Ultimate Online Game?

Part of being in a group called "Christian Gamers Online" is that you have a license to discuss computer games! We have certainly been doing this in the past few months as new releases have become available. But most of what we have been doing is just reacting to what the market has brought. Wouldn't it be great if we could craft an "ultimate game?"

The first thing our ultimate game would have is an easy to use game administration program; one that makes it easy to communicate with the players and limit foul language and player names. This is a must-have for any group wishing to maximize fellowship while also creating a family-friendly playing environment.

Another priority would have to be that the game be fun! What's fun? Well, if the popularity of COD4, Battlefield, and other FPS games is any indication, we're talking about a team-based battle game. Some of these are more complicated than others; and some have more complex team strategy methods, but I think the success of COD4 would allow us to point to that combination of ease of use and complexity as a good example. Just like COD4, our ultimate game would need to have a variety of maps and gamestyles to keep things from getting monotonous. Of course, the ultimate way to ensure this is to allow fans of the game to create "mods" of maps, player kits, and gamestyles. Think of it, one day you could be playing on a map of a modern day city with a modern combat kit, and the next you could play in ancient Europe dressed in chain mail and iron weapons! Yeah, the gamer in you is interested now, right?

Well, what else should be part of an "Ultimate Game?" What am I missing?

"Finishing Well" and Chasing Rabbits

Update on this book. Recall that this book is about maximizing your life experience when it comes to the "second half" of life. As author Bob Buford explains early in the book, many of us spend our first half of life like we are "chasing rabbits." Think Greyhounds on the race track. He relates a story of how the mechanical rabbit broke down in one race, and the dogs were able to do something they hadn't done before - they caught the rabbit! Buford writes, "But they didn't know what to do with it. They were just leaping around, yelping, biting each other, totally confused about what was happening." The same thing can happen to us when we finally catch the "rabbit" in our lives - whether that is fame, wealth, the bigger house - whatever it was that we have been working so hard to achieve. The trick, Buford writes, is to find a "rabbit" for our lives that won't break down; one that will sustain us in our second half of life.

What kind of rabbit should we be chasing? Just as is taught in Mens Fraternity (http://www.mensfraternity.com/), Buford tells us that we need to find a cause that transcends our own life. Find something bigger than yourself. There is a clear connection here to the eternal reward of eternal life. Is our scope of view and purpose limited to what happens while we live our present days? Or do we care about something much bigger? The rabbit we must chase must outlive our time here on earth. It has to be something that we can see has an implication on another life with an inexhaustible future.

"Finishing Well" is going to give us sixty examples of the real life "uncatchable rabbits," the causes and purposes of people who've had success, but then set out to pursue something more meaningful and lasting.

"Politeness Costs Nothing"

I came across this phrase today while I was reading online. A person defined this phrase as follows: "Politeness costs nothing" means that any person can be polite and friendly without having to pay money for it. Wouldn't you agree with that? It's such a simple concept that I'm amazed that it is ignored so often, especially in the world of online discussion forums. The "best" of us are guilty at times too. Whether our motivations are pride or arrogance, or we simply fall back on rudeness that is covered by the anonymous nature of the internet, there is really no good excuse for being impolite.

Well if politeness costs nothing, is there an expense associated with rudeness? I would hope the plain answer is a resounding "yes." There is a saying that nobody remembers the good things you do, but everyone will remember the bad. This is true in sports, relationships, and in our participation in online discussion forums. Discussion forums on the internet seem to be the perfect setting for misstatements and misinterpretation of meanings of what we type. A lazy sentence or two, or an imprecise attempt at written sarcasm in a discussion forum can quickly lead to misimpressions and hurt feelings. The lack of intonation in written communication often leads to defensiveness and escalation written jabs. Before you know it, the original topic has been forgotten and a battle of "who's the best/smartest/quickest/etc." is on.

The price of politeness is nothing. The cost of rudeness, or even just imprecision in our communication, can be great and lasting.

Battlefield Bad Company 2

This game was released by Electronic Arts, Inc. a couple of weeks ago. Many of our CGO members now own it, including me. It's rated "M" for mature, and the primary point of contention about this game has been the foul language. In addition to creative and frequent use of the dreaded "f-word," this game has apparently also gone as far as to take the Lord's name in vain. Well, that last one is a Ten Commandment issue, and thus, is a really big deal. I've read on several online forums how anybody bringing up the language issue is usually electronically beaten down by other posters who point out such things as (in no particular order of popularity): 1) Foul language is common in "real" war and if you're going to play a war game you have to get used to it; 2) If you don't like it then don't play the game; and, the less imaginative, 3) "F&*@ You!" It's a rough crowd in the online forum world sometimes.

My issue with the Battlefield Bad Company 2 game is not with those who want to insult the players who chastize us for complaining about the bad language. Rather my issue is to ask the question, "Why alienate such a big part of the market for the game?" I and thousands, if not millions, of other gamers got my start on great games such as "Battlefield 1942" and "Battlefield 2;" which were rated "T" for mild language and violence. "Battlefield 2" in particular was by all accounts a huge sales success. It could even be argued that Christian Gamers Online might not even be around but for BF2. So one has to wonder why Electronic Arts felt it necessary to put out BFBC2 with the "M" rating when it had so much success with the "T" rating in BF2? Tossing everything else aside, from a business standpoint it just seems simple that BFBC2 would have appealed to a broader market with a "T" rating. Objectively, the market numbers go down when retailers such as GameStop have policies barring sales of "M" games to minors.

Perhaps I'm wrong in my assumptions on market share and sales forecasts. Surely, EA has complex market reports and studies on this very subject. Maybe there are subjective factors they consider as well? Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 was released a month or two before BFBC2, and it is laced with foul language as well. Perhaps the "industry" is now including "M" ratings and/or fowl language as requirements in this level of FPS games? Or....could it might just be that the gaming industry has missed the mark when it comes to judging what the market wants when it comes to the language in games? Perhaps these recent releases are just now having the impact on the consumers (i.e. - the players and parents and kids of the players) that will cause us to take a longer pause before buying the next "big game?"

More to come: The Game's Out Now - Solutions?

Power of Prayer

We have a "Prayer and Praise" forum on our website that people will post concerns or praises on all the time. I'm always amazed at how many responses come from all these different people, most of whom don't know each other. Does the prayer work? Sure does. Prayer is communicating with God, and it works when we truly take our concerns and praises to Him. Recently, our group faced some challenges to our operation, and we considered our options in how to handle the challenges. When no easy answer came, we collectively decided to take time out and seek guidance through prayer. The solution to our challenge soon stood out clearly and the challenge is now behind us. What did God do? He certainly listened. He gave us a feeling of assurance. And just perhaps he helped us open our eyes to more clearly see our situation in such a way that we could also plainly see its solution. Perhaps that is what prayer does for us best: It helps us "get quiet" and more fully open our eyes and ears. Maybe prayer is a gift from God that allows us to focus on what matters; to help filter out the distractions of our lives and consider those things that are Godly and inspirational?

Finishing Well?

I've participated in Men's Fraternity programs for the past three years (http://www.mensfraternity.com/). In the last session, Robert Lewis recommended a book entitled, "Finishing Well, (What People Who REALLY Live Do Differently)," by Bob Buford. The book is a collection of interviews with "individuals for whom age 40 and beyond has been an opportunty to further their significance rather to rest on their success." I intend to read the book over the next week and gain some insight on what patterns can been seen in how successfull people handle the second half of their time here on earth. The book jacket already gives some hints: "If people see their best years behind them, they're probably not going to finish very well," and "We can retire from our jobs but we can never retire from our calling."

What I'm anticipating to learn from this book is something I already practice; that you shouldn't define your life just by what you do for your work. Sure that's a part of it, but there has to be something more; there has to be a central theme in your life that represents greater ideas and a greater cause than your own self-interest. I'm looking forward to reading how 60 other folks describe this in their lives.....

Christian Fellowship in a Gamer's World

It's important for Christians to have fellowship with one another. Christian Gamers Online offers a unique ministry on the internet, where anyone, whether you're a gamer or not, can come and discuss any aspect of faith, biblical questions, or seek prayer. One of the ways we do this is to have regular online Bible studies, prayer nights, and general daily fellowship on our Ventrilo server.

CGO is not a replacement for anyone's parents. Our advice for young people is to always honor your parents by involving them in your life. This includes telling them what you're doing online or letting them know about your gaming. We have had many people tell us that they appreciate the fact the CGO sponsors a gaming environment that monitors the gaming and offers a positive atmosphere. Video Game Ratings often note that online experiences may change. This is very true. Many online gaming areas have no restrictions on profanity, for example. However, CGO strives to limit the negative player conduct that can come with online gaming. CGO sponsors online servers, where we attempt to provide an atmosphere free from profanity, etc. Our gaming servers have scrolling messages about Jesus, selected Biblical scriptures, invitations to join our Bible Study,etc.

So, can Christians share in fellowship while playing a computer game? Sure thing.

Gaming For God?

Christian Gamers Online, Inc. (www.ChristianGamers.Net) is a unique online ministry where people interested in gaming can come and discuss the games, and also get some exposure to the Word of God. Since December 26, 2004, www.ChristianGamers.Net has had millions of visits. Visitors to the website are encouraged to participate in our forum area which has topics such as "Prayer and Praises," Biblical Questions, Religious Discussion, and many gaming-related topics.

Christian Gamers Online, Inc. seeks to sow the seeds of faith in a wide range of people, from any and all geographic areas. We're not a church; and we encourage everyone to become involved in a local church and local Christian community. Hopefully, these seeds of faith blossom, and the word of Salvation through Jesus Christ is spread.