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JP Catholic News, February 25th, 2010
Evangelization through Video Games
BS in Communications Media: Emphasis - Animation & Gaming
The mission of John Paul the Great Catholic University is to impact culture for Christ. One of the primary ways we accomplish this goal is through the world of entertainment. One aspect of the media that is often overlooked by those wanting to make a difference in society is video games. Yet this industry is as much in need of faithful Christians as any other.
Catholics were reminded of this need on February 9 with the release of Dante’s Inferno. Loosely based on the epic fourteenth century poem, the game follows Dante’s quest through the nine circles of hell to save his beloved Beatrice. At firs glance, it might be tempting to simply shrug one’s shoulders and walk away. After all, how many hellish hack-and-slash video games have been come and gone in the past? But this one is different from its predecessors.
The poem tells of Dante’s journey through hell. He sees how the damned souls are punished, each according to his or her sins. The poem is a deep reflection on the just consequences of sin. So why make a video game based on it? “‘Go to Hell’ is our tagline and it’s sort of tongue-in-cheek,” the game’s executive producer said in and interview with IGN.com, “but it’s representative of that fantasy—you can finally go there to see what people imagined it might be like in the 1300s.” In fighting the demons Dante encounters in hell, the game gives the player power of the demons’ fate. After wearing the demon down, the player can chose to either absolve the demon with a cross or punish it with Death’s Scythe.
Dante’s Inferno is marketing hell—and using one of the greatest pieces of Catholic literature to do it. Even the promotion of the game was offensive. For example, a web site was created for a phony religious game entitled Mass: We Pray. Any visitor to the web site who clicks any of the links receives a pop-up proclaiming the visitor a heretic for attempting to celebrate Mass improperly.
Overall, the game has been well received by the video game community. The only criticisms being made are in regards to the quality of the game play. No one cares about the offensive being given to Christians. JP Catholic thinks it is time to make an impact in the world of video games. At John Paul the Great Catholic University, students will be equipped to create games founded in a truly Catholic worldview.
To request a brochure on our program in Animation & Gaming click here.
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