.

[Slater]

Is it really a Christian game, or are they just borrowing Christian motifs like a thousand other games have?

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Looks just like the left behind game... only an FPS

I dunno how they'll effectively pull off religion in this one.

[mechana2015]

Wonderful... its really a shame practically noone can think of christian entertainment outside of Revelation. Why can't they take a note from the few christian authors who DONT write in that genre (Randy Alcorn and Frank Peretti are the first two i can think of).

[Bobtheduck]

Hmm... This post will be the extent of my discussion on this, most likely... FPS christian game... End times... Two of my no-nos... So, I say *raspberries* no thanks. At least someone pro is working on it (someone from id, you say?) but FPS games... Sorry... I put this with the numerous other attempts at christian games... Could I be proven wrong? I suppose... We'll see...

[Godly Paladin]

At least it ain't a sword that shoots light. *glares at N'Lightening*

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

The graphics look far better than other Christian games, but it's too early to say anything else. Anyone else sick of Christian FPS and End of Times games? I am. How about Christian RTS and racing games - stuff like that?

[Cap'n Nick]

Christian racing? Like Disciple-Kart?

Actually, I think a Christian racing game is a great idea. Winning and competition can be complicated issues for Christians and a game plot that dealt with them seriously would be innovative, enlightening and interesting. Racing is also associated with materialism, another important issue.

Speaking of FPS, there's a game in progress called "Epidemic" which integrates tough ethical decisions into the gameplay. What's interesting is that the world (and presumably the ethics) are borrowed from the pages of Atlas Shrugged. Whether the game is a success or not, I think this goes to show that Christians need to get with the program when it comes to making enjoyable, thought-provoking games, because the other groups aren't sitting on their heels.

[Zilch]

Christian racing? Like Disciple-Kart?

That's one of the best lines I've heard in awhile.


But yeah, I'm suprised no one can make a game outside of the End Times motif. Probably because it's the only scenario that justifies violence.

[Omega Amen]

Is it a Christian game? Well, after some quick Google searching, I found this article:

http://www.games.net/article_frame/article_frame.cfm?global_id=111701&src=gamepro&id=48970

From that article, we can conclude that this group is clearly trying to cater this to the Christian market (however that may be defined) in some way even with an anticipated M rating and aiming for next-gen platforms to avoid the low production quality stereotype. They are also looking to convince a major publisher to fund and sell their project (an extremely important step not taken yet). An interesting note is that the player can choose a faction to side with in this war and it is not just Christian. The player can choose either the Anti-Christ, Jewish, Christian, or Muslim factions.

My speculation is that they are trying to sell this first project by riding on the Left Behind commercial success. While that may upset some members here, from a pure business development view, that might be the one feasible way to convince a current major publisher that this can be a serious money-maker.

It seems, in my opinion, the focus is on the dynamics of the end-time conflict. More about fighting the Anti-Christ-like force than the return of the Son of God.

Honestly, I am more interested in keeping track of this game to see if a major publisher will pick this developer group up with this project starting their portfolio.

[TheMelodyMaker]

...And thus more evidence that the only way to see a game made properly is to make it oneself. :\

[Saint Kevin]

I think this game looks pretty cool. Risque, no doubt, with factions such as "Anti-Christ, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim," but I can assuredly say that if the online multiplayer gameplay is as enjoyable as Rainbow Six 3, Ghost Recon, Halo 2, and Return to Castle Wolfenstein, they I'll pick it up without a second thought.

I wonder about the effect that making such a game will have? Will it make more people think about the apocalypse? (Maybe)
Will it garner lots of free publicity from the likes of Fox News and Al Jazeera? (Probably)
Will it be sure to anger a lot of people for using religion as a basis for a faction? (Most certainly)
But will it be fun?

Only time will tell.

I hope they do well, and that God uses it to wake people up and to bring them to Himself.

[GrubbTheFragger]

Wow this game actually looks like it will be good *faints*

[TrigunX89]

Woah, it looks cool.

[Slater]

I don't think that making gamers think about the apocalypse is a good thing for a gaming developer to do. In the secular realm, people consider it another chance to proove Christians wrong about the timeframe of the coming of the Lord, much as they have been for the past 300 years when "Christian" men have made such claims.

[uc pseudonym]

Well, I'm glad to see that there is a Christian game with what appears to be decent talent and funding. As for the theology or how optimistic I am about this game having solid religious content... I don't think I'll go there again.

Thank you for posting that article, Omega Amen. It is always good to have other sources.