Christ Centered Gamer

We have been developing our own opinion piece news articles lately. The first series is on what we would like to see at E3 2013 for families. Started with the Big Three and hope to get another one on other companies. This is an opinion piece - so its filled with our opinions. You may agree, you may disagree.

February 3, in the year of our Lord 2013 - Microsoft – Microsoft had a wonderful 2012. The Kinect continues to dominate. Full body motion gaming is the industry standard. Everything else is a step behind. Nike+ Kinect Training is the best home exercise method. Sesame Street games as well as others for families made their way to the Xbox 360 in 2012. Families found enough on the Xbox 360 to keep busy, and for all ages to be entertained.

Microsoft needs more of the same in 2013. They need to continue to provide good games for families. They need to keep providing games for children. They need to provide something for the Christian gamers – the most neglected group in all of gaming.

We expect to hear about the next Xbox home console. We hope to hear news of an improved Kinect sensor coming with it. We also hope to hear about all kinds of wonderful new games families can enjoy. This is the path to continued success.

Nintendo – Nintendo dominated for so long with the Wii they started taking families for granted. Mis-steps in 2011 and 2012 have hurt them. Releasing too many re-hash video games has taken its toll on families, as well as the gaming population. The biggest mistake Nintendo made in 2012 was a lack of follow through. Family Friendly Gaming has been a long time supporter of Nintendo since the Gamecube, and Nintendo rewarded that by treating FFG like dirt.

Nintendo needs better follow through in 2013. They need to lower the price of the Wii U. They need to put more games on it that are worth families time. They need a Kinect like sensor if they want to compete with Microsoft. They need some good games on the Nintendo 3DS for families – especially children. The whole seven years and older only issue is hurting that hand held. More cheap apps are needed on the Nintendo 3DS as well. Most of all Nintendo needs to improve their follow through, especially for long time supporters.

We hope to hear about some major improvements to the Wii U. Exercise games on that system are silly compared to what is on the Kinect. We expect to hear about an Animal Crossing on the Wii U. We hope to hear about games families can get excited about. We hope to hear something that Nintendo plans on turning their fortunes around.

Sony – Sony started 2012 out pretty good, but they started to fall apart later in the year. They also had follow through issues late in 2012. They tried a few things for families that unfortunately fell flat on its face. Family Friendly Gaming could have told them certain ideas were not good ones. Hopefully they will seek wiser counsel in 2013. Sony had the best E3 gift.

Sony needs to take families seriously in 2013. They need to provide enough games for families. Throwing a token game here and there is not enough. They need to get some good, clean, and safe games on the PS Vita. That system has potential to dominate the hand held market. Only if Sony publishes a waterfall of family friendly titles.

We expect to hear news on the Playstation 4 at E3 2013. Hopefully Sony will take families seriously and provide for them near launch of the PS4. We hope to hear about numerous family friendly titles on the PS Vita. We hope Sony learns from the Wonderbook mistakes from 2012, and moves forward with something fantastic for families in 2013. Sony needs to improve their follow through issues from late 2012.

We talk quite often here at Family Friendly Gaming about the 80% of Americans who claim to be Christians in polls. How accurate that is – is debatable. What is not debatable is a high percentage of the population is Christian in America. The video game industry has not properly provided for this block of the population. It would be wonderful if there were some Christian games at E3 2013. It would be fantastic to see some games aimed at the Christian audience.

http://www.familyfriendlygaming.com/New ... 02013.html

FamilyFriendlyGaming wrote: They need to provide something for the Christian gamers – the most neglected group in all of gaming.

How about Rastafarian gamers? Or Asatru gamers? Zoroastrian gamers? Juche gamers?

I could keep going and keep myself entertained but what's the bloody point.

and Nintendo rewarded that by treating FFG like dirt.

What happened?

Orodrist,

Let me see if I understand your point. Those that put God first, should start to put others first instead? Is that your point?

Or did you miss the part about it being an opinion piece? Different groups may see themselves as the most neglected. I am guessing aspects of the worldview of the groups you mentioned could be found in some video games out there. It takes a real stretch to find many mainstream video games that reinforce the Christian worldview. Especially when we bring in the percentages of population, and mix it with regionalization and localization.

CCGR,

I will tell you privately.

FamilyFriendlyGaming wrote:CCGR,

I will tell you privately.

Oh tell me too, if you don't mind.

Now I'm curious, too.

emails and PMs taken care of.

I am not sure I worded my first response to Orodrist right. No offense was meant with it.

I'm not sure if the Big Three would listen, though. After all, they're in the business to make money. And for some reason, the big money makers tend to be M-rated games.

But if I recall correctly, other small game companies can now have their products listed on the various game network distribution services for all three consoles, as well as other avenues, such as Steam and (possibly) the OUYA. I think a better approach might be to encourage game developers to produce quality games that meet moral or Christian standards. And we, as game players and consumers, need to do more to support companies that share our values.

This might be a good topic for another thread. Do we know of other companies that are known for their strong Christian values or morally-uplifting products? Such as the now-defunct (sadly) Digital Praise? If there are others, then we should let others know about it. Spread word-of-mouth advertising, as it were, to encourage them to stay in business.

Sstavix wrote:I'm not sure if the Big Three would listen, though. After all, they're in the business to make money. And for some reason, the big money makers tend to be M-rated games.

But if I recall correctly, other small game companies can now have their products listed on the various game network distribution services for all three consoles, as well as other avenues, such as Steam and (possibly) the OUYA. I think a better approach might be to encourage game developers to produce quality games that meet moral or Christian standards. And we, as game players and consumers, need to do more to support companies that share our values.

This might be a good topic for another thread. Do we know of other companies that are known for their strong Christian values or morally-uplifting products? Such as the now-defunct (sadly) Digital Praise? If there are others, then we should let others know about it. Spread word-of-mouth advertising, as it were, to encourage them to stay in business.

I would have to dig it up, but I recall the ECA sending out a report and the majority of sales being for the 'E', 'E10', and 'T' games. There are definitely big name 'M' titles that get massive sales. But they are a lower percentage of the games.

Graceworks Interactive is still around. christian games now has some existing games:
http://www.christiangamesnow.com/index.html

There is also that app company. Soma Games
Here is one of their games:
https://itunes.apple.com/app/g-into-the ... 31862?mt=8

Ooh and Float was another app by a christian game company
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/float/id409855273?mt=8
Float is interesting because it is not trying to preach to people or get them saved. It is a safe game done by a Christian company. Something we have encouraged the Christian developers to do. Get in the door with some fun, clean and safe games.

I really want to see some Christian games on the consoles and hand helds. Crave did LarryBoy games on the PS2 and GBA some years ago. I suspect as much as we pushed it the churches did not support it. The Bible Game was another PS2/GBA game.

Thing is with the hand helds - they are becoming like apps.

I can tell you that Microsoft listened to us, and has been releasing kids games - Sesame Street Kinect. Since they know that works financially we suggested the idea of VeggieTales games to them. Last time I checked 80% of Americans self ID as Christian. Seems like a large enough buying block to target with games.

I may have to keep an eye on those companies. Thanks for sharing!