In this edition of “Video Games and the Bible Plays,” we jump into the extremely fun (though at the moment, technically flawed) city-builder, Cities XXL!
In Cities XXL, you will construct and govern cities around the world. However, building a city involves more than simply arranging buildings in an aesthetically pleasing manner. You have to control and maintain a variety of factors such as: Education, pollution, unemployment, the satisfaction of your citizens…
Cities XXL is certainly both fun and educational. However, the serious technical issues present (some of which required a full system reboot) cause us to recommend waiting until the game is updated to an adequate degree, or purchasing this title on sale.
Owners of the original game (Cities XL, Cities XL Platinum, etc.) receive a lifetime 50% discount. This offer can be redeemed through Steam here.
*Sources of screenshots are listed in their respective file-names.
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Regency Solitaire is an incredibly addictive and family-friendly title set during the Regency period of England (1811-1820). With persistent upgrades (taking the form of enhancements to Bella’s ballroom/wardrobe) and challenging Solitaire gameplay, it consistently left me saying “one more level” late into the night.
In the interview below, developers Jake and Helen Birkett give an intriguing glimpse into their unique section of the gaming industry, including their desire to reach across the “Hardcore-Casual” divide:
A (somewhat) normal working day for Jake and Helen Birkett…
You can buy Regency Solitaire, vote for its Greenlight Campaign and play a free dress-up game through the links below.
In this edition of “Video Games and the Bible Plays,” we jump into quirky collectible-card and strategy game, Ironclad Tactics for the PS4!
Ironclad Tactics is the unique fusion of a Collectible Card Game (ala Magic: The Gathering) and a turn-based strategy title. Set during the Civil War, you’ll assemble an army through smart deck-building and use your skills to defeat enemies across the United States and Europe. Online multiplayer is available (though not populated on the PS4 in my experience), allowing you to tackle the entire story in co-op or test your skills and deck-building prowess against others.
Ironclad Tactics Potential Concerns:
At one point in your adventure, you meet a “Madame Millie.” Her profession is hinted at but not directly depicted or referenced.
For those with a problem with blood, when Ironclads step in the same space as a human…Let’s just say the human goes “squish.”
Although the jet of blood and resulting splat (far right side, beneath gray Ironclad) is cartoon-styled, some viewers may take issue with this depiction.
In this episode of Video Games and the Bible Live, I speak with video game Community Manager, “LadyAijou.” Her job involves defusing conflicts, acting as a liason to developers and building passionate fanbases around titles such as Windward and Edge of Space.
Listen in as she explains how she became a community manager, what it takes to build a community, Goat Simulator, the importance of “being excellent to each other” and more!
*Sources of screenshots are listed in their respective file-names.
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Medieval RPGs typically contain sprawling storylines, a multitude of character customization options and significant elements of choice. While providing immersive and long-lasting experiences, games of this type usually also feature copious amounts of antibiblical content as well. This can be anything from magic to the player-initiated worship of deities.
As a result, Christians and families who appreciate the genre may feel extremely limited. Over time, you may even begin to believe that these games are your only options.
Overlooking a village in the territory of Swadia in first-person mode…
Mount & Blade: Warband is an open-world role-playing game set in the fictional, semi-realistic medieval land of Calradia. This means you’ll duel enemies with swords, shields and crossbows–not magical abilities.
Charging a group of entrenched bandit archers with one of my knights…
In this episode of Video Games and the Bible Live, I had the chance to speak with Jason and Nicole Stark–the patriarch and matriarch behind family-developed title, Ninja Pizza Girl.
Hear us discuss everything from the surprising decision process behind their studio name (Disparity Games) to some of the incredible experiences they’ve had building Ninja Pizza Girl as a family.
Thanks again to Elijah Elmasri (AKA “edouble1b“) for the awesome music!
*Sources of screenshots are listed in their respective file-names.
Spoiler alert: due to the nature of this examination, spoilers of both Far Cry 3 and 4 are included.
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The release of Far Cry 4 has been met with both critical and commercial success. Having played the game, I was genuinely surprised to find that it did not contain much the depravity of its predecessor, Far Cry 3.
However, both entries’ attitudes towards Christianity and Christ himself are…Sketchy, at best. This is best seen in their main antagonists, Vaas Montenegro and Pagan Min:
In Far Cry 3, you stab Vaas to death with a ritual knife shortly after he says:
“Take me into your heart. Accept me as your savior. Nail me to the f*ingcross and let me be reborn!“
Vaas (with outstretched arms) asks the player character to “Accept me as your savior.“
You, the player, are forced to stab this savior figure (or “another Jesus“) to death with a ritual knife.
In the videos above, you’ll find our interviews with the developers behind Bit Shifter (a family-friendly fusion of an RTS and a shooter in Early Access) and Schrodinger’s Cat and the Raiders of the Lost Quark (a science-themed platformer)!
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A note: This should be the last non-review/Bible related content posted for some time on Video Games and the Bible.
Of course, you will find future livestreams, Let’s Plays and interviews under the “Video Content” section of this site. However, I want to take this Holiday to recharge and seek God. 1 Timothy 4:13-16 says:
“Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”
“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
As much as I hate to leave the website managed only sporadically, I feel this is vital not only to my physical but my spiritual health as well.
I want to thank all of you for supporting Video Games and the Bible with your prayers and well-wishes. I am blessed by God every day to combine my passion with what should be and is the love of my life–Jesus Christ. He is the reason I am who I am and that Video Games and the Bible even exists. He is the focus, and all we do as believers, whether explicitly “Christian” or not, should point to him.
A few months ago, we had the fortune of interviewing Daniel Hall of Jenito Games regarding his then-unreleased indie game, Super Mega Bob. An excerpt:
“VGB:How has your faith affected the way you make video games?
Hall: That can be a difficult question to answer. My faith in Jesus Christ affects absolutely everything I do, so in that way my faith plays a huge role in making games. I tell people all the time that for me making games and serving God go hand in hand. The stories I write, art I make, games I design, etc. are all an expression of my faith in Christ and done for His glory. That being said, making games must be done professionally.
A plumber can take care of your pipe problems because he knows about pipes (and may be able to jump extremely high and save princesses from castles). A Christian plumber does what he does to glorify God, but I’m certain you wouldn’t want him fixing your plumbing unless he was very skilled and learned at his job.
In the same way, I don’t want to just be “good enough” to make games. I want to push myself to make professional quality stuff that is fun and engaging, and communicates powerful stories that really make an impact. Long story short, yes, my faith in Christ is the very reason I make games!” [Full Interview]
In the video above, you’ll find our brand new interview alongside footage of his now complete game. Topics include the keys to KickStarter success, the viability of Itch.io as a game release platform, social media etiquette and more!
Video Games and the Bible 