Warning: Game contains intense violence, very disturbing images, and very strong language throughout. Please use discretion when watching.
For these case studies, we will be looking at one specific game at a time (specifically its story), and hopefully I can guide you in how these games can actually deliver truth. Granted, they are by no means 100% true. I only wish to venerate games which tell a tale that borrows heavily from the Gospel, whether intentionally or unintentionally, in order to show you that there is more to video games than meets the eye.
Oh, and MAJOR SPOILERS for the entire game!
Games are meant to be played so if you want the full experience, I suggest you play it first before reading this!!!!
For these case studies, we will be looking at one specific game at a time (specifically its story), and hopefully I can guide you in how these games can actually deliver truth. Granted, they are by no means 100% true. I only wish to venerate games which tell a tale that borrows heavily from the Gospel, whether intentionally or unintentionally, in order to show you that there is more to video games than meets the eye.
Oh, and MAJOR SPOILERS for the entire game!
Games are meant to be played so if you want the full experience, I suggest you play it first before reading this!!!!
There was a pastor in my college years who told me, “The more you learn of The Holiness of God, the more you learn of just how sinful you really are.” It is a full circle; learning of God makes you learn the truth of yourself, and vice versa. It ultimately doesn't matter whether you learn the truth of yourself first or the truth of God first; what matters is that His grace becomes that much sweeter by the end.
It is a hard and sobering lesson to learn. I mean, I try constantly to be a good person—better, if I can help it. Like I said in the last blog post, I have always wanted to be a hero, and video games have let me live out that fantasy by vanquishing evil where it stands, against all odds.
I was a hero…
…but it was all in my head…
Ladies and gentlemen, I present Spec Ops: The Line by Yager Productions, a video game—a powerful video game--that simply reiterates a truth exhorted throughout the Bible…but I’m getting ahead of myself.
At first glance, this game is a run-of-the-mill shooter: not only did it take place in the present day alongside an enormous collection of other modern warfare games (which hit its peak when this game was released in 2012), the graphics are pretty standard for the time, the combat is fairly similar to everything else you could find on the market, and to top it off, the main character is voiced by Nolan North, one of the most commonly used voice actors for video games!
The game starts out very "in medias res" (fancy talk for “in the middle” of the action). This, too, is pretty standard for the genre. Many gamers simply “want to get to the action,” so most games give an explosive beginning and then provide backstory later.
This game follows suit. Without any explanation, you are given a turret to shoot down opposing helicopters. And we all oblige without batting an eyelash.
It is a hard and sobering lesson to learn. I mean, I try constantly to be a good person—better, if I can help it. Like I said in the last blog post, I have always wanted to be a hero, and video games have let me live out that fantasy by vanquishing evil where it stands, against all odds.
I was a hero…
…but it was all in my head…
Ladies and gentlemen, I present Spec Ops: The Line by Yager Productions, a video game—a powerful video game--that simply reiterates a truth exhorted throughout the Bible…but I’m getting ahead of myself.
At first glance, this game is a run-of-the-mill shooter: not only did it take place in the present day alongside an enormous collection of other modern warfare games (which hit its peak when this game was released in 2012), the graphics are pretty standard for the time, the combat is fairly similar to everything else you could find on the market, and to top it off, the main character is voiced by Nolan North, one of the most commonly used voice actors for video games!
The game starts out very "in medias res" (fancy talk for “in the middle” of the action). This, too, is pretty standard for the genre. Many gamers simply “want to get to the action,” so most games give an explosive beginning and then provide backstory later.
This game follows suit. Without any explanation, you are given a turret to shoot down opposing helicopters. And we all oblige without batting an eyelash.
(At 6:12 in the video, it says, "Special Guest: [your gamertag]" in the opening credits. More on this later)
You are Captain Martin Walker, leading a special operative team sent into Dubai to rescue any refugees and American soldiers still within the city.
Naturally, things go awry.
Your team is met with hostility…from the American soldiers within the city! You cannot reason with them. They fire at you…
…and you fire back!
American vs. American in an all-but-destroyed Dubai.
Eventually, you come across a soldier torturing a CIA agent. The agent dies and you are discovered by the soldier. This is the first of several choices that the game has you make. You can either shoot him or let him go (and have him warn more soldiers of your presence, causing more friendly fire in the process).
As you progress, you start to learn more about what atrocities were committed by the AWOL soldiers. They are painted as depraved madmen who have lost their way, beyond redemption.
They were supposed to help this city! Did they forget that?!
Walker and his crew then come up on a large battalion of soldiers and tanks encamped nearby. There is no way for them to cross, but luckily, there is a mortar near their position.
In many ways, the mortar is a staple in modern warfare games. And in my opinion, the reason is because it is a ton of fun! You get to feel incredibly powerful! You get to feel unstoppable!
But pride comes before the fall...
You are Captain Martin Walker, leading a special operative team sent into Dubai to rescue any refugees and American soldiers still within the city.
Naturally, things go awry.
Your team is met with hostility…from the American soldiers within the city! You cannot reason with them. They fire at you…
…and you fire back!
American vs. American in an all-but-destroyed Dubai.
Eventually, you come across a soldier torturing a CIA agent. The agent dies and you are discovered by the soldier. This is the first of several choices that the game has you make. You can either shoot him or let him go (and have him warn more soldiers of your presence, causing more friendly fire in the process).
As you progress, you start to learn more about what atrocities were committed by the AWOL soldiers. They are painted as depraved madmen who have lost their way, beyond redemption.
They were supposed to help this city! Did they forget that?!
Walker and his crew then come up on a large battalion of soldiers and tanks encamped nearby. There is no way for them to cross, but luckily, there is a mortar near their position.
In many ways, the mortar is a staple in modern warfare games. And in my opinion, the reason is because it is a ton of fun! You get to feel incredibly powerful! You get to feel unstoppable!
But pride comes before the fall...
This scene is still incredibly hard to bear...
Shortly after, Walker comes upon a radio and Colonel John Konrad, the leader of the troops in Dubai--the war hero--begins to talk and goad at Walker. Konrad justifies all he has done and condemns Walker to death.
In fact, he turns the whole situation into...well...a game, more or less. Konrad starts testing Walker and his morality.
For instance, the player comes upon an abandoned bridge with a soldier and a citizen dangling on a rope. Konrad then explains the situation: the citizen stole water, a scarce commodity, and a crime punishable by death, but the soldier went to apprehend him and killed his entire family. So now Konrad asks you to choose who deserves death.
Shortly after, Walker comes upon a radio and Colonel John Konrad, the leader of the troops in Dubai--the war hero--begins to talk and goad at Walker. Konrad justifies all he has done and condemns Walker to death.
In fact, he turns the whole situation into...well...a game, more or less. Konrad starts testing Walker and his morality.
For instance, the player comes upon an abandoned bridge with a soldier and a citizen dangling on a rope. Konrad then explains the situation: the citizen stole water, a scarce commodity, and a crime punishable by death, but the soldier went to apprehend him and killed his entire family. So now Konrad asks you to choose who deserves death.
(In case it is not clear, the video shows the player trying to outsmart Konrad by trying other alternatives, but all of them fail. He eventually concedes and chooses to kill the civilian).
The team eventually meets another CIA agent who is trying to destroy the last remaining water supply for Dubai, which would cripple the city and doom all of Konrad's forces. Walker agrees and helps.
Not only does Walker take out the water supply, but he also takes out the control tower, disrupting all communications.
"I hope Konrad was paying attention," Walker boasts to his team. He had won! He was victorious over Konrad and his vile schemes!
Suddenly, he has to shoot down several other helicopters that are trying to kill them (déjà vu, anyone?).
As Walker wakes up from the crash, he sees the tallest building in Duabi, the Burj Khalifa, on fire. He's hallucinating.
Konrad continues to chastise Walker throughout the hallucination.
"Do you feel like a hero yet?"
Walker ignores Konrad and goes to find his team. He finds Adams, who is beginning to not trust Walker. But then, they get a distress call from Lugo.
The team eventually meets another CIA agent who is trying to destroy the last remaining water supply for Dubai, which would cripple the city and doom all of Konrad's forces. Walker agrees and helps.
Not only does Walker take out the water supply, but he also takes out the control tower, disrupting all communications.
"I hope Konrad was paying attention," Walker boasts to his team. He had won! He was victorious over Konrad and his vile schemes!
Suddenly, he has to shoot down several other helicopters that are trying to kill them (déjà vu, anyone?).
As Walker wakes up from the crash, he sees the tallest building in Duabi, the Burj Khalifa, on fire. He's hallucinating.
Konrad continues to chastise Walker throughout the hallucination.
"Do you feel like a hero yet?"
Walker ignores Konrad and goes to find his team. He finds Adams, who is beginning to not trust Walker. But then, they get a distress call from Lugo.
Civilians killed your friend...
...and you fire back!
You were supposed to help this city! Did you forget that?!
"Do you feel like a hero yet?"
It is time to put a stop to the madness, so you and Adams march up to the tower where Konrad awaits, battling whatever remnants stand between you and the main antagonist of the game. Adams blames you for the death of Lugo and becomes incredibly distant. Nonetheless, he decides to sacrifice himself in order for you to get to Konrad.
As you enter the penthouse, a group of soldiers are there waiting for you. They say they surrender and that Konrad is "where he has always been...Upstairs waiting for you..."
At the top of the penthouse, the truth is revealed...
...and you fire back!
You were supposed to help this city! Did you forget that?!
"Do you feel like a hero yet?"
It is time to put a stop to the madness, so you and Adams march up to the tower where Konrad awaits, battling whatever remnants stand between you and the main antagonist of the game. Adams blames you for the death of Lugo and becomes incredibly distant. Nonetheless, he decides to sacrifice himself in order for you to get to Konrad.
As you enter the penthouse, a group of soldiers are there waiting for you. They say they surrender and that Konrad is "where he has always been...Upstairs waiting for you..."
At the top of the penthouse, the truth is revealed...
You wanted to be the hero. You wanted to be the good guy. So what did you do? You lied to yourself... You believed a made-up tale in order to justify your terrible actions: Konrad, the soldier and the citizen on the bridge, even the firing of the mortar!
I would like to point out that, if you watch the mortar scene again, the reflection of Captain Walker (you) can be seen in the monitor, reminding you of who actually unleashed hell on everyone.
In your attempt for glory, you end up harming so many people...
"You're no savior..."
And if this were a movie or a book, it would be so easy to simply point at Captain Walker and say, "You monster!" But the interactivity of games adds a unique twist. Remember, this game had a special guest featured in the opening credits: YOU!
One of the hardest truths of Christianity is the fact that you are depraved to the core. Not only have I fallen to sin, but I have fallen far, to the point of no return (as far as my own efforts go). I can try and justify myself all day long, with how good of a person I am compared to those people, or the good intentions I had going in, or perhaps even that I won't make this mistake again... it is all just lies to make myself feel better.
And Christianity shows the ugly truth.
Now, there are lots of works of art that depict the depravity of man. That tends to be a subject many people see, regardless of religious belief. In fact, one of the biggest games in recent memory was a game called The Last of Us. It, too, speaks of how evil humankind can be; the game goes one step further and, in some sense, claims that humanity is not worth saving because of this.
But what makes Spec Ops: The Line different than other depressing art is that this game offers one miniscule, but essential element at the very end.
Hope
You have two main choices at the end of this game: kill yourself because the truth is too much to bear or live with the truth, however hard that might be.
If you choose to live, Konrad says a very interesting statement...
"After everything you've done, you can still go home..."
Like the prodigal son when he has nothing left. "I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants'" (Luke 15:18-19, ESV).
Later, a rescue team of marines come and scout the entire ruined city of Dubai looking for you. They are willing to lead you home...
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him..." (Luke 15:20, ESV).
The more you learn of how sinful you really are, the more you learn of the Holiness of God and just how powerful His grace actually is.
Although it is hard to watch (and even harder to play), I believe Spec Ops: The Line is a great video game that uses intense violence to remind us of our depravity. And more importantly--thankfully--that there is more to the story then our shame. The game adds a dose of hope for healing, restoration, and redemption at the very end for a man who has all but died.
No matter how far you fall, just remember...
"After everything you've done, you can still go home..."
"For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found." (Luke 15:24, ESV).
I would like to point out that, if you watch the mortar scene again, the reflection of Captain Walker (you) can be seen in the monitor, reminding you of who actually unleashed hell on everyone.
In your attempt for glory, you end up harming so many people...
"You're no savior..."
And if this were a movie or a book, it would be so easy to simply point at Captain Walker and say, "You monster!" But the interactivity of games adds a unique twist. Remember, this game had a special guest featured in the opening credits: YOU!
One of the hardest truths of Christianity is the fact that you are depraved to the core. Not only have I fallen to sin, but I have fallen far, to the point of no return (as far as my own efforts go). I can try and justify myself all day long, with how good of a person I am compared to those people, or the good intentions I had going in, or perhaps even that I won't make this mistake again... it is all just lies to make myself feel better.
And Christianity shows the ugly truth.
Now, there are lots of works of art that depict the depravity of man. That tends to be a subject many people see, regardless of religious belief. In fact, one of the biggest games in recent memory was a game called The Last of Us. It, too, speaks of how evil humankind can be; the game goes one step further and, in some sense, claims that humanity is not worth saving because of this.
But what makes Spec Ops: The Line different than other depressing art is that this game offers one miniscule, but essential element at the very end.
Hope
You have two main choices at the end of this game: kill yourself because the truth is too much to bear or live with the truth, however hard that might be.
If you choose to live, Konrad says a very interesting statement...
"After everything you've done, you can still go home..."
Like the prodigal son when he has nothing left. "I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants'" (Luke 15:18-19, ESV).
Later, a rescue team of marines come and scout the entire ruined city of Dubai looking for you. They are willing to lead you home...
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him..." (Luke 15:20, ESV).
The more you learn of how sinful you really are, the more you learn of the Holiness of God and just how powerful His grace actually is.
Although it is hard to watch (and even harder to play), I believe Spec Ops: The Line is a great video game that uses intense violence to remind us of our depravity. And more importantly--thankfully--that there is more to the story then our shame. The game adds a dose of hope for healing, restoration, and redemption at the very end for a man who has all but died.
No matter how far you fall, just remember...
"After everything you've done, you can still go home..."
"For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found." (Luke 15:24, ESV).