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[Pacian]

Well, we could all simply pretend it will be games about religion in general, instead of scientology in particular.

Not to try and wear Mr Controversial's pointy hat, but is there really that much difference?

I never understood why people pick on Scientology so much for doing pretty much the same things as every other religion - except on a far smaller scale.

[Bezzy]

Erm, for the lulz, obviously.

[deadeye]

I never understood why people pick on Scientology so much for doing pretty much the same things as every other religion - except on a far smaller scale.

Not to derail but try reading up on Lisa McPherson.

And for fuck's sake... they believe that ghosts from outer space are the reason you get sick.

[Chris Whitman]

That is totally unreasonable compared to the idea of a two-thousand year old Jewish wizard who will be very disappointed if you are gay.

Just putting that out there.

[Chris Whitman]

Case in point: I could easily see a TIGS religious game competition being both the most hilarious and intensely offensive thing we could possibly do.

I'm not actually sure whether or not it's a good idea.

[Zaphos]

A religious game competition doesn't have to be 100% offensive!
There's this wonderfully horrible lineage of bible games from apparently-deadpan-and-respectful developers to reference, right?  So if you said "bible games competition," I'd actually think of it as a special genre of B-Games, rather than a chance to rant about the absurdities of belief.  A general religious games competition would probably evoke more of the bible-game spirit as well (except in the context of this specific discussion).

Actually, especially in light of Zoo Race, I think a bible games competition would probably be excellent ...

[shinygerbil]

But, knowing the diverse and extreme range of emotions that this hot topic can evoke, I'm sure there are some people who would deliberately try to offend religion(s) - and some who would do the opposite.

Which is why Scientology is the perfect target -- nobody takes it seriously.

On a slight tangent, thinking about the more serious side of Scientology and looking at the recent TIGS article on Harpooned!, why don't we hold a competition to make games with a serious message? Like harpooning whales, saving forests, cutting CO₂ emissions, etc.

(I still like the idea of an anti-Scientology game )

[Melly]

I like the idea of a religious game competition, but it could very well attract a lot of flak from outside sources, like those religious websites out there. I'd be in it, personally.

[ravuya]

We could all submit our games anonymously, in case one of them sparks riots.

I mean, if a cartoon almost got several people killed, imagine what a sprite-based shooter would do.

[Pacian]

To be fair, I think any kind of religion-themed competition would face the (probably justified) accusation of being more about being controversial for the sake of it than about, you know, making fun/interesting games.

Not to derail but try reading up on Lisa McPherson.

She was mentioned in a link above my post.  All religions want to threaten our health by applying their beliefs to the way hospitals are run.  Scientology has one appalling hospital.  This is certainly bad.  But millions of people die from HIV/AIDS and unsafe abortions because of healthcare decisions influenced by Christian and Islamic beliefs.  Same thing.  Different scale.

[deadeye]

To be fair, I think any kind of religion-themed competition would face the (probably justified) accusation of being more about being controversial for the sake of it than about, you know, making fun/interesting games.

Ultimately I have to agree with this.  A religious-themed game compo, even a sincere one (which I don't see happening), would just create a lot of negative attention for TIGS.

I had a different idea for the opposite end of the spectrum, though.  How about a compo based on Mother Goose rhymes?  I got the inspiration from jimbob's latest game Hickory.  Just thinking back to the rhymes I remember off the top of my head I got like four different game ideas...  Little Jack Horner's Ultimate Pie Fight?  Bo Peep's Gran Prix Sheep (Argh, damn you Zoo Races!)?  How about a game where Little Boy Blue has to fend off a herd of angry, ravenous cows?  And the conflict is already set up for you with something like Miss Muffet vs. spiders.

And there's always room to put a ironically twisted edge on it.

Anyway, just a thought.

[skaldicpoet9]

How about a compo based on Mother Goose rhymes?

Hmm, I like the idea but taking it a little further we could just make the compo a Fables kind of thing where we make games using the various myth, fairy tale and folk type characters we can think of.

[deadeye]

Hmm, I like the idea but taking it a little further we could just make the compo a Fables kind of thing where we make games using the various myth, fairy tale and folk type characters we can think of.

Sure, why not?

[Cthulhu32]

I think Jesus riding a dinosaur, battling the ancient flu ghosts from a Scientology past would be god damn epic. You of course would have to battle the glasses used to rewrite the Mormon bible, they're a freakin cursed relic! I think a "religious relics" based theme might be less offensive if the crowd here seriously cares about outside opinions after the B-Game results, but making fun of Xenu = 100% comedy.

[ravuya]

Just ask Salman Rushdie. People love it when you criticize their religion. Maybe it would be okay he we put up a screen at the start saying the game was developed by people of many faiths etc etc, please don't bomb us.

[shinygerbil]

We just need to make them faux-promotional games, like, say, The Zoo Race.

[Shoot-em-upper]

We just need to make them faux-promotional games, like, say, The Zoo Race.

But that would just make it B-Games round 2.  We need a new contest, not a rehash of an old one.  Personally, I'd like to see either a competition for games based on awful webcomics, or a competition to see who can make the worst match-3 while being able to get it on a portal.

[Melly]

I just want a damn compo. I'm pumped!

[Stij]

ASCII versions of stuff you wouldn't expect to see in ASCII. Fighting games, shooters, etc.

Just an idea.

[Akhel]

ASCII versions of stuff you wouldn't expect to see in ASCII. Fighting games, shooters, etc.

Just an idea.

ASCII FPS