This is phenomenal. This is the first article like this that I’ve read… I’ve long held a desire for the Church to be in the gaming sphere, and even longer have I desired to CREATE a game myself! Because, just as you said, the story-writing… just isn’t enough. World building and story telling can only go so far in written words. It can go so much further in the experience of a video game.
Your short tips on ways to get started were great. Any plans to write more on this topic? I.e., a how-to for getting started, or something like that? I’d be interested.
Whoopsies I think I accidentally replied to the wrong comment so I've gotta repeat myself now. Rookie move! Which brings me to my main point: I'd love to write more on the topic, but I am pretty new to the scene myself and don't feel great about positioning myself as an authority figure when there are so many better guides out there for any given dev path (not by Christians per se but very useful nonetheless). That said I am mulling over some ideas that could work for my experience level so by all means, subscribe to the Watchfire and stay tuned! In the meantime, you may want to check out Exile Gaming and the Imladris Community which I only just found out about recently from another reader's comment, but they sound promising https://exilegaming.org/
Like so many others, I am hoping to get involved with game development on the narrative/storytelling side. There is so much potential in video games to tell powerful stories that focus on Christian themes. The games don't even have to be overtly Christian or biblical to get the point across.
Agreed! I think there are some already out there, which I’ve written about (as a sort of side venture) here on Substack. Check it out sometime if you’ve a chance!
Not working on something, but your post has inspired me! It’s absolutely something I could do (I’m passionate about storytelling and competent on a computer) so I will look into it!
It is fertile land indeed. The networks seem small scale still, but there are attempts at organizing with groups such as the Imladris Community. I look forward to where such things may go. The indie game dev world has long been a haven for very dark ideologies.
I've never heard of Imladris, but at a quick glance it looks worthwhile (legit name too). Thanks for sharing it! It's so true about indie games, some really twisted stuff in that scene but there's no reason it has to be like that.
Hi Holly, enjoyed your take here a lot. I wonder if the recent release of ‘I Am Jesus Christ’ prompted some of this thinking? It appeared a joke to many, blasphemous to others, but to others still, perhaps a way forward to help Christian stories reach people in new ways.
Bottom line, as a major gamer myself, I think more games with Christian games and themes - particularly ones that are critiquing or exploring these themes - are more than welcome!
You know I actually never even heard of that game until you mentioned it, but at a quick glance I can see why it would cause a stir.
There is so much depth and beauty in the Christian tradition, it’s such a shame we don’t showcase it more! Doesn’t even have to be super blatant, LotR being the quintessential example of a thoroughly Christian work that’s not very on the nose about it.
I’ve been working on a game story idea for over a year but too scared to put it into an actual game. Started coming up with soundtrack and everything. Played around with PICO-8, got stuck in the weeds, stalled out. This post might push me over to keep at it! Thanks for writing!
Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to make my own video games. When Mario Maker 2 came out, I was instantly addicted! "You mean I can create my very own Mario levels?! And other people can play them?!"
I've made mock video game animations...with music, too! So basically, an animated music video. All pixel art!
The only thing keeping me from creating actual video games is not knowing how to code. When I saw some of the math classes a friend of mind had to take while learning how to code, I was like, well, guess it's not for me then. Haha!
Now, there are all these "engines" people can use. I'd like to sit down and learn how to use one, but the idea is friggin intimidating.
Fair enough! Coding definitely isn't for everyone, though I think a lot of people would enjoy it more than they think if they only gave it a chance. Some of the engines are getting pretty user friendly... definitely a mental exercise still and takes some dedication, but sounds like you might have the kind of drive to make it work! The fact that you can already do pixel animation is amazing.
Brackeys has some fun tutorials for Godot up on the YouTube to make a Mario-like game, might not be a bad idea to give it a go and see how you like it https://youtu.be/LOhfqjmasi0?si=lmM9NfYSSa0Q5ZvI
Link to the Past harhar. I have making text based card games on my radar with Twine and have tinkered with different game ideas over the years. Graphics have always been a draback for me personally, so I figured with the text game boom I might as well see what I can do.
May I ask what you mean by patrons? Are you talking about customers? Which is an understandably difficult hurdle to clear? Or are you talking about publishers? Which is also difficult but for different reasons?
Here I’m using “patrons” as a general term for wealthy individuals, businesses, or even governments who pour money into creative endeavours. I think there are a lot of willing customers for quality content, but that’s kind of off the point if the quality content isn’t even being made because of cost factors, or is being made but not effectively advertised for similar reasons.
This is phenomenal. This is the first article like this that I’ve read… I’ve long held a desire for the Church to be in the gaming sphere, and even longer have I desired to CREATE a game myself! Because, just as you said, the story-writing… just isn’t enough. World building and story telling can only go so far in written words. It can go so much further in the experience of a video game.
Your short tips on ways to get started were great. Any plans to write more on this topic? I.e., a how-to for getting started, or something like that? I’d be interested.
Whoopsies I think I accidentally replied to the wrong comment so I've gotta repeat myself now. Rookie move! Which brings me to my main point: I'd love to write more on the topic, but I am pretty new to the scene myself and don't feel great about positioning myself as an authority figure when there are so many better guides out there for any given dev path (not by Christians per se but very useful nonetheless). That said I am mulling over some ideas that could work for my experience level so by all means, subscribe to the Watchfire and stay tuned! In the meantime, you may want to check out Exile Gaming and the Imladris Community which I only just found out about recently from another reader's comment, but they sound promising https://exilegaming.org/
Thanks, Holly! I understand.
Without even reading yet… yes. 🤌
Like so many others, I am hoping to get involved with game development on the narrative/storytelling side. There is so much potential in video games to tell powerful stories that focus on Christian themes. The games don't even have to be overtly Christian or biblical to get the point across.
Agreed! I think there are some already out there, which I’ve written about (as a sort of side venture) here on Substack. Check it out sometime if you’ve a chance!
I think I just might!
Not working on something, but your post has inspired me! It’s absolutely something I could do (I’m passionate about storytelling and competent on a computer) so I will look into it!
Awesome! I'd love to hear about your WIP when it gets going 💪
It is fertile land indeed. The networks seem small scale still, but there are attempts at organizing with groups such as the Imladris Community. I look forward to where such things may go. The indie game dev world has long been a haven for very dark ideologies.
I've never heard of Imladris, but at a quick glance it looks worthwhile (legit name too). Thanks for sharing it! It's so true about indie games, some really twisted stuff in that scene but there's no reason it has to be like that.
Hi Holly, enjoyed your take here a lot. I wonder if the recent release of ‘I Am Jesus Christ’ prompted some of this thinking? It appeared a joke to many, blasphemous to others, but to others still, perhaps a way forward to help Christian stories reach people in new ways.
Bottom line, as a major gamer myself, I think more games with Christian games and themes - particularly ones that are critiquing or exploring these themes - are more than welcome!
You know I actually never even heard of that game until you mentioned it, but at a quick glance I can see why it would cause a stir.
There is so much depth and beauty in the Christian tradition, it’s such a shame we don’t showcase it more! Doesn’t even have to be super blatant, LotR being the quintessential example of a thoroughly Christian work that’s not very on the nose about it.
I’ve been working on a game story idea for over a year but too scared to put it into an actual game. Started coming up with soundtrack and everything. Played around with PICO-8, got stuck in the weeds, stalled out. This post might push me over to keep at it! Thanks for writing!
Wonderful, I hope you do keep at it 🙂
Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to make my own video games. When Mario Maker 2 came out, I was instantly addicted! "You mean I can create my very own Mario levels?! And other people can play them?!"
I've made mock video game animations...with music, too! So basically, an animated music video. All pixel art!
The only thing keeping me from creating actual video games is not knowing how to code. When I saw some of the math classes a friend of mind had to take while learning how to code, I was like, well, guess it's not for me then. Haha!
Now, there are all these "engines" people can use. I'd like to sit down and learn how to use one, but the idea is friggin intimidating.
Here's one of the music videos I put together if you wanted to check it out: https://youtu.be/cfYysfEXFs0?si=lmA33FkVOSyrOwBW
Fair enough! Coding definitely isn't for everyone, though I think a lot of people would enjoy it more than they think if they only gave it a chance. Some of the engines are getting pretty user friendly... definitely a mental exercise still and takes some dedication, but sounds like you might have the kind of drive to make it work! The fact that you can already do pixel animation is amazing.
Brackeys has some fun tutorials for Godot up on the YouTube to make a Mario-like game, might not be a bad idea to give it a go and see how you like it https://youtu.be/LOhfqjmasi0?si=lmM9NfYSSa0Q5ZvI
Pico-8 is also an interesting game engine that's super bare bones which can make it easier to get into https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLavIQQGm3RCmPt93jcg4LEQTvoZRFf9l0&si=BjcP0kFtXe4IYrZ_
Link to the Past harhar. I have making text based card games on my radar with Twine and have tinkered with different game ideas over the years. Graphics have always been a draback for me personally, so I figured with the text game boom I might as well see what I can do.
Yes.
May I ask what you mean by patrons? Are you talking about customers? Which is an understandably difficult hurdle to clear? Or are you talking about publishers? Which is also difficult but for different reasons?
Here I’m using “patrons” as a general term for wealthy individuals, businesses, or even governments who pour money into creative endeavours. I think there are a lot of willing customers for quality content, but that’s kind of off the point if the quality content isn’t even being made because of cost factors, or is being made but not effectively advertised for similar reasons.