Can Christian Artists work for Game Companies (Riot Games, Ubisoft, EA, etc.)?

[Greninja]

Hi! I'm Brian and I'm a multimedia artist from the Philippines. I'm actually a new member here. I came across this website after looking for answers to my dilemma.

I'm in the part of my college degree course where I need to decide what I will be focusing on, such as graphic design, animation, film production, and game development. I guess you already know what I've been considering as an option. Game development is such a big dream for me, especially working as a splash artist, concept artist, and character designer for Riot. However, I think it would go against my faith and stand as a Christian because I know that everything we do should glorify God (Col 3:23). I would be a hypocrite if I would not admit that video games are also part of the devil's schemes to distract us from worshipping and glorifying God. Well, if we use it moderately, it's not bad; after all, our God is not a killjoy. But what do you guys think, should I give up my dream and look for an alternative profession that's more God-glorifying or should I pursue my dreams and look for a way for it to be God-glorifying?

Hoping you guys could help me. Thanks a lot!

 

[The Mighty Gerbil]

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www.cgalliance.org

While we ask God's will in all things as we are sinners living in a sinful world we have to interact with it. In that case I ask are my actions profitable to God or are my actions going with the world. Ask not only are my actions sinful, encouraging sin in myself, but are they doing that in others? 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 is applicable to playing video games, as well as making them.

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, 26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”[a]

27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. 29 I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

Game companies also aren't created equal. No Christian should ever work on a sequel to Gone Home, a Porn game, or a game heretical to God, I can only see those games being destructive. While things like, IDK, Tetris at least seem fairly innocuous and harmless (though technically one can still get addicted or use anything as an idol). Still if your actions within the company aren't serving God spending your time on even the most harmless game remains un-profitable.

Personally I have little interest working at a secular game company. It's true you can still evangelize there, representing Christ and influencing behavior, but that is applicable to any job. Rather my point is, unlike a service job, if I had the skills to create a story, in any media, I'd want to go whole hog and make my own without the compromises of working at another company. Still I don't know what content Riot games include or what would be tasked of you. If your work, or the profit from it, isn't going against God one could always start there and leave if a conflict of interest arises later. You just have to have your priorities straight in holding God highest so you aren't unwilling to abandon all you've worked for, and on, if the time comes. That is why it is written if you want something to last build it on the Rock, God Matthew 7:24-27 .

I myself have made several TF2 maps. The primary goal for which was to accrue game making experience as well as provide content for our Christian server. TF2 is not perfect in it's content, but, without it many Christians would have never met or gathered together online. The same can be said for Overwatch, however, with it I feel only guilt for having bought it considering some of it's values. A single action can be both profitable and destructive, and, as all things are imperfect, an unknown ratio exists on some things. There is a certain subjectivity, uncertainty, in what we mere mortals do. Yet on other things I am quite certain there is not only no profit in them, but they are destructive, and that no Christian should support them, by playing, or making.

In short it is not games or game companies but the content within them we should be wary of and that is an assessment of each specific instance.

 

[PumpkinBread]

Do what you enjoy. or don't do what you can't compromise to do. it is exactly the reason why i gave up on gaming industry for now. You'll have to work your way up, but in this age, that will come with a cost often. And that, I cannot do. 'Tis why I work as a delivery man. BUT, I'm not saying it's impossible to work in the gaming industry. I'm just saying it'll take a miracle of God to be in a suitable position. You can't do it on your own. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto thee."