Left Behind: Eternal Forces

What could be a greater great than a video game adaptation of Left Behind, the popular series of Christian novels? Nothing! Imagine being able to slink around a greasy urban locale, dodging the putrid hands of radical secularists? Ignore the crappy reviews. This game has everything you could ever want out of this life AND the next. ;)

ign:

The game lets players take charge of the new believers in the struggle in a standard real-time strategy format. New York City is your battleground and missionaries are your soldiers. You'll be fighting against the forces of the Antichrist -- secular recruiters, rock stars and cultists. Who comes out on top will depend on how well you use the resources at your disposal.

At the most basic level, the game is about using your disciple units to recruit more believers. These believers can then be sent to a variety of structures for training in other essential roles: they can become disciples themselves and go out to recruit more believers; they can become builders to buy and refit old buildings; they can become musicians to shift the allegiance of evil units to neutral; they can become soldiers or doctors to help on the frontlines when things get bloody.

Comments

[Zen]

Awesome! Does it allow you to cast homosexuals into a pit of fire?

I'm thinking of creating a series of "evangelical warrior" trading cards. We could get guys like James Dobson and Tim Lahaye to dress up in "armor of God" costumes with real swords and shields, and take action shots! Who wants to invest with me? Dan? Dawn?

[Robin Edgar]

So where do Unitarian*Universalists aka U*Us fit into this scenario? ;-)

[Grinth]

The idea of "christian" video games is nothing new. They've been doing that since the days of the old 8-bit nintendo. What is slightly disconcerting though is the apparent focus of this game on converting people. To the best of my knowledge thats a first. The old games were much more focused on simply being biblically themed (and they were modelled after Zelda so they were actually kind of fun).

[Shoelimpy™]

I was really excited about this game, then I downloaded a demo of it and it crashed my computer. While I am still quite interested in the game, this experience has made me a little wary. Perhaps it was a sign from God that there is something wrong here? Or was it just a computer glitch?

[Friar_Tuck]

Arrrrggghhhhh.

That stuff embarasses me. Although you have to admit it does have some kitchy value in some way.

[Jonathan Hutson]

For more on the convert-or-die theology and sociology of Left Behind: Eternal Forces, see The Purpose-Driven Life Takers at Talk to Action: Reclaiming Citizenship, History, and Faith.

[SJR]

This statement is posted from an employee of Left Behind Games on behalf of Troy Lyndon, our Chief Executive Officer.

There has been in incredible amount of MISINFORMATION published in the media and in online blogs here and elsewhere.

Pacifist Christians and other groups are taking the game material out of context to support their own causes. There is NO “killing in the name of God” and NO “convert or die”. There are NO “negative portrayals of Muslims” and there are NO “points for killing”.

Please play the game demo for yourself (to at least level 5 of 40) to get an accurate perspective, or listen to what CREDIBLE unbiased experts are saying after reviewing the game at www.leftbehindgames.com/pages/controversy.com

Then, we’d love to hear your feedback as an informed player.

The reality is that we’re receiving reports everyday of how this game is positively affecting lives by all who play it.

Thank you for taking the time to be a responsible blogger.

[Non-Prophet]

SJR, did you even read the post? Where do I make any of the claims that you accuse me of? Perhaps your persecution complex has deluded you.

The only real criticism IGN had regarding the game was how badly it sucked. If you want to attribute that to the fact that it is based on some really stupid books I think you're giving yourself way too much credit as a video game designer. The criticism you received was based on broken path-finding, crappy presentation, boring gameplay etc. Asking me to try the demo of a game that received a 45.6% (out of 100% on gamerankings.com) is silly. There are a slew of games out there based on equally asinine topics that suck less. Why would I waste me time? Because you're whining about Christian persecution?

Look out SJR! The liberals are coming, and they want to destroy Christmas! :0)

[Zen]

Whoa ... NP you in a bad mood? That was a serious spank.

Mmmmm spank.

What SJR seems to miss here is that Left Behind - the books, the game - are based on an aberrant christian theology. That is what we so-called "pacifist" Christians reject. The game is secondary to that.

[Non-Prophet]

Naaa. Not a bad mood. More like bored. That, and I really hate crappy games.

Gamespot:

Don't mock Left Behind: Eternal Forces because it's a Christian game. Mock it because it's a very bad game. The real-time strategy/adventure game from Left Behind Games based on the best-selling series of novels from Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins will even let down born-again types who expect the Rapture to beam them up to heaven any day now. Nobody has enough faith to endure a game with such a hokey story, terrible mission design, serious problems with the interface and graphics, and loads of crippling bugs.

:0)

[c]

I agree with Zen. The theology in the Left Behind series is seriously flawed. Of course, pacifism is also flawed. ;-)

[Zen]

Pacifism is not flawed. It's just another way to exist.

[c]

Yes, many people exist with logically errant beliefs.

(Wide open for a snarky quip)

[Justin]

I am a Christian and a Pacifist. The LB Games “spam” insinuates that there’s something wrong with this. This is the same thinking that led to the crusades and the inquisition. Doubtless, this is where these people want to lead us again. Through this game they've shown their hand. They are leading us to the Christian equivalent of jihad.

Jesus Christ was the ultimate "Christian Pacifist" - He laid down His life. I'm disturbed that SJR thinks that this is somehow a bad thing.

The hard right has shown its hand. Maybe a Christian jihad is not so far away if a game like this can gain so much traction.