Left Behind Games ordained with Big Huge Games engine
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Dec 7th 2006 at 4:55AM }
Gamespot has an interview with Left Behind Games' CEO Troy Lyndon -- whose game, Left Behind: Eternal Forces, they gave a 3.4 to -- about the upcoming sequel to Left Behind and expansion pack for the original game. For the sequel Lyndon says they've acquired the rights to use Big Huge Games' RTS engine. Big Huge Games is the company behind the Rise of Nations titles. In the interview Lyndon discusses the criticism the Christian based game has received from religious leaders; however, this shift to a completely different game engine is quite dramatic for the company. Left Behind: Eternal Forces cost $27 million and the engine was built from scratch, but he says, "We have specially built our game in such a manner that the technology behind it is separate from what makes it work as an RTS. Accordingly, we can change from one engine to another without a complete rewrite of the code." With the licensing deal Left Behind's sequel will have some technical staff from Big Huge Games to assist in development. Let us pray that it's a better game. The sequel will be out in 2008.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
DiRT @ Dec 7th 2006 6:38AM
"I don't believe that government should be involved in articulating what we do, but I think we need to crack down harder on people that allow kids to play games that are Mature without parental consent, if there is a way to do that. But politicians just take the whole thing and blow it out of proportion. There's something a lot worse in the world--pornography on the Internet--that kids have access to. It's a lot more damaging I think to the sexual development of a kid than seeing some cartoon violence in a game. But because it's politically correct to speak out about a video game, they'll do that and ignore this issue of kids having access to pornography literally in 30 seconds or less if they want it on the Internet."
Amazing. Most people will mock him because of his faith, but he seems like one of the smartest guys in the business who can articulate a good point.
John @ Dec 7th 2006 7:38AM
Dear Lord, please let the next game suck more than this one.
konajinx @ Dec 7th 2006 8:29AM
I gave this stinky pile of tripe 1 out of 5 stars in my own official review.
NeoteriX @ Dec 7th 2006 8:30AM
"Amazing. Most people will mock him because of his faith, but he seems like one of the smartest guys in the business who can articulate a good point."
I remain unconvinced. He brushes off concerns about game violence without any kind of supporting evidence aside from "I think kids are smart enough..." Yet all of a sudden, porn is "damaging to a child's sexual development".
This guy should be a politician instead of a game developer, in the way that he can turn criticisms of his work and direct it towards something we can all uncritically hate. Porn is the new Terrorism. Have at thee!
Sid Icarus @ Dec 7th 2006 10:15AM
Please Dod, come take your dumbfounded dipshits with you now or I will start taking a hatchet to their heads myself.
Christians are simpleminded folk; most of them will chase after laser pointers. Tust me, its hours of drunk fun.
Sid Icarus @ Dec 7th 2006 2:19PM
Hummmm, I didint type Dod... I can be sure I said god. Is there freaking word filter here...?
Sid Icarus @ Dec 7th 2006 10:18AM
Hummmm, I didint type Dod... I can be sure I said god. Is there freaking word filter here...?
Vasahond @ Dec 7th 2006 10:36AM
Wow, that is by far the most absurd (not to mention ignorant) thing I have ever heard. For future reference, Christians aren't a species of cat, and you're extremely immature and uninformed. Do society a favor and throw yourself off a cliff. Thanks.
crono141 @ Dec 7th 2006 10:45AM
"Christians are simpleminded folk"
Yeah, totally man. I mean gallileo was one dumb shithead. Don't ge me started on Copernicus, or Einstein, or Alexander Graham Bell. Morons, all of them!
Oh, this again?! @ Dec 7th 2006 10:57AM
Every mention of religion on Joystiq turns into a flamewar and trollfest. All other common channels of conflict have their own area. (the __fanboy.com line)
Can we expect to see a www.jesusfanboy.com soon?
Anthriel @ Dec 7th 2006 11:02AM
Uh, I don't know about you, but as far as I'm concerned, sex is way more natural and harmless than violence.
In fact, if there wouldn't be some subsection of porn mixed with violence (rape, S&M, guro for those unfortunate enough to know of it), I would be unconvinced that porn is actually harmful at all.
And I'm saying that as an Asexual.
Gonzo @ Dec 7th 2006 11:39AM
Last time I checked Einstein was Jewish; Zionist to be percise. And no it doesn't have anything to do with the Matrix.
I think it was more than the engine that made this a crappy game. Most people don't like being preached to, especially through their video games. That and this whole christian "the world is coming to and end" bs is getting beyond pathetic.
I live in NYC where the only people who actually (admit to) believe that the “Rapture” is coming are homeless folks and winos. With them I can understand: If I had hit rock bottom, I might hope the the end was near too. That’s why they’ve been doing that for as long as I can remember. But have things gotten so bad in this country that a majority of people are looking forward to the end of it all? I have to admit the apocolypse has gotten more colorfull. After the sermons urging us to repent (applied by magic marker to cardboard on the laundry-cart/home of the houseless guy by work) in brown and black, I almost welcome the crappy games.
When I consider who’s going to be “Raptured” (assuming that God really wants all these nuts and winos), I think I’ll stay here on earth with all the demons, canibbals, and my favorite: the raining frogs.
“Don’t you know there ain no devil,
only God when he’s drunk.”
-Tom Waits, Heart Attack and Vine
SJR @ Jan 3rd 2007 2:42AM
There has been alot of misleading information spun throughout the public and media regarding Left Behind Eternal Forces game. I encourage you to visit www.menofgod.us & download a trial version. I believe the first hand experience will allow you the opportunity to judge for yourself and put these rumors to a rest.
Here is a statement from the CEO, Troy Lyndon, to clarify some of the misconceptions and propaganda:
LEFT BEHIND: Eternal Forces
A PC Game
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY endorses our game. Read below to find out why!
Our game DOES NOT encourage killing.
Our game is NOT anti-Semitic.
Our game is NOT anti-Muslim or anti-Islamic.
It is anti-EVIL! The ultimate bad-guy is the Antichrist who wants to eliminate all faiths and all religions, except his and he is deceiving the entire world.
Our game does NOT teach the pre-tribulation theology of the book series, except that this worldview is utilized as a FICTIONAL backdrop of the game.
In the past several days, numerous people have been and continue to spread misinformation about the game.
Our game is the first game ever to encourage the use of PRAYER and WORSHIP as the most effective means to resolve conflict.
Physical warfare is discouraged as the LEAST EFFECTIVE means for resolving conflict…and a gamer loses points for using a gun.
This is the world’s first high-quality inspirational game which intends to model positive behavior by discouraging physical warfare.
Please play the game for yourself and help us to get out the TRUTH.
In an industry which creates so much gratuitous violence and gore, LEFT BEHIND: Eternal Forces presents a healthy alternative. We need your help to get the word out!
PLAY THE GAME and find out for yourself that this game is about the battle of good versus evil.
Here are a few things said by others:
- The Anti-Defamation League, although they speak out against the book theology, says “Conversion to Christianity in the game is not depicted as forcible in nature, and violence is not rewarded in the game.”
- AOL says it is a “Positive Moral Message”
- Focus on the Family says “Finally! A game Mom and Dad can play with Junior”
- Concerned Women for America says “A game we can wholeheartedly recommend!”
- Wired Magazine “Few are as ambitious and polished as this PC title.”
- ArsTechnica.com “This is a game that Christian parents can buy their kids, and one that Christian kids can play themselves without any guilt about "questionable content."”
- Women of Faith says “In an industry that is full of destruction with no hope, the LEFT BEHIND game
- Clint Thomas from Chaos Theory says “For years we’ve been telling kids what to run from and not what to run to, until now!”
Should you have any concerns about this game, please go to the contact us page on our website at www.leftbehindgames.com and we’ll do our best to connect with you.
Sincerely,
Troy Lyndon
CEO, Left Behind Games Inc.