A new christian game...any input is so valuable.
- Thread starter Jon4TheCross
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I am currently studying Software Engineering and Game Design in University, so I have to write reports like this, I know it can be difficult to write a game from scratch. You should start this sort of thing with the goal of the game. A game is something that has a goal, rules, a pretend reality, and is a play activity. For example, the goal of soccer is to score the most points in the given time, the rules you probably know, the pretend reality is the playing field, and it is a play activity because it is done for fun. For your game, I'm not sure what the goal is, the pretend reality is any literal path, the rules are clear, but I'm not sure this is the sort of thing people would do for fun. From what I gathered, players are to walk along a path while following 69 rules (sometimes 70). This many rules is only practical in a video game because they are all built into the game and the player doesn't have to know them. But you stated that this is a real world game.
There are some rules that seem like they should not be in a real world game, such as Rule # 62: A Hit is any attack from any person that causes bruising, blood release, or physical damage, etc.. People shouldn't and most likely will not be hitting each other to the point of bruising in this game. If they are, nobody is going to be worried about the game anymore.
Another thing that comes to mind is I am wondering about your target audience. Rule number 6 says that the game must be played for a minimum of 8 hours. This sort of time commitment suggests hardcore gamers, as does the commitment it would take to learn all of the rules for the game. But you would have trouble finding this many hardcore gamers in one area, which is why in order to have games with huge learning curves and time commitment you have to take them online (google game dwarf fortress for example). The fact is that most people are casual gamers, and they need for the rules to be simple and the time commitment to be very small. This is why gaming on phones has become so popular, you can learn a game and play it in under 5 minutes, and continue playing it every time you have 5 minutes where you aren't busy.
Also, it seems that the rules of this game are intended to promote virtue in the players. This approach to virtue usually only works on small children (e.g. playing a 'game' where part of the game involves each kid in a class having to say something nice about another kid). The only time this sort of thing works for adults is 'trust building exercises', which are not games, and are not very complicated. For adults it would be better to create a game with Christian themes, rather than Christian inspired rules. Or if you are looking for a game that has no story, it would be better to base it on Bible trivia.
That's my input. I think it's good that you're trying to be innovative. But if you want to stick to real world game style I recommend you take it down about 70 notches. Try getting at one Christian theme, rather than 70. Try to make it more fun, maybe get someone to walk from A to B with a person on their back while everyone shoots water guns at them. I'd say that's about as good a metaphor for the Christian walk as any.
There are some rules that seem like they should not be in a real world game, such as Rule # 62: A Hit is any attack from any person that causes bruising, blood release, or physical damage, etc.. People shouldn't and most likely will not be hitting each other to the point of bruising in this game. If they are, nobody is going to be worried about the game anymore.
Another thing that comes to mind is I am wondering about your target audience. Rule number 6 says that the game must be played for a minimum of 8 hours. This sort of time commitment suggests hardcore gamers, as does the commitment it would take to learn all of the rules for the game. But you would have trouble finding this many hardcore gamers in one area, which is why in order to have games with huge learning curves and time commitment you have to take them online (google game dwarf fortress for example). The fact is that most people are casual gamers, and they need for the rules to be simple and the time commitment to be very small. This is why gaming on phones has become so popular, you can learn a game and play it in under 5 minutes, and continue playing it every time you have 5 minutes where you aren't busy.
Also, it seems that the rules of this game are intended to promote virtue in the players. This approach to virtue usually only works on small children (e.g. playing a 'game' where part of the game involves each kid in a class having to say something nice about another kid). The only time this sort of thing works for adults is 'trust building exercises', which are not games, and are not very complicated. For adults it would be better to create a game with Christian themes, rather than Christian inspired rules. Or if you are looking for a game that has no story, it would be better to base it on Bible trivia.
That's my input. I think it's good that you're trying to be innovative. But if you want to stick to real world game style I recommend you take it down about 70 notches. Try getting at one Christian theme, rather than 70. Try to make it more fun, maybe get someone to walk from A to B with a person on their back while everyone shoots water guns at them. I'd say that's about as good a metaphor for the Christian walk as any.
Thank you for your valuable input. The words you typed are quite a powerful parable.
The truth is that this is a game to the world and intended to be started by Christians playing the game as work for the gospel...and so that the lost can simply start following and learning about the real christian walk until they are ready to play by the rules with a number.
I agree that I should probably remove the "hit" rules...cause it might actually provoke more persecution by simply having the rule in there.
If this game were up and going...eventually I do believe attacks will be made against those playing it because of the power of the example so similar to the way Jesus discipled His followers.
Thank you again...and again...I would encourage you to read your post as a parable...cause I believe God has justed used you to give a good one.
The truth is that this is a game to the world and intended to be started by Christians playing the game as work for the gospel...and so that the lost can simply start following and learning about the real christian walk until they are ready to play by the rules with a number.
I agree that I should probably remove the "hit" rules...cause it might actually provoke more persecution by simply having the rule in there.
If this game were up and going...eventually I do believe attacks will be made against those playing it because of the power of the example so similar to the way Jesus discipled His followers.
Thank you again...and again...I would encourage you to read your post as a parable...cause I believe God has justed used you to give a good one.
T
Haha! You're no Jeremiah, mate. I'd rather follow the Mosaic Law than play your game. It has less rules and seems more fun. Freedom in Christ, yo. Your game seems to be trying to bring Christians back under the Law, that's not going to work. We live in Grace. Besides, life as a Christian is difficult enough without this nonsense.
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Call it what you want, makes no difference to me. This game looks like following Jesus and making disciples the way He did...by saying one simple command to the lost sheep...follow me. I am sure the homeless will love it...along with the poor.
1 John 2:5-7Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)
5*But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6*He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
7*Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
Keeping His word is also in body language...and this game makes it really easy to simply follow and learn as you go.
Maybe you approve of the witnessing idea to American churches I posted? In that way of witnessing a word would not even need to depart from the mouth...it would be spoken in body language.
The laborers (in body language as well...continually) are few.
1 John 2:5-7Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)
5*But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6*He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
7*Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
Keeping His word is also in body language...and this game makes it really easy to simply follow and learn as you go.
Maybe you approve of the witnessing idea to American churches I posted? In that way of witnessing a word would not even need to depart from the mouth...it would be spoken in body language.
The laborers (in body language as well...continually) are few.
Hmmm...
Deuteronomy 16:15-17Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)
15*Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the Lord thy God in the place which the Lord shall choose: because the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice.
16*Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the Lord empty: 17*every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee.
Deuteronomy 16:15-17Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)
15*Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the Lord thy God in the place which the Lord shall choose: because the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice.
16*Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the Lord empty: 17*every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee.
uhhu....etc...amen and yes....uhhu..............................................................................................
[h=1]Hebrews 4:11-13Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)[/h] [SUP]11 [/SUP]Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
[SUP]12 [/SUP]For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. [SUP]13 [/SUP]Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
[h=1]Hebrews 4:11-13Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)[/h] [SUP]11 [/SUP]Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
[SUP]12 [/SUP]For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. [SUP]13 [/SUP]Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Its true that it's a real world traveling game ( and I'd like to start with a practice track) with it's own economy, identity, government/rules, rewards, and way more than that. This game can create so very many jobs. When churches start sponsoring travelers to represent....then many will have a sweet job for probably as long as they want. I'll work on the link.