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Computer games ‘can be positive’
by Ed Beavan
 At work: Andy Geers at his computer |
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COMPUTER games can be a force for good in society, a panel concluded, during a debate on the subject in London last week. The event, organised by the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA), which represents the games’ producers, was called “Faith and Gaming”, and the panellists spoke of positive aspects of games, despite the many negative perceptions of the genre. Earlier this year, the Byron review of computer gaming, which had been commissioned by the Government, called for a reclassification of the ratings system, and better enforcement by the industry and retailers. It found that parents were not always aware of the dangers of online interactive gaming, where children can meet strangers through the internet. The Revd Joseph Steinberg, of the Church Mission Society, who took part in the Faith and Gaming panel, said he frequently played computer games such as World of Warcraft with his three children, and saw it as a positive experience of building community. He said that some games could be seen as a paradigm for religion, where there is good and evil, and participants fight for good. He also said that games were a good way of meeting people. “You’re able to relate to real people and be an example of your faith among people who don’t normally have contact with people of faith.” Mike Royal, National Director of the Lighthouse Group, which works with excluded schoolchildren, said the use of computer games was “a great way to break down the chasm between young and older people”, and also helped to create boundaries. “We say they can do 45 minutes’ work, punctuated by 15 minutes of gaming, before moving on to more work. It also allows them to move on to creating boundaries themselves.” Martin Houghton-Brown, from the Children’s Society, said that there were risks. “We have to find ways of learning and interacting with this environment to undertake that same risk-assessment process every parent has done.” Andy Payne, who chairs ELSPA, acknowledged that some computer games were “very, very violent”. This was why there was a classification system. Not all parents would abide by the ratings, and if people did not know about the classification system, the gaming industry would have to do more to create awareness. But he opposed any further moves by the Government to police the system.Andy Geers, a computer programmer from east London, is at an advanced stage of creating an interactive Bible-teaching computer game. The 25-year-old, who describes himself as a “computer geek”, has been working on the project for three years. It has snowballed from being a hobby to a large-scale undertaking, using up one working day each week. Its developer is now looking for more funding and professional input into the game. Mr Geers, who attends St Helen’s, Bishopsgate, works for the film company Framestone, where his current project is an animated film about a mouse, The Tale of Despereaux. He describes his game as being “based on 1 Samuel 8-12, when Saul becomes king. Players solve puzzles to move the game forward and chat to characters, and it’s got really great potential to instil a love of the Bible for children. It’s quite light-hearted and fun, but a really good vehicle for teaching the Bible, and I think it’s really distinctive in that. The computer-games industry is worth £1.72 billion in the UK, where 78 million games were sold last year. Yet Christian computer games account for only one per cent of the worldwide market. Mr Geers says he is praying that the sector will expand, so that children can hear about the gospel through games. The game is now at an advanced pre-production stage, and all the key elements are in place, although Mr Geers is now appealing for more prayer supporters, 3D animators, and voice actors to get involved, as well as more investors. |
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