NationStates Jolt Archive

This is primarily for people into either first person shooter and/or real-time strategy video games. I'm not a gamer myself--my claim to fame is beating Medal of Honor: Frontline. On the easy level. After a year and a half. Let's just say it's not my bag.

So I'm asking for your reaction to a description of a game. Personally, I don't think the game will fly, so I'm turning to people who play these types of games to see if you'd be interested enough to buy it when it's released.

Note: I am not advertising for this game. I have no vested interest in whether it flops or flies. I just happen to think the idea is, well, too limited to go far, and I want to know if my politics are keeping me from seeing the potential here.

The game is based on the Left Behind series of books. Here's a description of the game:Wage a war of apocalyptic proportions in LEFT BEHIND: Eternal Forces - a real-time strategy game based upon the best-selling LEFT BEHIND book series created by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. Join the ultimate fight of Good against Evil, commanding Tribulation Forces or the Global Community Peacekeepers, and uncover the truth about the worldwide disappearances!

· Lead the Tribulation Force from the book series , including Rayford, Chloe, Buck and Bruce against Nicolae Carpathia – the AntiChrist.

· Conduct physical & spiritual warfare : using the power of prayer to strengthen your troops in combat and wield modern military weaponry throughout the game world.

· Recover ancient scriptures and witness spectacular Angelic and Demonic activity as a direct consequence of your choices.

· Command your forces through intense battles across a breathtaking, authentic depiction of New York City .

· Control more than 30 units types - from Prayer Warrior and Hellraiser to Spies, Special Forces and Battle Tanks!

· Enjoy a robust single player experience across dozens of New York City maps in Story Mode – fighting in China Town , SoHo , Uptown and more!

· Play multiplayer games as Tribulation Force or the AntiChrist's Global Community Peacekeepers with up to eight players via LAN or over the internet!So, what sort of chances do you give this for success in the gamer community?

Well, I don't know about the gaming community as a whole, but when I read left behind I had enough. I'm definately not buying this.

This is primarily for people into either first person shooter and/or real-time strategy video games. I'm not a gamer myself--my claim to fame is beating Medal of Honor: Frontline. On the easy level. After a year and a half. Let's just say it's not my bag.

So I'm asking for your reaction to a description of a game. Personally, I don't think the game will fly, so I'm turning to people who play these types of games to see if you'd be interested enough to buy it when it's released.

Note: I am not advertising for this game. I have no vested interest in whether it flops or flies. I just happen to think the idea is, well, too limited to go far, and I want to know if my politics are keeping me from seeing the potential here.

The game is based on the Left Behind series of books. Here's a description of the game:So, what sort of chances do you give this for success in the gamer community?if done properly... then pretty good. Not a RTS person myself, but I would give this a chance.

Unless I can play on 'the other side', I just don't know...

It seems like the kind of game Rod and Todd would play.

That series has battle tanks?

I have to say, playing a strategy war game in New York is pretty appealing, though.

Hey, I love Heroes of Might and Magic IV, so I'd definitely give this a look.

Unless I can play on 'the other side', I just don't know...

It seems like the kind of game Rod and Todd would play.

That series has battle tanks?

I have to say, playing a strategy war game in New York is pretty appealing, though.
Apparently, you can.
Play multiplayer games as Tribulation Force or the AntiChrist's Global Community Peacekeepers with up to eight players via LAN or over the internet!
That's the only way I'd play this game, personally. I wonder what kind of mods vicious-minded gamers will come up with for it?

Do you get to play Phelps and attack the NY Gay parade?
If so, I'd be interested...

Do you get to play Phelps and attack the NY Gay parade?
If so, I'd be interested...
Yes! :eek: Or Coulter, and attack the liberal traitors!

Actually, thinking about it some more, I'd want to be the Gay paraders and attack Phelps.
"Squeal like a pig, boy!"

Should do well with the home-school crowd . . .

Actually, thinking about it some more, I'd want to be the Gay paraders and attack Phelps.
"Squeal like a pig, boy!"
Meh, Phelps would be cooler to play.

Meh, Phelps would be cooler to play.
Yeah, but in this game, would he be a good guy or a bad guy?

Yeah, but in this game, would he be a good guy or a bad guy?
Depends on who's making it. If it's Bible thumping fundies, good. If not...erm...well definitely not Jesus-like.

It would be fun. Like you get to pick Phelps or Coulter, vs Moore or some other leftie of yours.

Depends on who's making it. If it's Bible thumping fundies, good. If not...erm...well definitely not Jesus-like.

It would be fun. Like you get to pick Phelps or Coulter, vs Moore or some other leftie of yours.
Well, it's based on the Left Behind books, so that definitely puts it in the realm of the Bible thumping fundies.

Which of course raises the question--aren't these the same people always bitching about violence in video games, you know, the people Hillary Clinton considers "swing voters?"

Well, it's based on the Left Behind books, so that definitely puts it in the realm of the Bible thumping fundies.

Which of course raises the question--aren't these the same people always bitching about violence in video games, you know, the people Hillary Clinton considers "swing voters?"
As long as its in the Lord's name, it ain't none of that stuff youse liberals call violence.

Well, given that these are Christians intent on bashing gay people because, apparently, "God Hates Fags" (the God of Love?), I don't think they care much about being logically inconsistent.

As long as its in the Lord's name, it ain't none of that stuff youse liberals call violence.

Well, given that these are Christians intent on bashing gay people because, apparently, "God Hates Fags" (the God of Love?), I don't think they care much about being logically inconsistent.
Ah yes--us silly liberals not noticing the difference. ;) Eh--I'm not bothered by most videogame violence, so that's no sweat off my balls.

http://www.guidautile.com/blog/img/Rod_Todd.jpg
"We're killing peacekeepers!"
"Yay!"

Really, the bad guys are peacekeepers? Is there a subtext that I'm missing out on?

Ah yes--us silly liberals not noticing the difference. ;) Eh--I'm not bothered by most videogame violence, so that's no sweat off my balls.
Ditto.

http://www.guidautile.com/blog/img/Rod_Todd.jpg
"We're killing peacekeepers!"
"Yay!"

Really, the bad guys are peacekeepers? Is there a subtext that I'm missing out on?
It's one of those Christian "THE UN IS EVIL!!!!!!EVIL!!!" type things.

While it certainly looks like an interesting concept, I don't think it's going to be a big hit with that flavor. I like the idea of something like this set in a major city, but it seems too 'Bible-Thumping' to be able to attract a lot of people who'd otherwise be interested.

If it were humans vs. aliens, or non angel-suported humans vs. generic demons, or something like that, it'd probably do decently well. It might even do alright if it was a sort of irreverent modern spoof on the book of Revelations. But this just gives me a fundmentalist* propaganda vibe.


* So called fundmentalists, that is. A fundmentalist technically is someone trying to bring things back to the fundmentals of something, such as of a religion, and these people are trying to do the opposite -- destroy the fundmental heart of Christianity, Love.

Wait, now I'm getting ideas . . . I need to reread Revelations . . . maybe make a game or book based on the premise that the so-called fundmentalists are the people that are misled and really servents of the anti-Christ or something . . . er, I forget exactly what happens in it, haven't read that part in a while. I should, it's fun to read . . . because the Bible has more sex and violence than most books you can find!

because the Bible has more sex and violence than most books you can find!

Really beacuse I thought A ClockWork Orange gave it a run for it's money.

Really beacuse I thought A ClockWork Orange gave it a run for it's money.
Yes, but the Bible is much longer. ;)

Doesn't sound like much of a game to me. Two sides, boring story, small amount of units, no great sounding features. I probably wouldn't even illegally download it.

This is primarily for people into either first person shooter and/or real-time strategy video games. I'm not a gamer myself--my claim to fame is beating Medal of Honor: Frontline. On the easy level. After a year and a half. Let's just say it's not my bag.

So I'm asking for your reaction to a description of a game. Personally, I don't think the game will fly, so I'm turning to people who play these types of games to see if you'd be interested enough to buy it when it's released.

Note: I am not advertising for this game. I have no vested interest in whether it flops or flies. I just happen to think the idea is, well, too limited to go far, and I want to know if my politics are keeping me from seeing the potential here.

The game is based on the Left Behind series of books. Here's a description of the game:So, what sort of chances do you give this for success in the gamer community?


Its doomed to fail commercially although it will succeed in christian circles if its playable . Its got a built in market...but only if it doesnt suck .

If you can be the antichrist, that would be awesome cool.

You'd have to have all sorts of evil implements though, from the humble severed head throwing catapult, to psychotic zombie cannibals on PCP, to the microwave laser and other cool shit. Yeah.


Nah, actually, that's probably been done before.... this game sounds a bit lame. I got over RTS games after starcraft, heh.

Lead the Tribulation Force from the book series , including Rayford, Chloe, Buck and Bruce...
Now, why the hell would I want to play a character by the name of Rayford, Chloe, Buck or Bruce?
Those are big suck-ass names there. Except Bruce, cause of Bruce Campbell.
Sounds as lame as the books do.

Its doomed to fail commercially although it will succeed in christian circles if its playable . Its got a built in market...but only if it doesnt suck .
The question is whether or not the game can be a commercial success inside that limited market. Is that market big enough to support this kind of game.

I just like role playing games like Final Fantasy or strategy games like CIV3 for instance, mostly*.

Anyone looked at the source material for this 'game'? I just did, why don'tcha take a look at LEFT BEHIND:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0842342702/qid=1148995972/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_3_1/202-7529472-0823001

I quote from two reviews:

Actually I quite enjoyed the book, mainly because it is a good laugh. However, the paranoia permeating through the book tips it from just some fun nonsense into something much more sinister.
This is clearly part of the right-wing Christian agenda to prejudice people against the UN, against international cooperation, against secularism and against toleration of each others religious differences. Christianity is not the only 'right' religion and certainly, Americans are not the chosen people.
The implication of the plot is that the progress that humanity made during the period of the European Enlightment (17th-18th century) is invalid. The Enlightenment's core belief is that humanity can think through its problems and solve them with rationality and tolerance. This book wants to undermine that by suggesting that the EU and the UN and any kind of attempt to solve our problems on an internationalist rational basis are wrong.
Rolling back the enlightenment is an morally abhorrent and frightening project. The policies which this book seeks to encourage would rapidly lead to an apocalyptic war. That, by any sensible criteria, is not a good thing.

Great book - well written and a definite page turner. It concentrates on the aftermath of the Rapture of Christ's Church and what happens to those left looking for the truth and to those who chose to ignore the truth.

If you don't believe the basis for this novel - the Book of the Revelation - you have my sympathy.

Looking forward to reading more in the series.

This is primarily for people into either first person shooter and/or real-time strategy video games. I'm not a gamer myself--my claim to fame is beating Medal of Honor: Frontline. On the easy level. After a year and a half. Let's just say it's not my bag.

So I'm asking for your reaction to a description of a game. Personally, I don't think the game will fly, so I'm turning to people who play these types of games to see if you'd be interested enough to buy it when it's released.

Note: I am not advertising for this game. I have no vested interest in whether it flops or flies. I just happen to think the idea is, well, too limited to go far, and I want to know if my politics are keeping me from seeing the potential here.

The game is based on the Left Behind series of books. Here's a description of the game:So, what sort of chances do you give this for success in the gamer community?

The size of it definetly seems nice, dozens of premade maps, then you have all the randomly generated maps for AI melee fighting. Over 30 units for each side? Shit man, we usually only get fifteen in our games... The "Good Vs Evil" part sounds like a rip-off of the LotR RTS though. But hell, I always love choice. However, even though it seems rather massive, I have an instinctual feeling that this game will be repetitive. VERY reptitive. Just an instinct, but a gamers instinct on games is almost never wrong. We can tell crap games when we see or even read or hear about one. However, make sure you don't get advice from a "poser gamer". They like to think they're gamers. They may have beaten the Medal Of Honor series on hardest difficulty for each game, but a toddler can do that. Look out for them man, otherwise you will be lured into buying a crap game. Oh crap, rambling on and getting off topic.

Hmm. Play as the anti-christ, raise demonic armies, slaughter fundamentalists in an orgy of fully-rendered violence, and to top it off I get to raze New York to the ground? What is there not to like?

Anyone looked at the source material for this 'game'? I just did, why don'tcha take a look at LEFT BEHIND:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0842342702/qid=1148995972/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_3_1/202-7529472-0823001

I quote from two reviews:
Aww son of a bitch. It's a religious book. And I was going to read it too. My mom constantly throws religious books at me to try to drive me back to liking god. COME ON! SERIOUSLY! GOD'S AN ASSHOLE! And he only proves it more with every book I read about him.

Ok. Revised statement. DO NOT PLAY THIS GAME UNLESS YOU WISH TO BE BRAINWASHED BY BIBLE-THUMPING FUNDIES! Whenever you play the "evil" side the good side probably gets to go god-mode. Fucking fundies...

You know what really annoys me in game advertisments?

· Control more than 30 units types - from Prayer Warrior and Hellraiser to Spies, Special Forces and Battle Tanks!

OMG YOU CAN COMMAND TANKS! Woot. All these games make it out like tanks and special forces are some uber special revolution in RTS gaming. Not that tanks are bad, but they're hardly special.

Oh, and it's been said before, but...

The pope godmodes

Maybe evil can like "satan-mode" while good can "god-mode", then it'll be a stalemate, since when they hit each other, no damage is dealt.

What worries me is that the damn fundies are getting more complex in their ways to brainwash people. They just used to make crappy FPS's for their beliefs. Now they're actually creating RTS's with better graphics.

I mean, soon they might actually indoctrinate someone with this crap.

Aww son of a bitch. It's a religious book. And I was going to read it too. My mom constantly throws religious books at me to try to drive me back to liking god. COME ON! SERIOUSLY! GOD'S AN ASSHOLE! And he only proves it more with every book I read about him.
Son, you're trying too hard. "God's an asshole"? Any moron can be an atheist -- it takes patience and a lot of heavy reading to really develop one's position on traditional religion, regardless of your stance. :headbang:

Son, you're trying too hard. "God's an asshole"? Any moron can be an atheist -- it takes patience and a lot of heavy reading to really develop one's position on traditional religion, regardless of your stance. :headbang:
No, athiesm is the belief that there is no higher power. I believe there's a higher power, but I also believe that whatever it is, it is also a complete asshole.

This is primarily for people into either first person shooter and/or real-time strategy video games. I'm not a gamer myself--my claim to fame is beating Medal of Honor: Frontline. On the easy level. After a year and a half. Let's just say it's not my bag.

So I'm asking for your reaction to a description of a game. Personally, I don't think the game will fly, so I'm turning to people who play these types of games to see if you'd be interested enough to buy it when it's released.

Note: I am not advertising for this game. I have no vested interest in whether it flops or flies. I just happen to think the idea is, well, too limited to go far, and I want to know if my politics are keeping me from seeing the potential here.

The game is based on the Left Behind series of books. Here's a description of the game:So, what sort of chances do you give this for success in the gamer community?


Somehow, this reminds me of Warcraft II. Maybe it's because I think it needs Paladins and funny unit quotes before I'd play it.

I've no idea what the Christian gamer community is like -- how large it is, etc. However, it seems to me that the Left Behind series has sold enough books to its target demographic to likely be able to succeed in its niche.

There's gotta be a catch when playing the "evil" side, though.

No, athiesm is the belief that there is no higher power. I believe there's a higher power, but I also believe that whatever it is, it is also a complete asshole.
Heh...son, you're just continuing to make my point for me. I don't need the help, but thanks.

(From "God's an asshole" to "I believe in a higher power, but it is an asshole" -- I'm at least getting a solid chuckle of this!)

Maybe evil can like "satan-mode" while good can "god-mode", then it'll be a stalemate, since when they hit each other, no damage is dealt.
Given the people who created this game, I seriously doubt it.

Heh...son, you're just continuing to make my point for me. I don't need the help, but thanks.

(From "God's an asshole" to "I believe in a higher power, but it is an asshole" -- I'm at least getting a solid chuckle of this!)
Dude, saying "God's an asshole" and saying "I believe in a higher power, but it is an asshole" is saying the same thing.

Given the people who created this game, I seriously doubt it.

I fear that this game may be appealing enough that people actually buy it and get brainwashed by the message of its fundamentalist creators.

I've no idea what the Christian gamer community is like -- how large it is, etc. However, it seems to me that the Left Behind series has sold enough books to its target demographic to likely be able to succeed in its niche.

There's gotta be a catch when playing the "evil" side, though.
That's the unsolvable problem, isn't it? If you're really hoping for people to interact within the game, then you've got to make the sides evenly matched, because if there's no way for Satan to win, then no one will ever play that side. But if you make it possible for Satan to win, then you seriously distress your main audience, since they fervently believe in the overriding power of God to defeat all.

Dude, saying "God's an asshole" and saying "I believe in a higher power, but it is an asshole" is saying the same thing.
LOL! Great shades of Elvis, you just keep comin' back with the hits, don'tcha?

Again, you make my point for me. This is too easy.

I fear that this game may be appealing enough that people actually buy it and get brainwashed by the message of its fundamentalist creators.

Mmmhmm. This is the first fundamentalist game I've seen which actually uses violence and *gasp* could there possibly be gameplay?
Actually, perhaps not. I doubt the fundies have advanced that far yet.

That's the unsolvable problem, isn't it? If you're really hoping for people to interact within the game, then you've got to make the sides evenly matched, because if there's no way for Satan to win, then no one will ever play that side. But if you make it possible for Satan to win, then you seriously distress your main audience, since they fervently believe in the overriding power of God to defeat all.
Ah, yes, Nazz, ol' chap, you've discovered the eternal paradox of economics versus principles.

I don't claim to know how much time is left in that particular game, but I know economics is up by at least 2x10^100 points.

I fear that this game may be appealing enough that people actually buy it and get brainwashed by the message of its fundamentalist creators.
Nah. Only in the same way that violent games influence people to act violently. That is, not at all.

Anyone played "Shattered Union"? Game set during a second American Civil War. NOt very good but was quite fun (released this year or last, cant quite remember which). Personally I played as the EU peacekeepers (and smacked US butt all over the place), so I suspect I wouldnt like the idea behind this game, though, as with others, if you can play as the "bad" guys forces (hey... if they're meant to be UN peacekeepers their obviously really the good guys... lets go smash some fundametalist arses) and stand a chance then maybe, though... as people have said, thats not exactly likely.

· Play multiplayer games as Tribulation Force or the AntiChrist's Global Community Peacekeepers with up to eight players via LAN or over the internet!

If it's cheap and half decent, I'll pick it up just for the novelty value of going online and running over Rod and Todd's Tribulation Force with a Peacekeeper TANK RUSH.

Come on now - wrath of God or no wrath of God, anyone who's played Red Alert knows that nothing stops a properly organized tank rush.

I can just imagine the look on some little Fundie in the making's face as Rayford and Chloe get run over by an Abrams, or napalmed by an airstrike... ah, bliss. :)

You people don't think this was actually made by christians do you? There is no way. Unless of course, this game is a lie (I will check IGN for it) or the creators are simply saying they are christian to get christian gamers, thinking they have found a market niche. A game like this seems more to be mocking christians than anything. 'be satan and win the game, drop bombs on churchs' :mad:


EDIT: I checked, and I cannot believe that they are actually making the game

You people don't think this was actually made by christians do you? There is no way. Unless of course, this game is a lie (I will check IGN for it) or the creators are simply saying they are christian to get christian gamers, thinking they have found a market niche. A game like this seems more to be mocking christians than anything. 'be satan and win the game, drop bombs on churchs' :mad:


EDIT: I checked, and I cannot believe that they are actually making the game
Never underestimate the power of fundamentalist hypocrisy.

It sounds like a dumb fucking game if you ask me. But if its blody enough and contains mass murder, people will be sure to play it. Simpletons...

Side note, if you think GTA is a good game (and I dont mean enjoyable, you can enjoy playing a shitty game), kill yourself.

So, what sort of chances do you give this for success in the gamer community?Must admit it might be fun to play as the anti-Christ forces. Then again, from the description it would seem that most of the Action would take place in the US only, and that would be rather disappointing from a scenery perspective.

Must admit it might be fun to play as the anti-Christ forces. Then again, from the description it would seem that most of the Action would take place in the US only, and that would be rather disappointing from a scenery perspective.Now that I look at some screen shots of the game, it leaves a lot to be desired...

I suspect the gameplay on this will suck.

(The single-player campaign can only be played as the good guys, but you can choose either faction in multiplayer.)http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/700/700708p1.html

I suspect the gameplay on this will suck.



(The single-player campaign can only be played as the good guys, but you can choose either faction in multiplayer.)

http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/700/700708p1.html


To be honest, I'd be rather disapointed if they made the bad guys playable in single player mode -- it would probably detract from the feel of things. The bad guys should be all powerful, which doesn't make for a good challenge when playing them in single player.

Of course, I'm not exactly a fan of being able to play as those on God's side, either -- because it really shouldn't be possible for them to lose, and again, that doesn't make for good game-play.

Seems solid. Pretty much standard RTS fare. Doesn't seem like there's enough unique about for it to become a must-buy though.

Never read the book myself so I cannot give a valid response.