The upcoming video game “I Am Jesus Christ” on Steam has sparked controversy over the inclusion of religious content in video games. The game, which allows players to take on the role of Jesus Christ, has raised questions regarding the appropriateness of using religion as a theme in entertainment.
In “I Am Jesus Christ,” players will experience key moments from the life of Jesus Christ, including his baptism, healing of the sick and crucifixion. Polish company PlayWay developed the game.
However, not everyone believes religious themes belong in video games. Elder Robert Clark of the Martindale Church in Indianapolis argues that video games should not be used as a platform for religious messaging.
“In all honesty, I was completely unaware of the game until about a week ago, and upon hearing about it, I thought it was a gag,” Clark said. “Who was [impaired] enough to say, ‘Yeah, let’s greenlight a videogame based on the biblical exploits of Jesus of Nazareth?’ Then, I remembered where I live and the absurdity of humanity, and it sobered me up and made me weep softly considering how potentially terrible this premise would be.”
While “I Am Jesus Christ” is not the first video game to incorporate religious themes, it has drawn criticism from religious leaders and gamers alike. Some argue that the game trivializes the teachings of Jesus Christ and presents them in a way that is inconsistent with their religious beliefs.
On the other hand, some see the game as a way to explore and engage with Christian themes in a new and interactive way. They argue that video games have the power to be more than just senseless entertainment and can be used to educate and elucidate players about various cultures, religions and mythologies.
More on the ‘I Am Jesus Christ’ video game
Religion, spirituality and mythology are common themes used in video games. Games like “Assassin’s Creed,” explores the religious conflict between the Assassins and the Templars, and “God of War,” draws heavily on Greek mythology, praising them for their imaginative use of religious themes.
Clark’s concerns are not unfounded. In the past, video games incorporating religious themes yielded controversy. In 2010, the release of “Dante’s Inferno,” a game based on the “Divine Comedy” by Dante Alighieri, drew criticism from the Vatican for its depiction of Hell.
On the surface, Clark may come off as a typical opponent of video games altogether. However, that is not the case. Clark identifies as a gamer and has been since he was a child.
“As far as video games, I consider myself an OG,” Clark said with a laugh. “My mom bought me an Intellivision when I was like eight or nine when all I wanted was an 8-bit Nintendo, but I made do. I’ve always loved sports and fighting games, starting with “Double Dribble” and “Pro Wrestling” to “Tecmo Bowl” and Mike Tyson’s “Punch-Out.” More modernly, I play games to relax and wind down. It also allows me to connect and bond with my friends, family and children and even my grandson watches as we play certain games.”
Clark is not the only gamer who shared an opinion on the release of “I Am Jesus Christ.” Indianapolis resident Christian Boahene believes the game has an upside.
‘I Am Jesus Christ’ and the future of religion in games
“If you’re a millennial, then you’ve seen the number of times they’ve tried to make a clean lane for Christianity in video, and it eventually fades away,” Boahene said. “The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) had “Sunday Funday,” Super Nintendo had the “Noah’s Ark” game, which was just a modified copy of “Wolfenstein,” and in the 2000s, you had “Messiah,” which didn’t catch on; there was also a “Heaven and Hell,” which caught no one’s attention. The thing with most games of this type is that crossing the line should be the least of their worries; it should be grabbing the attention of the gamers who want to buy their product. The current market of consumers is less cautious about new things in terms of presentation and storytelling.”
Clark disagrees with Boahene’s stance on the use of religious doctrines in today’s video games.
“It’s not so much that a game like this walks on thin ice, there is no ice to walk or skate on,” Clark said. “If [PlayWay] wanted to venture into biblical narratives, there are many places to start. I think starting with Jesus of Nazareth not only do you cheapen the impact of what the game could be, but you are essentially pigeonholing yourself into a very myopic direction. People who do not read the Bible will see this and not see the good of the gospel; they will see a campy and exploitative attempt at making the historic Jesus seem more superhuman than deity, further cheapening the truth of his journey and sacrifice.”
Despite the controversy, “I Am Jesus Christ” releases on Steam later this year.
It will be up to individual gamers and religious leaders to decide whether they believe these themes have a place in video games and how they want to engage with them.
“I Am Jesus Christ” is expected to be released in the final quarter of 2023. Boahene joked that the game hits store shelves on Christmas Day.
Contact multi-media staff writer Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846. Follow him on Twitter @NoralParham. For more news from the Indianapolis Recorder, click here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Parham has worked with various leagues to provide a diverse perspective in sports, including the Big Ten, Big East, IHSAA, IndyCar, MLB, NHRA, NFL, NBA, WNBA, WWE and the Olympics. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
