Is it Wednesday already?

I thought this was interesting. There was a big article and report on MSNBC about how Christian video games are trying to break into the mainstream. Fair enough, I suppose.. although my being an athiest notwithstanding, I think they still sound dull, in spite of this ringing endorsement from the one 11-year-old they could find who actually plays them:

Victoria Tolin, for one, wants these kinds of videos. The 11-year-old loves the games, but doesn’t like violence.
“I play a lot of Christian video games,” Tolin said. “They don’t have fights. You just have to follow Jesus and pick up little crosses for points.”

Wow - crosses for points. Yep, they'll be taking down Halo any day now...

But seriously, they mentioned Grand Theft Auto as an example of the 'bad' video games that are out there now. I'm OK with that, I guess... but I thought it was interesting that they decided it was bad because of the hidden sex scene that wasn't even supposed to be released in GTA, rather than... oh the whole premise of the game, which is to steal cars and beat up the cops?

Because sex is way worse than crime... :) Apparently, I'm not alone in my opinion although this lady from the Washington Times seems a lot more upset. I'm just amused, really. But that's probably because I don't have kids... Her commentary is interesting. I don't agree with all of it but it's a pretty good analysis, I thought.

But, I guess my point is that Christian games won't make it big until they unlock the basic secret. Picking up crosses is all very well and good but the fight between good and evil is what the best games are all about! Let's see Apostle Challenge - slay the Romans and get Jesus off the cross before it's too late! Or Sinner Slayer... how many non-Christians can you smite before your time is up?! And for the younger kids, forget this wierd PacMan knock off thing. Let's see Jesus Frogger! No need for logs - he can just run right across the water dodging people who are sinking because they lack faith!

Ok, ok, now maybe the blaspheming Athiest in me is coming out. I better stop before I get smote... smited... smutted...? Hmmm...

Plus, I bet this dude wasn't playing Christian games.

Oh, and speaking of idiots, the crazy dude on the mountain finally got rescued... Hope he's learned his lesson - STAY HOME AND EAT JELLO! Mountain climbing indeed... what are these people thinking...?