Dan King (The Game Boy Geek) & Sam Healey talk about topics involving Christians and Tabletop Gaming while trying to bridge the gap between world views.
Great podcast! I really am looking forward to more of these.
almost twelve years ago
Ryan
One topic I haven't heard discussed is "gambling". If you play a game such as Long Shot, Winner's Circle, Vegas Showdown, or even such as Wits and Wagers or poker, how open are churches when there is "betting" even if there is no actual money changing hands?
almost twelve years ago
Bill
Let's start talking about potential Christ-themed games we could create. We need to design one that excels as a game, and attracts all gamers. The gospel can even be conveyed in a metaphor, copying the style of CS Lewis in Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe. The theme is the trade of the perfect life for the life of a traitor, a resurrection, and a fundamental change in the traitor. How do we make a mechanic for that theme? Should a player take the "sacrificial role", or should the game play the role as a mechanic? Throw around some ideas, and see what sticks.
Let's also start talking about how games can be used as a tool to introduce unbelievers to Christians, to begin dialogue about Christ as friendships are formed.
almost twelve years ago
Clark
Keep up the discussion!!! It seems that "what you can and cannot play" are just variations of "what you can and cannot eat" that Paul addressed in Colossians. The real issue isn't a game with magic and monsters but your walk with the Lord. Unfortunately, Christian society can easily point to wrong "food" or "games" but not easily point to the real issues of lust, gluttony, evil thoughts, etc. These discussions really help think the issues through.
almost twelve years ago
Ian
Interesting podcast, great to hear a new angle.
I wonder why you all seemed to agree that speaking 'incantations' in some unintelligible language was somehow authentic magic that you wanted to avoid, whereas casting spells like special abilities was obviously fiction. The whole incantations thing is obviously a big part of Hollywood culture around magic, but it isn't a good match to the actual practice of the occult. It is as much a fiction as anything else you mentioned. I couldn't quite figure out how you all seemed to just know that particular fiction was real... It might be worth noting that most 'spells' cast by neo-pagans, for example, sound more like the set prayers of the Episcopalians than the Parseltongue of Harry Potter!
Hey ho. I've no pony in the race, so it was just interesting to me. Looking forward to the next one.
almost twelve years ago
John
A few points come to mind listening to this. I find that magic in many cases can be defined as a force of nature like electricity in many of the fantasy settings out there. In that sense it's indistinguishable from science except that it's surround by fantasy elements. This was touched on in your show. Where it gets into "spiritual" magic I can see problems arise but it's difficult to define as such, sort of like pornography, "you know it when you see it".
This speaks to the larger issue of morality in board games. It seems there's a difference between how violence is perceived versus sexuality or magic. All three seem to be nuanced in their own right. No one seems to care when kids re-enact massive battles in which hundred's or thousands of lives are lost. But a game that encourages kids to re-enacting immodest behavior would get an instant reaction as it should. I think the reasons for this are deeply psychological and rooted in "natural law" since many non-Christians would have a problem with this as well. I look forward to your next episode where you'll discuss a lot of these issues.
almost twelve years ago
Aaron Gabrielson
I am one of the developers of Serpent's Tongue, and I am very sensitive to the issues you bring up in this podcast. I am working to remove any occult type, demonic, or Cuthulu themes from the game. I think once you see the actual game it will be much more new age, or metaphysical. I don't want to create a dark or evil game. It should be fun, and thematic, but not devilish. Great podcast.
Aaron Gabrielson
http://www.becomemagi.com
almost twelve years ago
Stephen Griffith
Has anyone ever sat down with you and had a serious discussion on how magick actually works? Learning about the non-christians have experienced and know from their own life experiences?
almost twelve years ago
Adam E
Awesome topic! I've often wondered about gaming magic, but I've never had much of a problem with it myself. My daughter is old enough to game with my wife and me, and I always explain what is real and what is fake. Above all, I let her know that God doesn't want us to practice worshiping false gods and real magic.
almost twelve years ago
Jeremy
I just recently started getting into board gaming and I was wondering about the themes of some games versus Christian beliefs. I used to play many different online role playing games that used magic and such and that rarely bothered me. However, some board games seem to give me the creeps. Games that have heavy hidden imagery and game mechanics that invoke magic, spells, incantations and summoning monsters. I really like the fantasy theme games and tend to pull in that direction, but I also want to be cautious and listen to the Holy Spirit. I guess one great thing board games bring to the table is the social interaction that the online games seem to be missing. Sure there is a form of interaction online, but nothing like being around people and truly conversing. Thanks guys for the Podcast. I think you all handled the subject very well.
almost twelve years ago
Gary Gilliam
I think it's great that you have started doing this. I am a Christian game designer. I have been called to develop board games with a Christian themes and undertones. I am working up pitch to get my latest game on kickstarter. I look forward to hearing more of these messages from you guys. Thanks.
Let's also start talking about how games can be used as a tool to introduce unbelievers to Christians, to begin dialogue about Christ as friendships are formed.
I wonder why you all seemed to agree that speaking 'incantations' in some unintelligible language was somehow authentic magic that you wanted to avoid, whereas casting spells like special abilities was obviously fiction. The whole incantations thing is obviously a big part of Hollywood culture around magic, but it isn't a good match to the actual practice of the occult. It is as much a fiction as anything else you mentioned. I couldn't quite figure out how you all seemed to just know that particular fiction was real... It might be worth noting that most 'spells' cast by neo-pagans, for example, sound more like the set prayers of the Episcopalians than the Parseltongue of Harry Potter!
Hey ho. I've no pony in the race, so it was just interesting to me. Looking forward to the next one.
This speaks to the larger issue of morality in board games. It seems there's a difference between how violence is perceived versus sexuality or magic. All three seem to be nuanced in their own right. No one seems to care when kids re-enact massive battles in which hundred's or thousands of lives are lost. But a game that encourages kids to re-enacting immodest behavior would get an instant reaction as it should. I think the reasons for this are deeply psychological and rooted in "natural law" since many non-Christians would have a problem with this as well. I look forward to your next episode where you'll discuss a lot of these issues.
Aaron Gabrielson
http://www.becomemagi.com