Religion and video games

The relationship between video games and religion is a multifaceted one. Concepts and elements of contemporary and ancient religions appear in video games in various ways: places of worship are a part of the gameplay of real-time strategy games like Age of Empires; narratively, games sometimes borrow themes from religious traditions like in Mass Effect 2.

As video games are a form of entertainment, the use of religion can be controversial. Opinions on video games differ from religion and denomination; there are religious groups that use games actively to convert people, some games are banned because of religious reasons. Scholars of religious studies are also studying video games, by looking at the game and to the players and their experiences, with games like Journey (2012).

Defining religion and religious elements

Religion has several definitions. Religions that are organized can be seen as cultural systems, with corresponding behavior and practice. They often have sacred texts and holy places. A religious experience however does not necessarily have to be understood through an established religious framework.

Themes and questions about life and death, innocence and guilt and violence are existenial in nature; while they are not immediately understood as "religious", they are about the meaning of life.

Use of religious elements

Video game developers use religious and spiritual themes to further the player into the game.[1] Video game developer Shigeru Miyamoto used to play outside when he was a child. He used his experiences and memories of exploring the forrest and discovering a Buddhist temple in the designs of his video games.[2] Canadian developer BioWare (Mass Effect, Dragon Age) has several encyclopedias on religion, as well as the Book of the Dead in its offices.[3]

The negative portrayal of religions has been criticized.[4]

The use of religious elements are used in two ways: explicit and implicit. They are seen side-by-side in video games and do not exclude each other.[5] Religion in Mass Effect for instance can be understood as an "unseen character".[6]

Explicit narrative references

An explicit reference to a religious or spiritual concept is one that is clear to what it is referring.[5] These can be based upon real-world religions, but also on fictional ones. Stories, motifs and names of characters from religious texts are used as reference points.

Ancient religions

Ancient religions and their deities are used in various ways. The religions portrayed are often no longer practiced, like Ancient Greek religion.[4] In the real-time strategy game Age of Mythology the player has to choose a "major god", which gives certain gameplay benefits.[7] In Prince of Persia the nameless Prince has to fight Ahriman, an evil deity from Zoroastrianism.[8]

Events and places

Real world historical religions and events are used as inspiration for video games. For instance, while Assassin's Creed (2007) is fictional, it is set during the Third Crusade in the Holy Land; the player takes on the role of the Assassin Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad and is involved in the conflict between Catholic Christians, Orthodox Christians, Sunni Muslims and Shi'ite Muslims.[9] While these religions appear, they are portrayed in a "sanitized manner".[10]

Organizations

Religion is often institutionalized, having a certain organisational structure. Most games in the Megami Tensei series involve a religion, or a cult.[11]

Religious violence

In the action role-playing game The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011) a civil war is about to erupt, between the Empire and the Stormcloaks.[12] The Stormcloaks wish to worship Talos, a human ascended to godhood. The Empire suffered a defeat against the powerful Aldmeri Dominion, an alliance of Elves who have made the worship of Talos illegal.[13] It is up to the player to help in the conflict.

Implicit narrative references

The Triforce from The Legend of Zelda series. Based upon the concept of mon, it is a recognizable symbol for the series

The stories of action-adventure and role-playing games often involve world-saving quests. The player, as the protagonist, takes on the role of the hero.[14] The player character is often destined to save the world, which in itself is a prophecy.[15][4]

The Legend of Zelda uses religious elements and motifs like the Triforce.[12][16]

First-person shooter video games asks the player to kill enemies, often violently so. By defeating enemies the player "saves" them.[3]

Video games as a religious medium

Players and developers use games to express their existential and spiritual feelings. Video games as cultural objects can also provide religious and spiritual experiences, like Journey (2012).[17] Developer Jenova Chen said that "I feel that Journey is a very spiritual game. People from around the world ask me if the game has a religious connection. Many religions share an affinity with Journey—this is because many religions partly share a common structure". Chen said Journey is based upon Joseph Campbell's book on comparative mythology The Hero with a Thousand Faces and the "Hero's Journey" narrative structure.[18] Other reviewers were not at ease with the perceived religious elements: "There is a beauty in ceremony, but I often find myself on edge when partaking in any ritualized practice."[19]

After the death of Leonard Nimoy, Star Trek Online added two statues in his honor,[20] and World of Warcraft added a non-player character (NPC) based upon Robin Williams after his death.[21][22] Developer Gearbox Software honored a late fan of Borderlands, cancer victim Michael John Mamaril, by adding a NPC named after him in the sequel. Additionally, Gearbox posted a eulogy to Mamaril in the voice of the game character Claptrap.[23] For their game MechWarrior Online, developer Piranha Games sold a custom in-game unit called a Jenner, honoring the daughter of a player of the game. CAD122,210 was donated to the Canadian Cancer Society.[24] Losing his wife Pauline to ovarian cancer, Minecraft player "GasBandit" built a memorial for her.[25] When players of the online game Final Fantasy XIV heard that fellow gamer "Codex Vahla" was in the hospital on life support, they held a digital wake.[26]

Religious video games

Super 3D Noah's Ark

Some religious groups use video games for education. An example is the Christian game Left Behind: Eternal Forces.

Use of video games in a religious setting

In May 2012, the Exeter Cathedral used Flower during its Sunday service.[27][28]

Controversies

Religion is considered a serious topic, while video games are often seen as entertainment.[10] As such, developers and publishers sometimes take precaution not to offend people's religious beliefs. Religious references in the Japanese role-playing video game series Final Fantasy were originally censored for the U.S. release of the games. It was after the franchise switched to Sony's PlayStation with Final Fantasy VII (1997) that the religious references are left largely in tact.[29] Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed series show a disclaimer:

"Inspired by historical events and characters. This work of fiction was designed, developed and produced by a multicultural team of various religious faiths and beliefs."[10][lower-alpha 1]

Despite efforts from some companies, there have been incidents with religious groups and video games. Considered "blasphemous", the German video game rating board USK gave The Binding of Isaac a 16+ rating.[30]

Christianity

The game BioShock Infinite is heavily based the notion American exceptionalism at the turn of the 19th Century, and incorporated somewhat skewed notions taken from Christianity to support the game's dystopian themes. One aspect of this was the use of baptism. One developer on Irrational Games staff expressed strong concern to the lead developer, Ken Levine, that the game's presentation of baptism was highly controversial, leading Levine to with the developer to recast the baptism aspect as a notion of forgiveness rather than a religion tenet.[31][32][33] At least one player objected to the final changes, prompting them to request a refund from Steam.[34] The scene was otherwise well-received by critics as less a commentary on Christianity but on as a representation of themes such as free will, evil, rebirth and redemption that were central to the game.[35][36][37][38][39]

Hinduism

On October 22, 2008, Microsoft announced that Fallout 3 would not be released in India on the Xbox 360 platform.[40] Religious and cultural sentiments were cited as the reason.[41] Although the specific reason was not revealed in public, it is possible that it is because the game contains two-headed mutated cows called Brahmin, or that Brahmin is also the name of an ancient, powerful hereditary caste of Hindu priests and religious scholars in India, or its similarity to the spelling of brahman, a type of cow that originated in India. Brahman, a breed of Zebu, are revered by Hindus.[42]

The action game Hanuman: Boy Warrior was criticized for portraying the Hindu deity Hanuman by Rajan Zed, president of the Universal Society of Hinduism. Developed and published in India by Aurona Technologies, the player controls Hanuman. "Controlling and manipulating Lord Hanuman with a joystick/ button/keyboard/mouse [is] denigration", said Zed. "Lord Hanuman was not meant to be reduced to just a 'character' in a video game to solidify [a] company/product's base in the growing economy of India." He urged Sony, the publisher of the game, to pull the game. Sony's regional manager however said that Hanuman: Boy Warrior sold beyond their expectations.[43][44] http://gamepolitics.com/2009/04/17/hindus-protest-ps2-game-released-india/

Zed was also critical of the use of Hindu deities in the MOBA game Smite. In response, developer Hi-Rez Studios COO Todd Harris said that Smite would still be featuring Hindu deities, possibly adding more. GameSpot asked if characters based upon Abrahamic religions would be added as well, but Harris said that "the key Abrahimic figures—Adam, Noah, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed, are not that interesting in character design or gameplay".[45]

Islam

LittleBigPlanet (2008) had a last-minute delay involving a licensed song in the game's soundtrack,[46] after a PlayStation Community member reported the lyrics to one of the licensed songs in the game included passages from the Qur'an and could therefore be offensive to Muslims. However, no actual complaints regarding the music were made.[47] The song, entitled "Tapha Niang", was by Malian artist Toumani Diabaté, himself a devout Muslim.[48][49] The game was patched twice, the day before its release for players who had received the game early, before its intended release date. The first update did not affect the song,[50][51] whilst the second updated the game to remove the vocals from the track, leaving only an instrumental.[52] Some American Muslims responded to the recall and stated that they were offended by the restriction of freedom of speech. M. Zuhdi Jasser M.D., head of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy, was quoted as saying, "Muslims cannot benefit from freedom of expression and religion and then turn around and ask that anytime their sensibilities are offended that the freedom of others be restricted."[53]

The fighting game Injustice: Gods Among Us, was temporarily banned in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.[54][55] Originally, the title of the game was rebranded as Injustice: The Mighty Among Us for promotional uses in those areas.[54] It is speculated that Injustice was banned because of the inclusion of the word 'Gods' in the title, the cleavage exposed in the outfits of some female characters, and overall bloodiness.[54] Eventually, the ban in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait was lifted.[54]

Sikhism

Hitman 2: Silent Assassin (2002) sparked controversy due to a level featuring the killing of Sikhs within a depiction of their most holy site, the Harmandir Sahib, where hundreds of Sikhs were massacred in 1984.[56] An altered version of Silent Assassin was eventually released with the related material removed from the game.

Religion and violence

A study released by the University of Missouri stated that video games often emphasize the violent aspects of religion.[57] Researcher Greg Perreault said "It doesn't appear that game developers are trying to purposefully bash organized religion in these games, I believe they are only using religion to create stimulating plot points in their story lines".[58]

Games as focus of religious studies

Main article: Game studies

For many years video games were seen as mere entertainment, a form of "low culture".[59] Playing video games was seen as a form of escapism[60] and the medium was not regarded as a valid object of scientific research. To "play" games as a scholarly pursuit was thought of as "ludicrous".[61] It has only been in recent years that video games have become the object of scientific study.[62] Looking at the game as an object, researchers can explore religious and spiritual references. Video game research is done in two ways; the game can be studied as an object, while actor-focused research looks at the player.

Game-immanent approach

Video games, as products of human culture, can be seen and read as "texts". They carry myths, stories and symbols of the time in which they were created.[63] By "reading" video games, philosophers, sociologists and theologists have the opportunity to study the religious and spiritual themes in video games.[64] This can be done in several ways.

Player-focused approach

Video games are interactive; it requires input from the player to happen. While a video game developer designs the game, including its rules and story, it is up to the player to make the game "happen";[66] the game has to be played to be experienced.[63] As such, it is up to individual player to give meaning to their experience.[67]

Video games allow the player to think, form and possibly change their own opinion about religious and spiritual matters.[6] Players often discuss these elements on online platforms. For instance, some players made their own version of the player character Commander Shepard of the Mass Effect an atheist, while others thought of them[lower-alpha 2] as a Christian.[68] As such, video games also give new meaning to the concept of religion.[12]

See also

References

Notes
  1. ↑ In Assassin's Creed: Syndicate, the words "sexual orientations and gender identities" were added.
  2. ↑ Commander Shepard can be female or male.
Footnotes
  1. ↑ Testa, Alessandro. "Religion(s) in Videogames Historical and Anthropological Observations". Online - Heidelberg Journal of Religions on the Internet 05 (Religion in Digital Games. Multiperspective and Interdisciplinary Approaches): 249–276. doi:10.11588/rel.2014.0.12170. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
  2. ↑ Paumgarten, Nick (2010-12-20). "Master of Play". The New Yorker. Retrieved 2016-03-07.
  3. 1 2 Bissell, Tom (2010). Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter. Pantheon Books. p. 120. ISBN 978-0-307-37870-5.
  4. 1 2 3 Almogi, Gil (2014-01-30). "Video Game Religions (or Lack Thereof)". Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  5. 1 2 Clark, Terry Ray; Clanton, Dan W. (2012). Understanding Religion and Popular Culture: Theories, Themes, Products and Practices. Routledge. p. 130. ISBN 9780415781060.
  6. 1 2 Irizarry, J.A. en Irizarry, I.T. The Lord is My Shepard: Confronting Religion in the Mass Effect Trilogy. In Heidbrink, S. en Knoll, T. (ed.) Religion in Digital Games. Multiperspective & Interdisciplinary Approaches. Volume 05 (2014)
  7. ↑ "Age of Mythology: Extended Edition review". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. 9 May 2014.
  8. ↑ Crecente, B. (2008). "Prince of Persia Ditches Roots, Gets a Final Fantasy Make-Over,". Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  9. ↑ LeJacq, Y. (2014). "Assassin's Creed Can Actually Teach You A Thing Or Two". Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  10. 1 2 3 Good, Owen (2010-04-04). "Religion in Games: Less a Leap of Faith, More a Suspension of Belief". Kotaku. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  11. ↑ Hernandez, Patricia. "The Rules of Religion, and Why The Next One Just Might Be a Game". Kotaku. Gawker Media.
  12. 1 2 3 Thames, R. C. Religion as a Resource in Digital Games. In Heidbrink, S. en Knoll, T. (ed.) Religion in Digital Games. Multiperspective & Interdisciplinary Approaches. Volume 05 (2014)
  13. ↑ Boyd, Matt. "What happened between Oblivion and Skyrim? Here's a brief history". GamesRadar.
  14. ↑ McGonigal, J. Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better (2011). Maven Publishing, Amsterdam. Page 13
  15. ↑ Slater, A. Prophecy, Pre-destination, and Free-from Gameplay The Nerevarine Prophecy in Bethesda's 'Morrowind'. In Heidbrink, S., Knoll, T. and Wysocki, J. (ed.) Religion in Digital Games Reloaded. Immersion into the Field. Volume 07 (2015)
  16. ↑ Cuddy, L. (ed.) The Legend of Zelda and Philosophy (2008). Open Court, Chicago. Page 196
  17. ↑ "It’s time we consider video games as ‘experiences,’ not mere products". VentureBeat.
  18. ↑ "Religion, friendship, and emotion: A Journey post-mortem". GameSpot. CBS Interactive.
  19. ↑ "'Journey' As Ritual". PopMatters.
  20. ↑ Karmali, Luke (6 March 2015). "Leonard Nimoy Memorials Added to Star Trek Online". IGN. Ziff Davis.
  21. ↑ Witmer, David (12 August 2014). "Robin Williams to Be Memorialized in WoW". IGN. Ziff Davis.
  22. ↑ Hernandez, Patricia. "Apparent Robin Williams Models Found In World Of Warcraft". Kotaku. Gawker Media.
  23. ↑ Ponce, Tony (November 4, 2011). "Gearbox to honor late fan as an NPC in Borderlands 2". Destructoid.
  24. ↑ "Online gamers donate $122,210 in memory of 5-year-old". CBC.ca. 23 August 2013.
  25. ↑ "5 Touching Memorials In Video Games". Cinema Blend. Gateway Media.
  26. ↑ Fahey, M. "FFXIV Community Holds Massive Vigil For A Dying Player" (2014), Retrieved 14 september 2015 on http://kotaku.com/ffxiv-community-holds-massive-vigil-for-a-dying-player-1673823454
  27. ↑ Narcisse, E. (2012) A PlayStation 3 Game Will Be Part of a Church Service This Sunday, Retrieved 15 september 2015 on http://kotaku.com/5909361/this-sunday-video-games-go-to-church
  28. ↑ Webster, Andrew (9 May 2012). "UK cathedral to use 'Flower' video game as part of upcoming service". The Verge. Vox Media.
  29. ↑ Ong, A. The Religions Behind Final Fantasy. History of Computer Game Design: Technology, Culture, and Business March 22, 2001
  30. ↑ McMillen, Edmund (November 28, 2012). "Postmortem: McMillen and Himsl's The Binding of Isaac". Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  31. ↑ Hurley, Leon (January 18, 2013). "Bioshock Infinite altered after "conversations with religious people on the team" says Levine". PlayStation Official Magazine (UK). Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  32. ↑ Makuch, Eddie (February 28, 2013). "BioShock Infinite's religious themes led dev to consider quitting". GameSpot. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  33. ↑ Petitte, Omri (March 1, 2013). "BioShock Infinite artist almost resigned over game's depiction of religion". PC Gamer. Retrieved March 2, 2013.
  34. ↑ Hernandez, Patricia (April 16, 2013). "Some Don't Like BioShock's Forced Baptism. Enough To Ask For A Refund". Kotaku. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  35. ↑ PC Gamer (April 5, 2013). "BioShock Infinite's ending explained, and what we think about it". PC Gamer. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  36. ↑ Miller, Matt (April 9, 2013). "Free Will And Hope In BioShock Infinite". Game Informer. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  37. ↑ Tan, Nicholas (April 9, 2013). "Dies, Died, Will Die: An Analysis of BioShock Infinite". Game Revolution. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  38. ↑ Gamespot Staff (April 21, 2013). "BioShock Infinite: Baptism of the Human Heart". GameSpot. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  39. ↑ Barber, Andrew (April 11, 2013). "What 'Bioshock Infinite' Gets Right". Relevant. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  40. ↑ Fahey, Mike (2008-10-22). "Fallout 3 Not Coming To India". Kotaku. Retrieved 2010-04-20.
  41. ↑ Lee, Jason (2008-10-22). "Fallout 3 withheld from India". Games Industry. Retrieved 2009-12-01.
  42. ↑ Haas, Pete (2008-10-22). "Are Brahmin The Reason For Fallout 3's Cancellation in India?". Gaming Blend. Retrieved 2011-09-04.
  43. ↑ Alexander, Leigh (2009-04-20). "Hindu Statesman Criticizes Sony's Hanuman: Boy Warrior". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  44. ↑ Good, Owen (2009-04-18). "India's First Game Gets India's First Game Controversy". Kotaku. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  45. ↑ Connor Sheridan on June 29, 2012, http://www.gamespot.com/articles/deity-based-moba-smite-will-not-use-jewish-christian-islamic-figures/1100-6384974/
  46. ↑ Three Speech (17 October 2008). "LittleBigPlanet – SCEE's official statement". Retrieved 17 October 2008.
  47. ↑ yasser (solid08) (16 October 2008). "very urgent about little big planet lbp". Archived from the original on 1 June 2014.
  48. ↑ Farivar, Cyrus (20 October 2008). "Sony recalls LittleBigPlanet over Quran quote in music". Machinist: Salon.com. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  49. ↑ Denselow, Robin (21 February 2008). "The generation game – Music – The Guardian". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 20 October 2008.
  50. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (23 October 2008). "LBP 1.01 patch doesn't update song". Eurogamer. Retrieved 23 October 2008.
  51. ↑ Grant, Christopher (23 October 2008). "LittleBigPlanet 1.01 patch adds costumes, leaves music". Joystiq. Retrieved 4 November 2008.
  52. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (23 October 2008). "LBP 1.02 patch sorts out dodgy song News". Eurogamer. Retrieved 23 October 2008.
  53. ↑ Graft, Kris (20 October 2008). "Muslim Group Condemns LBP "Censorship"". Edge Online. Archived from the original on June 6, 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2008.
  54. 1 2 3 4 Fakhruddin, Mufaddal (2013-04-29). "Injustice: Gods Among Us Banned in UAE, Kuwait". IGN Middle East. Retrieved 2013-05-08.
  55. ↑ Hanif, Nadeem (2013-04-30). "'Injustice: Gods Among Us' video game not available in UAE". The National. Retrieved 2013-05-08.
  56. ↑ "Young Sikhs force changes to Hitman 2". CBBC. 21 November 2002. Retrieved 28 January 2008.
  57. ↑ Schreier, Jason. "Study Says Video Games Have 'Problematized' View of Religion". Kotaku. Gawker Media.
  58. ↑ "Video Games Depict Religion as Violent, Problematized, MU Study Shows". MU News Bureau.
  59. ↑ Mäyrä, F. An Introduction to Game Studies (2008). SAGE Publications. Page 30
  60. ↑ Cuddy, L. (ed.) The Legend of Zelda and Philosophy (2008). Open Court, Chicago. Page 58
  61. ↑ "Here Be Dragons: the quest for academic credibility". The Critical Religion Association.
  62. ↑ Newman, J. Videogames (2012). Routledge. Page 10
  63. 1 2 Campbell, H. (ed.). Digital Religion: Understanding Religious Practice in New Media Worlds (2012). Rutledge. Page 145
  64. ↑ Campbell, H. A. en Grieve, G. P. Studying Religion in Digital Gaming. A Critical Review of an Emerging Field. In Heidbrink, S. en Knoll, T. (ed.) Religion in Digital Games. Multiperspective & Interdisciplinary Approaches. Volume 05 (2014)
  65. ↑ Espen Aarseth
  66. ↑ Cuddy, Luke, ed. (2008). The Legend of Zelda and Philosophy: I Link Therefore I Am. Chicago: Open Court. p. 119.
  67. ↑ Newman, James (2012). Videogames. Routledge. p. 14.
  68. ↑ Knoll, T. "Are Those the Only Two Solutions?" In Heidbrink, S., Knoll, T. Wysocki, J. (ed.) Religion in Digital Games Reloaded. Immersion into the Field. Volume 07 (2015)
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