The Christian Approach to Video Games - God and Gaming Episode One

Dive into the world of video games with Fr. Blake Britton and Bobby Angel as they discuss the Catholic approach to this wide and traditionally nonreligious field.
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[@douglascummins4213]

Gaming is a big part of the culture. It makes absolute sense for Catholics to look for the seeds of the word there! So exciting!

[@Michael_Morehead]

Selah

[@matthewfranz6649]

thank you my prince

[@christianmaestas4435]

Seeds of the word indeed! The people making these games in the west at least are made by people in a Christian civilization. Christianity seeps in. And even in the worst of our culture, take our bizarre dating shows and nihilistic content, you can see what the culture is crying out for. It doesn’t know how to get it but the desire for truth love and beauty is there.

[@br.didacusgottsackerfbp2470]

I am a cradle Catholic who has grown up playing video games since I was three years old. I am now 30. Just as with any books or movies, my mom was careful in observing what games I was playing, always encouraging us to play things that were more wholesome and less violent (for example, we had a game called "Bible Adventures" for the NES). She made sure we avoided any content that exposed us to improper forms of black magic, though she read Harry Potter to us while skipping specific chapters (I didn't know about Professor Trelawney until the movie for Prisoner of Azkaban came out). When I began discerning Franciscan life, I felt it was going to be a supreme challenge for me to detach and give up video games completely (it even said we couldn't play them in the application). For two years I fasted, but I missed the connection I had with others and struggled to find other ways to fill my life. I think it was incredibly good for me to go on that fast because I explored new interests that I had always wanted to do like play piano and violin, play tennis, ride horses, snowboard, study foreign languages and read and write (all of which I still currently do). However, video games were the ONE WAY I cared to just relax, unwind, and enjoy myself by solving puzzles, jumping across platforms, engaging with friends and fighting tough enemies... activities which I deem necessary for human and spiritual development. Unfortunately, during those two years I put so much stress on detachment that it actually became spiritually unhealthy. Nevertheless, had I not taken the effort, who knows if my life would have been ordered as correctly as it is now. I am pleased to say that I still play games, thanks be to the graciousness and understanding of our Community Servant. Most of my friends from college play together with me to this day. They are fallen away Christians, atheists, and one is a practicing Hindu. I am not saying that games should be a substitute for authentic Christian connection by any means, but I do feel as though without them, it would have been a lot harder to find ways to connect with people from such different backgrounds. We have had some very personal and intimate conversations, and I have even shared things about the lives of the saints with the Hindu (who is one of my best friends) openly. Video games are a great ice breaker and something that many people can enjoy. When I saw other Brothers playing board games and Chess online, I wondered, "What's the difference between what they're doing and what I enjoy?" -- The effect is "virtually" the same. Any games can help break down barriers and even allow us to evangelize when some of these people from other backgrounds might otherwise not care to be or flat out reject our beliefs as Catholics and Christians. While in college, I was occasionally advised not to do certain activities in a gaming club because it would be too scandalous for a Christian. Though, I am grateful to have been present (in the club, not for the scandalous activities) because there may not have been anyone to witness to them at all, however little or much that influence extended to them. Overall, I am grateful for the grace and the work God has done in my life as a Religious Brother who loves to play video games. I have found that His grace has allowed me to overcome my addiction from the past and has put things in the right order (sort of like a food pyramid, only for the spiritual life). In many ways, I feel I have made progress in becoming greatly detached without "ripping out the cord." Convincing myself that it's okay to have some sweets in the midst of the contemplative life has helped bring a sense of balance to my spirituality, and I thank my spiritual director and devoutly orthodox priests for advising me not to try to become like saints whose lives are otherwise described as totally panegyric. I ask you all to pray for me that I may have more confidence in my vocation. If it's God's will, I will take Final Vows this October. This past year, I was beginning to wonder if I could actually live the life authentically with seemingly "one foot in" and "one foot out." I do not wish to be lukewarm. I want my heart to be on fire for Jesus Christ, to belong to Him in heart, mind, body and soul above all else. I do not consider my passion to be displaced (especially as I strive to play games that are communal and family friendly), though I know very easily it's a fine line before it can become gravely disordered, in which case I would have to "pluck out my eye." I ask you all to pray for me as I continue to achieve this balance and not feel guilty about my interest in video games. May we all receive the graces given to us by Our Lord through the Blessed Mother. Thank you!

[@maestrovichozo6586]

I do not have words that I can capture in this document, I consider that you write too much, but I consider that what you wrote is essential, it could not be summarized more. I am shocked with your writing, I am a doctor, and although an atheist, I have the damn gigantic attraction for the consecrated life, but I am still in love with this world, and although I try to follow a more Christian path and discipline, my heart still desires power. Race for me, to be more lucid... ATTE: Dr. Ramos López

[@br.didacusgottsackerfbp2470]

@@maestrovichozo6586 Thank you for your honesty! I am grateful that as longwinded as my text is, it still could proffer some value to people who read it. Although I have spent all of my life as a Catholic, there were periods in my life spent exploring other Religions or ideas, which admittedly helped me come back to understanding why I chose to remain a Catholic. The balance between engaging with material and spiritual goods can often be a challenge, so please do not feel too discouraged. Even (and at times especially) Religious struggle with this same thing. I am praying that as an atheist you will be able to find some way to move closer towards detachment. For a lot of people, the notion of belief in God is an intimidating step, but many still see the spiritual value in "unplugging" from the screens by going out into the woods or recreating and finding interior peace away from the chaos and the noise. I hope that one day you can discover this experience if you haven't already and that it brings you great happiness. Thanks for sharing and best wishes!

[@viscomfa]

As a non-gamer, with gaming grandkids, I found this discussion quite informative, I believe the series could be valuable to anyone raising children.

[@outtaplace1698]

As an atheist and a gamer, this was a cool discussion. I'm glad you're talking about the worth of games in society, and how beautiful they can be. Christians embracing modern culture is a great thing!

[@blakeb2344]

Thank you so much! I agree with you. I believe this is a conversation that needs to happen more widely across religious and philosophical boundaries. Please let us know what you think about the other episodes. Love getting feedback from people of all religious or non-religious affiliations. -Fr. Blake

[@outtaplace1698]

@@blakeb2344 I'll be following along, will do 🤙

[@AndrewThomas-nd7ez]

“You are created to be a Saint, and Jesus Christ loves you”

[@AndrewEngesser]

I don't comment often so feel special :P :) Seriously though, I'm excited for this small spot light on gaming. Myself and my brothers have been trying to get an LLC off the ground specifically focused on video gaming with a Catholic core and it is very challenging. These types of shows/dialogs help men and women like myself who believe that the lack of Godliness in the gaming industry is directly correlated with the lack of God's children's engagement. Jesus is the King of the universe which includes video games!!! Can't wait to watch more of this :) God bless

[@coreenkoenig3143]

Recently played a free game with famiy. Ok....it was offered on TV. Needed their patience as I did what I could to join in. I was interested in the choices offered for answers. I Didn't like a ciborium and chalice lined up with a few other vessels. Another group of answers included the term "orgy" and another "grandma 's cookies". Just wondering to myself...no. opportunity to dscuss.... Was that use of terms a "soft" stab at Chritian belief, the elderly, and purity/chasrity? Gone with the Wind's use of "damn" encouraged an expansion of undesirable language in the movies. Clothing styles ??...from over dresssed to undressd.

[@blakeb2344]

Thank you Andrew! Great to hear from you man. God bless! -Fr. Blake

[@holyfamilypolandohiomusica9103]

I am a faithful follower of WoF. I do want to mention that virtues of supporting and being part of a community, saving others, and bonding with others have been wonderfully demonstrated by women - Catholic women and saints - throughout the ages. Let's not forget that by referring to them as 'masculine'.

[@tomershahrabani129]

Speaking as a Catholic man who enjoys video games, and as a teacher, this is so refreshing to hear. These conversations will have an enormous impact on the youth.

[@lausdomini7478]

Fr. Blake seems like the priest I imagined myself becoming when thinking about a possible call to the priesthood as a teenage gamer twenty years ago.

[@Giraffasaur]

Hey there, Community Ambassador and Game Design Consultant here: I absolutely LOVE what you're doing with this and am thankful you're taking this dive. I see you are taking the approach from the gamer side, but I hope you explore the developer side as well! I work on a development team, and while I'm one of the only Catholics (let alone Christians), there are a lot of Godly works being accomplished all around with our attention to world-building and character progression. After all, many developers reveal their Godly graces and blessing through their work, even if they don't realize it. I'm looking forward to see what ground you cover with this new series to help crack open one of the largest untapped markets to level up the faith. Don't stop being awesome!

[@Calayna1]

Yess I hope they address this in depth too!

[@enriqueklein5458]

Fellow Game Developer and Game Dev teacher here (also Catholic), I also second the exploration of the developer side and what can we do to aid in the evangelization through beauty in our work. How much of it should be done allegorically like Tolkien or more overtly Christian-like like Lewis when it comes to fantasy worlds inspired by the faith? Is there a better way?

[@nicdubonnet]

Fantastic first video. 33 years old with a wife and kids and I try to balance duty and responsibilities with my love of gaming. So happy to see gaming addressed from a Catholic perspective!

[@Handydandee]

Duty and Call of Duty

[@JoyfulsArcade]

Love this show so far. I'm a born-Catholic on my way back to the church, and I've been in the game industry for a few years (we run and operate a small indie game company - released a title on the Switch, we even exhibited at E3!), I'd love to help and contribute if/however possible. God bless yinz and keep it up!

[@peterdudasko6313]

What game did yall release?

[@JoyfulsArcade]

@@peterdudasko6313 Greetings! Our first release was a new take on Picross, called Depixtion. We're currently working on a low-fi-styled detective horror adventure game based on the #Loveland Frog. E3 was a crazy adventure for us. We got to meet and talk to people like Tim Schafer (Lucas Arts, Monkey Island, and now Doublefine) since we were placed right next to the Double-Fine exhibit.

[@krisaroal]

@@JoyfulsArcade that's nice! Have you tried to work in a game that could bring the Catholic escence and virtue to many people? That's a great challenge and would be superb, I have been trying to start a related project or even dedicate to that instead of working for some It support company (hopefully someday) . you already have a Studio, skills and some experience, it might be worth for you guys to explore some options around this topic and work on that mentioned gap between gaming and Christianity. 😎

[@JoyfulsArcade]

@@krisaroal - that is a dream of mine friend! I'm the only practicing Christian (I'm on my reverting back to the Catholic church and headed home, Amen!) on my team... but I will say the skills and experience will help for this type of work in the future! If you ever wanted to chat about ideas/projects, I'd be down!

[@sheepgaming3121]

Thank you for being so open about your journey back to the faith, walk the path!

[@susanpwrightwright8466]

Thank you so very much for this! I am the Mother of a gamer & now a grandmother. I have always been in judgement of gaming and have struggled to understand. I get a glimpse of the goodness in them and in my people who love playing. Then it’s a fleeting moment of understanding and judgement again. I felt I could breathe having listened; really listened. All I can say is thank you, I am grateful.

[@exzisd]

I normally don't stop to watch ads and I'm not Catholic (I'm a Christian) but I was intrigued at this theological view of gaming and this notion of modern people (especially men) finding purpose in the digital world when masculinity is considered to be a bad thing in the secular world and more and more young men are growing up finding purpose in gaming. I feel fortunate that I was able to grow up at a time before the internet really took over and I got to experience the pre internet world. My childhood was full of adventures and basic rites of passage that many of the millennial generation and earlier just took part in. There's many things I've seen lost in culture and I think many are looking around right now either consciously or unconsciously looking for something to find a deeper purpose or fulfillment. I left the church many years ago but began to go to church again with my parents on Sundays about 2 years ago as they are getting older and it's a place we can spend time together and a reason to come together on Sunday for. At times I wish we still attended the smaller church we grew up going to as it felt more personal and the church we go to now in West Chicago is pretty large and it's easy to feel anonymous for better and worse. You really have to make an intention to connect with others outside of the church service itself. I think people are more and more in need of community for sure even beyond just going to church though the church is a better place to start than a bar or a club. I think time and attention are such a valuable things in this age of rushing about going from thing to thing but rarely feeling a sense of getting anything of great purpose done. Even in the greatest achievements of real life it can feel so hollow when you reach the goal and it's not how you thought it would be and you reach the next goal and it's again not how you thought it would make you feel about life. The pleasures of material success are nice but don't last very long. This world is full of mental illness, people struggling in silence, people acting out in search of a purpose or identity and feeling like no one else is really ALIVE. I can feel that even in church that people are just checking the service off their weekly checklist. You gotta keep your eyes and mind open to connect in church and find community even within the community. I remember some of my best memories as a kid at church were of gaming nights where kids and the youth pastors would set up a bunch of Xbox systems and we'd have the church with a lot of guys playing Halo. It made me feel like my youth pastor was a real person and not just full of it. That and Chipotle, all of us would love Chipotle and it was so simple but good times. We also had some nights with a few Gamecube systems playing Super Smash Brothers. That was in the era before online gaming was anywhere near where it is today. I thought it was a great thought provoking discussion. I subscribed and wish there was another episode to watch now. Looks like this was just posted yesterday so I'll keep an eye for the next one in my subs.

[@ABB14-11]

Good insights my friend

[@damianperez7736]

Catholics are christian too, if you are not a catholic nor an orthodox, then you are protestant, a protestant christian

[@exzisd]

​@@damianperez7736 I'm opposed to the concept of denominations yet at the same time I think to the world at large Catholicism and Christianity share similarities but are different religions. I think much of the values and teachings are the same but ritual and specific beliefs do vary to the degree they are different. Judaism also shares much DNA in common with Christianity/Catholicism yet its much different in practice and ultimate beliefs. Personally I think the idea of denominations is a bit odd, while I understand it as a matter of taste I also think we are all God's children. Just my personal view on the situation. My understanding and concept of Christianity and God are what some may call "hippie christianity" meaning I believe God is love. I follow the teachings of the Old & New Testaments while reconciling my personal beliefs and interpretations. I think many people subconsciously decide what parts of the Bible to study or omit based on group think and what is considered "reasonable" to them and culture at large. My birth name, Daniel, mean's God Will Be My Judge and the etymology is derived from Daniel in the Lion's Den. I believe God is my judge and knows my heart, my intentions, and is omnipotent. My way of living may seem strict and conservative to some in the world but within church buildings it's relatively lax. I believe God knows my heart and so I can only live in a way that I believe is right based on what I have learned and my intuition. Within my mind and existence there is nothing at all which I can hide from God. To try to hide anything is merely to try tricking myself that a habit or part of myself isn't bad or isn't seen when really it's the truth that sets me free. I'm far from perfect and believe that's why the grace of God is so important. I don't try to live foolishly but I make mistakes. I speak up for Jesus even at times that it's been against my earthy benefit. At the same time I don't go around preaching that only my views are correct or that my way is superior. I don't shove religion or spirituality down anyone's throat. If someone wants to have a conversation about it because they are curious or recognize the way I live then I'm glad to share. I don't condemn other religions or perspectives because everyone is living within their own subjective reality tunnel based on a nearly infinite amount of factors from where someone was born and how they were raised and to the choices and decisions they have made in their life combined with their experiences. This starts to get into the weeds with my thoughts regarding quantum physics but as far as reconciling science and God I recognize God above all. I don't deny science but also believe that science isn't the ultimate truth and represents far more questions than solid answers. I think science and God can coexist. Ok this reply is long enough but hopefully the idea is clear.

[@kathleenwalker7982]

Just wanting to make sure you know Catholics are Christians. Read our apostles creed and you will see.

[@mariannehenderson9653]

This was enlightening and very informative for me...one of the older generation! For a long time, I've had a very bad taste in my mouth for gaming; although never really knowing anything about it! I am anxious to see the rest of the series and to learn more and more about this industry and what the church might be doing to involve more Christianity, and more importantly, Catholicism into this industry. I have grown children, and grandchildren who enjoy gaming, and I am anxious to learn more about it's GOOD features. Thank you World on Fire for this series!

[@markaurelevangelista8622]

Have not really watched Word on Fire in a long time - this really speaks to me. Thank you, God Bless.

[@kaelynnkreates]

I’m really excited to see where this goes! I’ve been a girl gamer for a very long time, but I largely avoid the AAA and social gaming landscape because I’ve had too many instances of harassment and unsafe situations. I think it’s a lot better than it used to be, but still! Often you can’t even play as a female character without her body being exploited in one way or another (looking at you Capcom). Since this series is going to be geared more towards men, I’m curious to see how you encourage guys to respond to this culture (both the industry and communities surrounding it).

[@daenithriuszanathos9306]

I sincerely hope they address female gamers too. There's a growing number of female gamers and we would be remiss to only address the men in this demographic.

[@kaelynnkreates]

@@anotherlook6930 What do you mean by that? I’m always happy to have a discussion, but I’d prefer not to have things devolve into trollbait.

[@kaelynnkreates]

@@daenithriuszanathos9306 Totally agree! Especially with all of the things going on at Activision right now, it’s becoming clear that this isn’t a minor or overblown issue in the gaming industry anymore.

[@Quetzal00358]

Just curious which Capcom series are you talking about? I am playing the Ace Attorney games and some of the female designs seem to show off the female's body in an inappropriate (can't think of another word) way Or are you talking about another franchise?

[@Draconus64]

Capcom is definitely bad about this.

[@blindbandit7297]

Thank you so much for making this series! My mom is now finally starting to understand why my brother and I love video games. I love the beauty and the stories, and my brother loves the community and playing with his friends online. God bless you both!

[@IvanGarcia-cx5jm]

It is hard to find good video games these days. There are three ways that the Catholic church could help the industry: 1) Recommend good games (help parents discern which games to buy or not). 2) Sponsor good games (financially or advertising them) 3) Developing games (maybe creating Catholic games). I sign in for the last one!

[@annayork7480]

As a Catechist for 8th grade Confirmation preparation, this is a wonderful tool to introduce to my students in showing there is no disconnect from faith discernment to 'what's out there' in the real world. God so wonderfully made the real world and He can be found even in this form of entertainment. Knowing how to navigate the good and the beautiful from the bad and the ugly is still involving God - bringing us closer to Him or taking us away from Him. No, I don't play video games and am a middle-aged woman who finds this presentation engaging and brings an awareness to something I would otherwise never look into. Looking forward to each new episode.

[@soundkid9970]

Are we gonna have any Word on Fire Let's Plays? Would love to see Fr Blake and Bobby face off/co-op in one of their favorite games! Thanks so much for this show, can't wait to see where it goes! God Bless!

[@ChristopherVanDerWesthuizen]

Given how gaming tends to be quite demonized (by Christians) I was pleasantly surprised by the direction this video took. I'm Catholic and play a lot of games, and in my case consider this to be incredibly healthy and helpful for reducing stress and for finding inspiration to use in other areas of my life. Great to hear Fr. Blake's take on this.

[@mariagarciasilva4124]

I cannot think of anyone better to comment on this, Fr. Blake Britton rocks! Thank you WoF!

[@katherinetyrrell8810]

This is absolutely fascinating conversation. My son will be studying Game Design in college this fall. As a Catholic Mom, I am well aware of the propensity to demonize all games as addictive escapism. I have cautioned him on his moral responsibility, but this helps so much. Thank you!

[@randythompson3054]

Thanks so much for this! I'm 71 and, needless to say, have never been much of a gamer. I gave up computer games for Lent twenty some odd years ago, and haven't played them since. I don't regret this, but I'm glad to hear your take on this. You given me an appreciation for computer games I wouldn't otherwise have had. You've helped me "get" this, and I'm grateful for that. Keep it up!

[@patschloss3342]

Not sure if it’s on your radar but John Paul the Great Catholic University (jpcatholic) is a solid Catholic school in Escondido, CA with a large video game design program. Definitely worth checking out what this young school is up to!

[@perspicacity89]

Thank you for making this video. It's something I have been thinking on for a very long time. I was so happy to see KZbin recommend this video to me!

[@apollosgadfly]

If you guys ever get the chance, please discuss how the Tri-Force in the Legend of Zelda series, in terms of the values of Tri-Force pieces of Wisdom, Courage, and Power, and how they relate to Catholicism, perhaps Faith, Hope and Charity, or something I’ve seen in Plato’s Republic, the balance between power (such as physical form, etc.) and wisdom, as they are ruled by Plato’s concept of “eros” (which is the word he uses for “love” in the Republic). I’ve seen connections, but I’d love to see you guys explore these ideas.

[@kevincuadra1600]

YEAHHHHHHHH

[@patm6094]

The Bible was an item in the Japanese version of the Legend of Zelda for the NES. Just throwing that out there.

[@martinalther6661]

I hope this series returns for another season. I loved it!

[@patcunningham6170]

The concern I have here, and in the gaming I do, is that there is a huge amount of violence without justification, other than "well, that's the enemy." Perhaps that's where we can bring in the insights of Christian history and theology.

[@odyggtuf141]

As a gamer myself that is part of the fun (And video game violence doesn't equal real life violence)

[@adambombdiggidy]

God bless y'all for doing this series! I'm a game developer as a hobby and have been a life long Catholic and I make my games with the hope that my work brings people closer to God since there's a big gap in God related art in gaming.

[@eukaristiya]

Thanks so much! As a young guy who was immersed in this culture, I believe online games can be a source of holiness, as long as we use it for the greater good and growth in virtue. My patron here had always been Blessed Carlo Acutis!

[@christinap.2728]

Father Blake, you have my attention. I struggle with gaming and how much my son loves it and plays it. I pray this is what God has placed this before me to better understand and strengthen my relationship with my son. BTW I am Father John Solle’s sister. We have met and I am excited you are doing this series. I’ll admit my other sister told me about it and I thought this is going to be interesting. You have my FULL attention!!❤️🙏🏻

[@Nightblade404]

I am a nondenominational christian and I think that this is a great topic that we as a general christian society need to focus on because with demonizing it, we are shutting down an opportunity to connect and even make people aware of the word of God

[@jonOWilderns]

For most of my adult life I was active in real life ministry. But as I aged I became disabled to the point where I had to stay at home most of the time. So I asked God why He let this happen to me since working as His minister was my life's desire. He answered by giving me the realization that for every game avatar there was a real live person playing the game. While there are many video games that Christians should NOT play, there are many others that are just fantasy versions of real life. In those games are evil and good just as in the real world and it is up to the player to decide which they want to do. So I could be the Christian Light of the world and Salt of the earth, living by Christ's teaching, in those games just as I can in real life. So for many years now I have been a Christian witness and had Christian fellowship in online video games. As long as we choose to live by the Bible in the game, as we do in real life, it is just another way God can use our talents for His purposes.

[@billross6963]

Very informative session. This is the most positive discussion I have seen on gaming. I have a whole new perspective on my grandson's like of gaming. I have thought of it as being isolating not such a social forum. Great job Fr. Blake.

[@ikkinwithattitude]

Why does it seem impossible to make a non-reply comment on this video without the comment immediately disappearing? Anyway... I find the breakdown of the different kinds of engagement provided by different types of videogames -- community, identity, and mission -- very compelling. It kind of reminds me of the Bartle taxonomy of gamer types, which involved a four-part division between Achievers, Explorers, Socializers, and Killers. And like the Bartle taxonomy, I think it applies more neatly to the people playing the games than to the nature of the games themselves. One interesting thing about videogames as sources of community, for instance, is that massive communities can develop around single player games in the form of fandom. Fanart, fanfiction, discussion, and analysis of fictional worlds often brings people together around games that they play by themselves. This isn't unique to videogames, of course -- Lord of the Rings and Star Wars are perfect examples of the same phenomenon existing earlier in other media -- though it seems like videogames are an ideal medium in which to build the sorts of worlds that foster that sort of engagement. Another interesting thing about videogames as a medium is the greater diversity in cultural viewpoints they offer compared to, say, Hollywood. The same genre can be expressed very differently depending on the origin and/or primary cultural influence of the game in question. Japanese RPGs, for instance, frequently lean much more heavily on mission than on identity -- and when they do focus on identity, they tend to do so by putting you in the shoes of a character dealing with an identity crisis rather than by letting you express yourself. Finally, with regards to beauty, I'm inclined to see videogames as the closest thing to true monumental structures (in the sense of pyramids, temples, and cathedrals) that exist in our culture. Sure, we've raised buildings whose heights would shame the Tower of Babel, but it's rare to find architecture designed within the last century that seeks to draw upon every possible artistic medium to express the heights of human creativity. Videogames might be virtual creations, but they offer the greatest possible facsimile of what Tolkien described as "Faerian Drama" -- the sort of drama capable of drawing one "bodily inside its Secondary World" -- yet devised by human minds. And perhaps that's what our disenchanted culture finds so compelling. Having seemingly lost access to the spiritual world, the consolation prize of a sub-created Secondary World begins to seem more appealing than anything the disenchanted material world has on offer... and videogames provide the ultimate gateway to just such a Secondary World.

[@ms.leclaire9017]

As a Catholic mom of 2 teens that appear lost into the gaming world I look forward to watching this series. God has a plan!

[@jesseholthaus8357]

I’m older now but grew up in the gaming world and still play. My parents found it difficult to see any good in video games and always railed about them being a waste of time. Late one night, as an adult in my 30s, I happened to be staying at my parent’s house and my dad came in and just sat down for about half an hour and watched me play. He asked a couple of questions about the game and then went to bed. As odd as it sounds, it was perhaps the greatest bonding moment I ever had with my dad. For once, he didn’t criticize. He just honestly seemed interested to be part of my world. Later on I thought, “How I wish he would have done that when I was a kid!” Now as a parent I try to constantly remind myself not to try and pigeonhole my kids into what I think they should like but try and listen and become involved in their worlds…

[@ms.leclaire9017]

@@jesseholthaus8357 I do my best to be open minded and have even tried to play a couple of the games. I'm not coordinated enough lol my real issue falls with the HUGE attitude I get by just calling them to the dinner table. It can be very hard to get them off the computer even to eat. That's annoying but also concerning. I hope they touch on that in this series.

[@peterkrause3592]

This is a fantastic conversation and I can't wait to see what new topics are brought up in future episodes

[@OpusJoyous]

Thanks for making this show! It's encouraging. We're a small Catholic indie studio and we're just getting into to game design so the timing seems providential to find your new show! We see a real opportunity to tell Catholic stories through gaming and bring so many aspects of our faith to life, animated through games and VR etc. Looking forward to this series and will be watching and listening intently to your for tips and insights into the world of "God and Gaming"! Thank you

[@adammarktucek3177]

I have wanted to talk about this topics for years. Glad they were able to articulate it better than I could.

[@TopThrillNagster]

My friend just suggested this series to me and it’s insane I haven’t heard of this yet. I’ve been playing games since I was a kid. And this conversation really sparked an internal conversation within me. I think about these games that I’ve loved for years and I could never really hit it on the head for why I love them the way I do. I think especially about Halo and Kingdom Hearts, and to me, this just showed me exactly what I’ve felt for years. The deeper good and beauty within each of these stories. It’s crazy I never really thought of it this way. I’m blown away by this conversation and cannot wait to continue to dive deeper with this! Thank you for making this! It’s extremely inspiring.

[@drewmaal8264]

This is a very very very necessary conversation. 👏

[@johnmendez3028]

So wonderful to see Word on Fire talking about gaming and the Christian presence in the field. Thank you! 🙏🙏🙏

[@HenriqueMDerosa]

That’s amazing! Thank you for all that! ❤

[@rch7972]

I’ve been an avid gamer from my younger days, and now as a father of 3 am enjoying introducing my children to classics, new and old. Very excited to see the launch of this series, and where it goes. Automatic dismissal or demonization of games have been a peeve of mine, too. In addition to being a source of beautiful art and music, it’s often not hard to recognize Christological symbolism and valuable themes in general from a good game for those with eyes to see.

[@Alessandro1983]

Powerful thank you!

[@MagnusG87]

Ive been a massive gamer my whole life (while also being a fervent Catholic). I love that you are doing this and I pray for the success of this discussion series!

[@mjmarchini]

Thank you. As a father who loves videos games, great words and angles and a great streams to evangelize.

[@carloskatherine4860]

Interesting point of view. questions: 1) What about the "normalization" of violence using videogames. I mean, some game really bring a death culture that make us insensible to the need of the real world. 2) the secret of some community "free" games is to engage more people and keep them looking the screens the most time possible. is it goin to distract the word to do real good at home/community/world? 3) When can we consider video game and an addiction/vice?

[@deborahmele422]

I am excited about this series because my son is a video game programmer. The fact that the game he works on has no violence, no bad language and no sexual content and is just a fun game, is a relief for me. It gives him a career that allows him to have a comfortable life. Now if someone can create a game that would bring him back to the Catholic Church, I would be ecstatic.

[@drakovis798]

Thank you.

[@gugatena4990]

Woooow! Que maravilla ! Los felicito! Que gran iniciativa! Mucha fuerza! Saludos desde Cd de Mexico!

[@Richie016]

An indulgence to appreciate the wonder of creative fantasy, video games rekindle joy, with a purpose to life; knowing God more than through everyday living.

[@ghostcloudmusic6867]

I grew up loving video games for a lot of the reasons mentioned here. As I grew up and had a family, I began to see it as a distraction and started to fall in love with the idea of making games because I saw it as a potential source of income for my family and it was along my interests. Then I started to feel more sorry for friends and family stricken with addiction to gaming and felt guilty for dedicating time to learn how to make games. And now I feel like I have a new interest in game making

[@stevef3827]

This a great topic. My adult sons and I game together, it’s a great way for us to stay connected since we live up to 2.5 hours from each other. Games like Skyrim, Fallout and Halo have many life lessons and situations. But yes, limited use is a must. Look forward to hearing more!

[@ethane1149]

Been looking forward to this series for a while and I wasn’t let down with this first episode. God bless!

[@truegritcatholic4185]

This is a great topic to bring up. There are a lot of Catholic Twitch streamers who have been evangelizing for years now (your future guest is one of them) some are small, some are not so small, but some of the conversations and the community that have happened on stream are amazing and it speaks to who we are as Catholics. I can't wait to see how this series progresses, and don't forget about us Gen X gamers LOL.

[@truegritcatholic4185]

@@ccbarr58 Thank you Cheryl

[@shannonmaria22]

This series is an outstanding idea. Thank you so much for tackling this subject! 🙏 The gaming community is so much more than older generations think. My husband and I watched this together. He is an avid gamer and said everything you discussed is 100% spot on. 🙌

[@blakeb2344]

Thank you Shannon!! -Fr. Blake

[@SoundScape419]

Great first episode. I can't wait to see how conversations with industry experts turn out. Also would love it if you guys could have an audio feed so that we could listen to this series in podcast form.

[@martinalther6661]

I'm also a Catholic and gamer, so I'm definitely glad to see you guys doing this podcast. I like all genres to varying degrees. But I'm mainly into RPG's (both Western and Eastern) and platformers (2D and 3D), so I'm especially excited to see your commentary on those two genres.

[@stephenf6046]

I loved this series. Being a Catholic and a gamer who could never truly articulate adequately the importance of games to others this hits home! My wife and I watched together and she has a whole new perspective on games and gaming. Thank you! A recommendation for the future, I was hoping for a few more clips from games or samples of soundtrack, just some examples to help illustrate what you were talking about specifically for my wife who had never seen Skyrim, or Halo or listen to many game soundtracks.

[@traceywaldt5677]

Great timing of a first episode in this series with AGDQ taking place right now, which highlights speed runners. Really enjoyed this first installment, gentleman, as the wife of a gamer and someone who occasionally plays herself. I would love to know your thoughts on the game Outer Wilds, which got my husband and I talking at length about philosophy and the existence of God, specifically.

[@conorpoetry]

Thank you! I play video games and am in RCIA to be confirmed. I've felt guilty about playing too much but you've given me a lot to think about.

[@jedicrna2079]

Please keep this series going! What a great way to evangelize, looking at the comments here everyone says this hit them straight in the feels. Maybe a Word on Fire video game in the future? RPG please!

[@anothercasual8170]

Great idea for a show, we do need Catholic presence in gaming. God bless!

[@kellykocina9813]

Thank you Fr. Blake! Two of my children are gamers and I love hearing your perspective!

[@NecroKoopa]

This is awesome, thanks for bringing this topic. 30yo gamer here, first daughter coming any minute now, and I'm really excited to share my passion with her (her name Aurora was partly inspired by the game Child of Light, btw). I'm more into indie games especially because they need to be more focused on creative gameplay, or beautiful soundtrack, or a particular graphic style, because these are the details that will make them show up. And this makes me passionate, playing a game with a brilliant story like Celeste that tackles mental health, a beautiful Soundtrack like Child of Light, or a super simple and gorgeous art like Braid. Looking forward to the next episodes :D

[@NecroKoopa]

@@ccbarr58 Thank you! Indeed I got to know it's Sleeping Beauty name too, after choosing. Another cute reference for my princess

[@danielosetromera2090]

This is just remarkable. I spent way too much time playing videogames in the past, something that I´ve come to regret very often. This episode is making me wonder if my time wasn´t entirely wasted after all. I´m now a 43 year old catholic who plays just ocassionally, due to various responsibilities (like having three children!). The weird thing is that I enjoy gaming, but at the same time I often feel kind of guilty whenever I´m playing. In the end, I think my gaming days are becoming more and more a thing of the past. Congratulations for this show!

[@TheMightyLevon]

So excited to see this show being done! I'm 35 and grew up with video games my whole life, and have always lamented the lack of any real Catholic perspective on gaming beyond the boomer generation shouting about how they'll make you worship Satan. I particularly loved the point about the affect that a game soundtrack has on people -- there are certain tunes, especially from those old SNES RPGs, that carry an incredibly powerful nostalgia factor. Excited to see this conversation move forward! Though if I can pick one nit -- Fortnite is really a battle royale, and not a true MMO. World of Warcraft or Final Fantasy XIV would be better quintessential examples.

[@Raulito506]

While I loved gaming at one point, it began to consume my life to the point that it became clear that gaming had developed into an addiction. With Long lasting hours, I began to avoid the needs of my body when it came to food and bathroom breaks, even preferred gaming over spending time with my family. As a Catholic man, I know how detrimental video games can be on the soul. While I acknowledge that not everyone reacts the same way to gaming, my solution to this was to abstain from gaming as a whole. Yes, there is beauty in the immersion but not everyone will find this immersion beautiful and life-giving in the end. I recommend in looking at the statistics of how gaming can be linked to depression and even addiction. Also, when in these stages, the changes that video games can do to one’s brain. I look forward in listening to further discussions on this topic.

[@patriciafrantz8833]

Yes, as a mother of 2 boys and as a medical doctor, I have this concern. Playing videogames acts on dopamine, and can cause addiction. When my boys are exposed to a bigger time, and I ask to stop, it looks like abstinence, they get very irritated, and lose pleasure for other ativities.

[@AMDGBananaBen]

Thank you for this! I heard about this through a Facebook group called Catholic Geeks. Also highly agree that it's important to have Christians and Catholics involved and being a Godly presence in people's lives, especially since it's traditionally been frowned upon by the older generation =)

[@michaelacioffi1291]

This is really amazing! I can't wait for more episodes! I've always wanted to see how can the Catholic church learn from gaming and the only thing I have found so far is the sense of community and having a purpose. The question comes, how can the virtues found when doing quests in video games can be applied in real life.

[@anustinnewsam13]

so so sooooo excited for this!! Great first episode and CAN NOT wait for the special guests!

[@angrypotato_fz]

As an experienced gamer and catholic I didn't learn much here, but I understand this episode as an educational introduction for people who know almost nothing about computer games. Anyway, I'm very glad you want to seriosly approach this topic and I'm looking forward to next episodes. I hope there will be something new for gamers to reflect on too :) In my country there is a very popular dominican friar, who used to constantly travel (before pandemic) with sermons, lectures, retreats, confessions and also published thousands of videos on YT. 2 year ago, seeing how popular game streamers are, he decided to record himself playing through games, with a short religious commentary after every ~1hr episode. Reactions were mixed, I think that other priests were mostly negative or making fun of him, many people condemn him for even playing games (seeing them as evil or a waste of time) or criticize the brutality (shooting, killing). On the other hand, many viewers (among them also atheists) praise this form, feeling connected and being encouraged to actually reflect on their life and faith, based on game's story. What do you think of an idea of evangelization through gameplays or streaming - is it even a viable medium? Should a priest or a friar engage in such activity? Would commenting/reviewing the story of a game (like some do with movies - for example bishop Barron used to talk about popular movies in his videos) be any better or worse than playing it in real time with commentary?

[@brainfreeze91]

Very excited for this series. Video games have always been an important part of my life, and I've always wanted to create video games too. A lot of the time I feel like I have to keep my game life separated from my Christian life. Of course that separation shouldn't exist but the Church hasn't had very much to say about video games in the past. But it's such a strong cultural phenomenon now.

[@PopCultureCatechism]

I love video games. Glad there is a show like this. We did an episode on God of War but games aren’t really our primary focus so I’m glad you guys are covering it. Excited to see where this goes!

[@jhmejia]

I left Christianity but this is funny 😆… also smart. It’s a good podcast.

[@alondraceja9618]

I’m at work and I cannot wait for my break to watch this!!!!

[@jasonblackford3678]

I needed this, thank you for the series! I look forward to the next episode. I'm a father of four with a habit of moonlighting on indie game development - I bring the art to life through code ;) I look forward to hearing your interviews with folks from the industry.

[@Astroptx]

Great - Good Luck AND Prayers for the Project !

[@JR-nr5rr]

Brilliant stuff guys, thanks heaps and looking forward to the next episode!

[@TheEKdude2]

I’m a Christian and a gamer at the same time. I think to have a good relationship with games and god is to try and watch what you play. I don’t really play a lot of graphically insane games anymore, just platformers and some adventure games like Zelda. I believe that these type of games can bring people together and create strong relationships. I also think the industry needs to see more Christian game titles because I think a game should not just be enjoyed because it’s fun, but enjoyed because it teaches a good lesson.

[@silverheart4049]

Looking forward to this! Games are as much a part of culture as movies and books. I hope you discuss fighting for your faith in an increasingly hostile (and corrupt in every sense) industry. I have seen post-modern rot come close to ruining some beautiful stories to the point that I don't want sequels or expansions of games I loved.

[@Draconus64]

Thank ya'll for this. I really needed someone to talk about these topics and maybe answer some of my questions about particular games.

[@RollingSherman505]

Thank you for taking on this topic!

[@luluq01]

Disclaimer- I am most probably not in the age group that will gravitate towards this topic. I am however, a “senior” who likes to stay abreast of current culture. I applaud both of you for having the foresight to see the great untapped opportunity for Catholics to evangelize using this medium. Bravo! Still, if I can be perfectly honest, I was a little taken aback by some statements. Many seniors like me are not stuck in the times of “arcades”. Many of us stay very current and continue with a healthy curiosity. Secondly, and this is a topic for a different program, I would be curious as to how to define “secular feminism” and how that undermines men expressing their masculinity. The virtues of community, mission, protecting other people, etc. are not exclusive to men. A great deal of women share these virtues therefore I was confused when I heard them referred to as masculine virtues. Lastly, the princess doesn’t necessarily need to be saved by a man- she can be rescued by either man or another woman, or just perhaps rescue herself. Please know it is not my intent to be controversial here. I was just a little shaken by some of the statements. I do enormously appreciate what you both are doing here.

[@kaelynnkreates]

I was a little taken aback by the secular feminism comment too, it felt a little bit out of left field. Like, have you interacted with gamers? I think gaming culture often gets masculinity very wrong, and isn’t a “refuge” from those darn secular feminists, whatever that means lol! I think with Catholic media there can sometimes be a temptation to respond to the lack of gender roles in society by really emphasizing traditional gender roles, which I don’t have any issues with, but it can really fail to capture the nuances of Catholic teaching and set up an “us vs. them” camp. I think we can respond charitably to cultural differences without resorting to extreme takes.

[@luluq01]

@@kaelynnkreates Thank you.

[@luluq01]

@Joe Miele I am sorry to see you feel that way. This is the problem when texting or posting comments. It is easy to misinterpret. I have no issue with men or women fulfilling the role and the plan of God for their lives. Correct that Father Britton did not say that these virtues were exclusive to men, but more than once they were referred to as male virtues. I would like to humbly express that I find it simplistic to say men have all these issues because we say that women can also partake in all of the above. Life and these social issues are much more complicated than that. That would be a much lengthier discussion and this would not be the proper forum. As I said, my comment was not meant to start a controversy, just to express statements that were confusing to me. I respect everyone’s polite opinion.

[@procopiuslibrary8513]

This was a topic I dealt with a lot in college, video games not being taken seriously in the context of scholarly discussion. I fought with and argued with my professors, millions of gamers worldwide, endless hours have been put into these things, there are how many multi-billion dollar gaming corporations? They didn't say no, but I had no support in developing new ways of discussing and understanding the art and its place in culture, and I alone wasn't a good enough scholar to do the topic any justice, so it went approximately nowhere. I really hope you two do the industry justice, and perhaps inspire a new generation of development and culture around it. I'm starting to make games on the side, so I'll be listening intently!

[@MAMateo-gg6zl]

Looking forward to watching more content from this series!

[@yayitsjepoy]

Im excited for this series! =)

[@Mr._Anderpson]

I have a question for Fr. Britton or anyone who might be able to answer. I'm a Gen-X gamer who has played games like Fallout & The Elder Scrolls quite literally for decades. I love pirate games, sailing the seas and taking treasure by force or guile. Fr. Britton spoke of the lure of virtues expressed in video games, yet when I play an RPG I often do not play characters who "walk the straight and narrow path". Joining the Thieves Guild or the Dark Brotherhood (a guild of assassins, for those who don't know) is often the path I choose. I'll play characters who will sell the ghoul child to slavers or murder a scavenger in Fallout rather than walk two minutes out of the way to avoid bloodshed. In one run I attempted to systematically kill every parent in Skyrim just to see if all the children in the game could fit into the orphanage in Riften. My question is should I approach these games with my Christian sense of morality or is it ok to be a Sith in a Star Wars game and choose every evil option? Am I courting something dangerous by doing so? I know the Bible says that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Is that what I'm doing when I play evil characters, expressing evil inside myself or creating a place for it to grow? I've seen people debate moral choices in video games for years. They'll argue why supporting this faction or that is the "correct" choice. I tend to get my money's worth from an RPG by trying nearly every option at least once. This might have been a stupid question. I converted late in life & was baptized in 2020. Perhaps someone who grew up with Catholic formation wouldn't have to think twice about this issue. Please disregard the question if it is answered later in the series, as I intend to listen to the whole thing.

[@dwayneasher6765]

It depends or you doing it to make the story interesting or does it make you feel good to be evil it just depends on your heart

[@whatsthewordralph9453]

Admittedly, I am not a gamer; not even Pong or Pacman were parts of my life with which I engaged. One of the things that concerns/worries me about these games is that they all seem to use and encourage violence for the heroic character. Of course, this has been true through various stories over the centuries. Even fairy tales contain a fair amount of violence, and yes, there is evil in the world, and there can be justification in using violence for self-defense and protecting other humans. However, (and I have never played these games so my knowledge of them is completely second-hand) video games seem to glamourize violence. The second thing, connected with this, is that I have read in the past few years that the human mind cannot distinguish well between what is real and what is imagined. That is, when something not physical but imagined is "played" over and over again in the brain, the human mind tends to believe that it is real and actual. If one plays these games over and over, is it not highly possible that one becomes convinced that violence is the way to show your masculinity, your bravery, and your power in achieving real-life challenges?

[@joelrodriguez2152]

I play video games. N top of that video games has keep me out of trouble n video to me. Is a hobby that I love to spend time. Collecting n creating gaming memories

[@MilesMariae]

Catholics might appreciate Catholicvideogamers blog which attempts a philosophical analysis of rpgs according to a Catholic worldview.

[@MilesMariae]

resonant arc is doing great videos analysing video games, it isn't catholic but I would love to see the word on fire connecting with this.

[@ThomasMusings]

Thank you for such a nuanced take.

[@kaitlin8669]

Thank you so much. I love video games.

[@marilynolivier4849]

Very interesting and informative video. Thank you to both of you. One of my sons and a grandson game…a lot. Two of my grandsons have the oculus. I’ll have to try it the next time I visit.😉

[@jacquelinececalupo4420]

Powerful perspective!

[@davidvalentin9493]

Thanks for your info 👍 sounds interesting good job. I am a Christian (Non-denominational or Evangelical) and many of these things you've spoke about have also been on my mind, especially since it's been a long time I think over a decade or two I haven't seen a Christian or Bible related game. Last one I can remember was The Bible Game 🎮 released on 2005 almost 20 years ago. I think this can be a field where we as Christians can Unite Especially if we are able to focus on similar Biblical principles and non controversial topics that can pull us apart at times. I believe the Church of Christ has fallen asleep on this potentially important platform and the enemy has been having a landslide victory we've given him no competition in time forefront. But this can absolutely change I think we need more of Christ JESUS in Japan and this Video Game industry.