Dust off that Bible and get ready for the Rapture. Christian game developers are praying that salvation can be as appealing to the masses as Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. These three PC titles let you battle Satan's minions with a staff, some scrolls, and a dagger. Each poses the same challenge: Save some souls and defeat the Beast, or die trying.
Eternal War: Shadows Of Light
Mission: Travel deep into the suicidal mind of John Coronado to fight the demons of malice and destruction that afflict him. Succeed and John returns to God. Fail and he goes to hell.
Fear-of-God accessory: A dagger. When held next to your raised fist, it tosses killing orbs of His energy.
Featured heathen: John, the fallen man. He's lost all faith, has no will to live, and is trapped in a cycle of drugs, porn, and self-mutilation. "Who would allow this to happen to someone they love?" John asks. "Answer me that."
Conversion Rating: Medium. The low tech graphics make even the power of God seem a little underwhelming. But chats with John will put any player on the righteous path.
Ominous Horizons: A Paladin's Calling
Mission: It's 15th-century Germany, and evil forces have destroyed Johannes Gutenberg's printing press and stolen his Bible. You're charged with retrieving it - and ensuring the rapid spread of Christianity.
Fear-of-God accessory: Moses' staff. Known for parting the Red Sea, this powerful piece of wood channels God's energy to strike down evildoers.
Featured heathen: The Greater Druid. As if the pagans didn't have it rough enough, they return here as undead warriors.
Conversion Rating: Medium-high. This title has the most sophisticated gameplay of the three, and its developers have caught flak for - no kidding - excessive violence.
Saints of Virtue
Mission: Know thyself. Journey within your own heart to fight the worldly temptations of vanity, pride, and fear.
Fear-of-God accessory: Scrolls of Truth. The coveted bits of scripture allow you to unlock the doors of worldly wisdom.
Featured heathen: The Golden Guru. A false prophet who attempts to seduce you with earthly delights.
Conversion Rating: Low. Overcoming the deadly and lesser sins doesn't make for exciting gaming. Only purists will relish Saints of Virtue for keeping its Christian credentials intact.
Holy Cow!
There's no business like God's business. Estimated sales of Christian videogames, music, books, and movie tickets reached a revelatory $3.6 billion in 2002.
Videogames: $200 million
Books: $2.5 billion
Music: $900 million
Movie tickets: $35.5 million
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