Should 'GOD' be in games?

OXM - Hark, the zip and clang of opinions clashing against one another! It can only be another instalment of the Hot Topic - a monthly feature in which two of OXM's finest battle for your approval.

[Snookies12]

***Disgaea 4 spoiler***

You got to fight a piece of God in Disgaea 4. Thought that was pretty epic...

[Bimkoblerutso]

Haha, yeah, that was great.

And what is with all these "should XXX be in games" articles? Why should games be held to a different standard than any other medium?

Obviously, there are games out there that use subjects like violence and sex as an exploitative method to sell games, but as a medium, games should be just as free to explore these kinds of themes as any other medium.

[secretcode]

XXX is already in games. We don't talk about those.

[1OddWorld]

I agree with you. Give me XXX games because I am a man and I like ( . )( . )'s

Now I have to watch out for Adria Richards for my comment is sexist and racist for those are white boobs.

[cyguration]

@YosemiteSam

They're more like grey boobs, but I digress.

[Army_of_Darkness]

So what's wrong with having God's here and there??

[Irishguy95]

Whats the difference between Christianity and Greek mythology? It'll be a couple hundred more years until Christianity becomes myth.

Yes Reverent...Christianity is a pretty epic tale all in all...a game about Lucifers rebellion would be particularly epic. An Action RPG set in an open world heaven/ Nom

[Reverent]

The difference is that a large amount of people believe in Christianity. If the mythologies of ancient Greece were still religions of today, you could expect to see a ton of people offended by a lot of crap.

Personally, as a Christian, I don't get offended very easily. In fact, I think Christian "Mythology" is incredibly interesting and would make for some amazing story telling in video games.

[1OddWorld]

Religions are the perfect back drop for games its all make believe.

Religion:Mass delusion

Doesn't that sound like a great game to play. I bet it would be scary as hell.

All puns intended :D

[goldwyncq]

The difference is that 1 out of 3 people in the world is likely to be a Christian.

[Sovereign59]

Freedom of speech/expression must include the right to offend. If anyone chooses to believe in something for which there exists absolutely no evidence to support it, that's one thing, but they can't keep playing the "offended" card each time someone challenges them.
Religion within games as a plot device is fine, portrayal of religions in games such as Halo (Covenant religion) and Dead Space (Unitology) accurately shows how horrible acts can (and have throughout the majority of our own real-world history) be committed in the name of {insert god of choice here}.
The real problem is religion snaking its way into education systems not through classes that are intended to educate our youth on mythology and literature, but rather via the science classroom. This is simply reprehensible.

And back to the old "offended" thing... http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[Mounce]

What the article title doesn't really say is, WHICH God are they referring to?

Christians' God? Tons of Greek Gods existed....

There is no 'The' God, there are MANY gods.

But to answer its question? God is an interesting CONCEPT. . . . for good storytelling ;) . . . but that's all. So, moves/games should use them as they spice up a good FANTASY. . . that of which may spice up the life of a Game and hopefully not Reality.

[1OddWorld]

Getting a lot of disagrees must be some really PC people getting their feelings hurt.

[Insomnia_84]

An imaginary friend on videos games? There's plenty of those already.

[GalacticEmpire]

Who?

[Metamorph93]

Games can do a parody of another game or company without getting in trouble for it, so what's the issue with religion? If you don't like a game, you don't buy it, so where's the problem? Nowhere. If grand theft auto is allowed, religion should be allowed too. Saying no religion allowed in video games is like saying no religion allowed in movies.

Religion will never be outlawed because there are so many religious people in the world. Leave things as they always have been. People have choices. When you start taking things away, there is no diversity or choices anymore.

[ATi_Elite]

Depends if they get Morgan Freeman to do the voice acting!

[ExCest]

Morgan shall always be God in my eyes.

His voice is God itself.

[raiden-49]

He would not be an enemy as I couldn't kill such a epic voice. xD

[Kratoscar2008]

Nope because people arent prepared for it:

You can kill God (Christian) YHVH in SMT2.

In Strange Journey you kill the Old Testament God of the Material World, the Demiurge.

One of them didnt leave Japan, the other is only recognisable for those who know about SMT 2.

[Summons75]

Yeah, the SMT deals heavily in religion but it isn't just one religion. They have a little bit from every religion just about. They handle it very well too.

But your right people can't handle religion being a focus especially if it's god (so and so) is better than (that one over there). Which I can agree that it should be like that. Games shouldn't choose sides, they should be neutral so anyone can play without offense. Game that take a religious or political view (that I've really enjoyed) always make it even where one side says the other is bad but then you see the side you came from is just as bad.

[WildArmed]

One of the biggest franchises of this gen involves killing Gods -- God Of War.

I don't think it's a matter of should Gods be in games or not. It's how they are handled, I think for the most part the gaming industry has been doing a fine job.

[Lord_Sloth]

He's talking about the Christian god, Jehovah.

To the article, Most people don't approach it out of fear of repercussions or they're trying to respect the largest religious belief on the planet. Sure, there's a whole lot of variations of Christianity with Catholics, Baptists, Pentecostals, Mormons, and Witnesses, but they all tend to take their beliefs very seriously. Just Saiyan.

[Reverent]

When it comes to modern religions, I think a game developer would have to at least be respectful to the religions they are presenting. I'm a Christian, yet I have no issue at all with God being in a video game, but I wouldn't want "God being killed" or something as such being part of the game. Not because I would find it offensive, but because it's disrespectful.

I have plenty of Atheist friends who are respectful that I believe in God. They don't try to convince me that it's stupid, or saying anything against God (In front of me anyways) and I would hope the a game developer would treat me with the same respect.

That goes for all modern religions, not just mine. If you don't believe in God, fine, no big deal. If you believe in one God, but not another, fine, no big deal. But there's no reason to insult another for their personal beliefs. As long as developers take this into consideration, I'll be happy.

[FlameBaitGod]

If you are insecure about your own believes then you should insult another for their personal believes and use the "your religion has cause more deaths than diabetes or w/e they say this days" when its crazy people that use religion to justify what they have done.

[FlameBaitGod]

4got to add the /s xD

[josephayal]

Government, Gaming And Religion Don't Mix

[SymphonicRain]

No, no. I think it's like this.

Government and religion don't mix.

Gaming and Government don't mix.

Therefore, gaming and religion is a match made in heaven. Look at God of War and Dante's Inferno.

[Gameatholon]

Xenogears makes numerous references to God and Church As does its spiritual successor Xenosaga.

[vickers500]

Sure, so long as it's not trying push some sort of belief system down your throat or some kind of moral message.

[CBaoth]

I read your comment, noticed your pic, then smiled.

"Surely, you can't be serious.
Yes...yes I am, and don't call me Shirley."

[vickers500]

Are you referring to Bioshock Infinite?

[InTheZoneAC]

lol at the lost people

the **** is obvious with the way life works and how the universe as a whole is functioning, yet people want to give some scientist credit for trying to prove how everything started, yet it is IMPOSSIBLE to prove

if you could travel back in time, then you can prove what happened.

but this whole universe cannot exist without a greater being

it's as simple as that, regardless of what your religion is

[elhebbo16]

So you're saying that if we dont know something, it must be God? that my friend is called the God of the gaps.

[Reverent]

I was just saying this to the guy above you... You can't just disrespect people like this.

Sure, and Athiest can say something like "God doesn't exist" and people like us can get offended... But it works both ways. Believe in God but don't shove it down peoples throats.

Respect other's beliefs, and hope they respect yours (If they are a decent person, they will).

[elhebbo16]

I don't mine people believing in god, sometimes we need guidance and that's ok. but you cant go around saying that If scientist don't know how the universe started then it must be god... that's dismissive and BS.

[Oh_Yeah]

What happened before nothing? The brightest minds in science believe a black hole started in another universe and sucked matter into a condense little space which blew up to create our universe...So that would mean for every so black hole another universe is created...meaning endless amounts of universes. Now tell me what's outside of all those universes? Ahhh you can't and neither can science..they don't even try to go outside of what I just said the mind won't allow it, technology won't allow it. Many scientist do believe in a higher power, not necessarily depicted in religion but never the less... A higher power aka a God. For all you know we could be in some type of super computer...Or the universe is the mind of some being....we could be just a thought, do you realize how small your are and how big just a universe is let alone what's outside of all the universes? It's kind of silly not to believe in a higher power. Science doesn't go against God.. Science is trying to explain and make sense of Gods workings. When I refer to God it's not in a Christian, Jewish, Islam etc. sense. Those are RELIGIONS a group of followers who follow a set of beliefs... God is not a religion God is God.

[glennco]

Science doesn't know so must be god. What a dumbass thing to say. If science knew everything there wouldn't be a need for scientists, they would all be called science teachers. There is zero evidence for god and the burden of proof lies with the person making the claim that there is a god. Come back when there is just a tiny bit of evidence.

You are just making stuff up. There simply is no debate, just waiting for the rest to catch up.

[Oh_Yeah]

@glennco open your mind bud... Do you or any of the smartest people in the world know how this came to be? No and none of us will ever know, we're no where near close. A higher power is the only logical answer we have, proof? Look around you, who created the building your in, who created the internet, who created you? A maker. What else could there be? Shit doesn't just spring out of nothing. Do yourself a favor and watch Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman on YouTube.. You'll understand where I'm coming from.

[TheDivine]

Yep the Big Bang is scientists explanation for when God created the universe. One instant there was nothing, he spoke let there be, and bam there is now a universe. How else can something come from nothing? Science says matter cannot be created nor destroyed.

Another big difference is Christ and many Old Testament prophets are actual historical figures who have thousands of witnesses. Most of the events were prophesized thousands of years prior. Christ was foretold and events happening today were also. Everyone asks for proof but when proof is presented they dismiss it. People say if only I could see Christ but people already did. He raised the dead, gave blind their sight, deaf their hearing, forgave sins, and rose from the grave himself.

One story gets me. It was of the rich man who died and went to whatever hell you go to. He asked Christ to allow him to return so he could tell his brothers not to follow in his steps. If only they could see me back from the grave they would change their ways he said. Christ said they have ignored the word, the prophets who were sent, they didnt believe THOUGH ONE DID RISE FROM THE GRAVE. I'm paraphrasing here but theming is God sent the prophets to share his word. People ignored and killed them. He sent more and the same happened. Finally he said I will send them my son, surely they will hear him yet they ignored and killed even him. There's nobody left to send. If you don't hear already you never will. People witnessed these things and yet you doubt. If Christ came to you you would find a reason to argue or disbelieve. He already conquered the grave for all of us. It's like trying trying to explain the wind to someone. You can't see it but you can feel it and occasionally see its power blowing leaves around. Until you feel it and see it in action you wouldn't believe it. I've seen God work miracles and have had him change my life. I know people who prayed to God before killing themselves and he hears them and sends someone from nowhere to help them. I've seen crack and heroin addicts get saved and remain sober from that instance on. Sure it's not seeing God but I've seen the leaves blowing in the wind along with the breeze on my skin. That's enough evidence for the wind and enough for God.

Also people mix up religion and faith. Religion is nothing more than a set of beliefs, traditions, and rules, most of which are man made. I don't follow any religion I follow God and his son Jesus. All it is is believing Christ lived, died, and rose from the dead. You repent to God and believe unto salvation. Abraham believed God and was accounted as righteous. He wasn't righteous just as I am not but God looks upon both of us as if we were because we believed him and trust in his promises. He said Christs blood would make me clean and I trust that if he said it its true. He died so I don't have to.

Christ came to save the world. When he returns its to punish a wicked world who rejected that offer. Choose wisely.

[Tonester925]

I suggest everyone watches this on religion . /watch?v=oZgT1SRcrKE

It will have your mind going crazy

[Mythicninja]

Paul states in 1 Corinthians 15:5-8 that Jesus appeared, after his resurrection, to "above five hundred of the brethren at once." But doesn't say when or where. Or who. And no mention is made anywhere else in the New Testament of the supposed event. An event which no other writer even acknowledges. Inside the Bible or outside it.

I wonder why that is.

[TheColbertinator]

Only if its Haruhi :)

[ExCest]

O god yes.

[DragonKnight]

Final Fantasy Tactics.

[Skate-AK]

Well i think any game could have their own God if the devs went down that path and could make it beneficial to the story. Dragon Age does it but just calls him Maker.

[MidnytRain]

Prepare your arks for a sh**storm of biblical proportions.

[Sarobi]

Sure, as long as it is done in a manner that doesn't piss off the religious people in bunches.

[Neko_Mega]

Which god? God Of War, GOD GOD or God Of Games? The list can go on and I don't see why it matters too.

[wenaldy]

Kojima Kaminandesu.

[specialguest]

In the classic SNES game ActRaiser, you WERE God. The people worshiped you and relied heavily on your intervention to help them survive.

[RoseSapphire]

There are dozens of "Gods" in video games. This question is asinine. Religion of various kinds has and does exist in games whether they are fictional or otherwise.

[WalterWJR]

Let's have a prayer

Dear god, should god (you) be in video games?

Surely this is up to god to decide and not us mere mortals

[glennco]

*crickets

[NastyLeftHook0]

yes

[Xklaw]

God is omnipresent, He is everywhere, videogames are no exception.

[Eazy-Eman]

I'm playing devil survivor right now, and Naoya (Protagonist's cousin) asked me if I think that God is righteous. If God wasn't able to be in video games, then we wouldn't have awesome game series like Shin Megami, and besides slaying Gods is a fun thing to do :3

[CourierSix]

I'm not religious(bordering on anti-religious), so I wouldn't mind, but I know it would bother a lot of people. If developers did introduce God into games they'd have to tread carefully.

[Human Analog]

If man was created in Gods image, then by default he is in everything....

[glennco]

it is the other way around. god was created in man's image

[Human Analog]

Agreed.... If God didn't exist it would be necessary for man to create him.

[ThatCanadianGuy514]

Sure! I can never get enough fantasy games.

[Max-Zorin]

I wouldn't mind.

[ger2396]

Trying making a game with Allah in it and see what happens. Look at what happened with little big planet. I believe they had to edit a song before launch because it mentioned Allah.

[aLucidMind]

Let's ask God; if they says nothing, we'll know he or she is totally cool with the idea.

[rick5292]

Father, I thank you for loving every single person whom your Son has made. May you give love and boldness to those who are ashamed of You and mercy and grace to those who mock and scorn You.

Guys, if you want to know if God is real, all one needs to do is to get in touch with Him for yourself. And one will not understand until you have that first encounter for yourself.

I had a biology teacher who believed in BOTH creation AND evolution. Science is not a scary word for the believer nor is it obviously scary for God. They go both, hand-in-hand.

With that being said, I hope everyone has a great night.

[whamlollypop7]

In the west they will just go after Christianity because its an easy target. If a game were to praise Christianity a lot of media outlets would boo this game. They won't touch Islam because everyone is terrified of offending them. I doubt gaming narrative will ever be as deep as film or literature because its interactive and you need lots of story breaking action or the toy will be boring and it won't sell.

[PSjesus]

i believe in Kratos and he is a badass God

[Kennytaur]

Black and White?

[hazelamy]

why not?

there have been thousands of games featuring other fictional characters.

[catch]

Stories that have been around for thousands of years are prime places to draw game scenarios from. We do it with polytheistic mythologies so why not the monotheistic ones as well?

[DivineAssault]

No character or mythical being could defeat God in battle though.. Itd be pointless unless he were only part of the story or something.. Thats thin ice to walk on in gaming.. Games have huge influences on peoples thinking & it could be very offensive to them

[Rupee]

Someone should make a game where all the major figures in religion fight each other. Kinda like "injustice: gods among us" but with actual gods. I would totally buy that game.

[D3athc3ll]

Interesting Article.

Interesting comments!

I'd say it depends on how you use God in videogames that matters. If you are this demon Lord that needs to kill God in order to win, It will be stupid and you will try to make a fool of God.

But if you use God in a way to like maybe Honor Him or praise Him or send a good message or something, i'd say go for it!!!

As for porn in games (off-topic), i'd say i wont go and buy a porn game, since well having a wife (or whatever ur beliefs are) and doing things to her is way better than actually mastrubating over a videogame. Though i must admit that the female human body is beautiful and great to look at. I just don't see how graphics can make porn epic... That is the problem with porn - you always want more and more - the lust just keeps filling ur mind and ideas about woman, etc.

Young Children are already so fucktup in this world, why make them play games with porno in it. Im 25 and believe most gamers to be more or less my age on average, I dont see any reason to make porno games, except for like a couple of retards who's lust is sky high.

God in games for the right reason = yeah go for it!!

Porn in games (no right reason can be achieved) = why? Get a wife rather and make love to her! Believe me 1 woman is more than enough if you love her the way we were created by God! Not lust for woman - Rather LOVE for woman!

I'm of to tell my wife how much i appreciate her! Do the same!

[turgore]

I like the depiction of God in Bayonetta and how she kills him.