Level 5: Resident Evil: Degeneration

If I'm ever going to talk about Resident Evil on this blog, what better time to do it than on Halloween?

Enthusiastic Gamer: "Yay, zombies!"

First, let me say that the Resident Evil series is a good example of what I'm talking about when I say that not all of the games I mention on this blog or in my book are necessarily for everyone.  Families should rightly be concerned about the content of the games they welcome into their household, and the violence that is present in the RE games is not for the casual or squeamish gamer.

That said, I think it's only fair to point out when games aimed at older audiences manage to nail a solid point of spiritual truth.

Enter Resident Evil: Degeneration.

Befuddled Gamer: "But Degeneration is a movie, not a game!"

True, Degeneration is technically a CG film based on a series of games, not a game in its own right.  Still, since it's so closely related to the games, I think it's worth discussing here.

I am no expert on zombie films, but I know enough to say that Degeneration is about as close to family-friendly as you're ever going to get with this genre.  Yes, it's a bit violent, and there is cursing here and there, but these elements are relatively light when compared with the competition.

So why am I talking about it on the blog?  My reason is simple, and it can be summed up in a single line of dialogue taken from the film.

"If you don't try to save one life, you'll never save any."

There is a sharp line drawn in Degeneration between the self-centered characters who are only interested in their own survival (epitomized by a US senator) and the selfless heroes who will risk it all for the sake of one individual (epitomized by Leon Kennedy, veteran of more than a few zombie attacks).

Leon utters this stirring line of dialogue during a key sequence in the film.  I think it's an awesome expression of the value of each and every human life and a strong encouragement to "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" (Matthew 7:12).

Looking out for number one is a natural reaction when things get tough, so it takes a special kind of person to hold on to his or her humanity in those situations.  It doesn't have to be a zombie attack, of course!

Jesus once said: "What is the price of five sparrows--two copper coins?  Yet God does not forget a single one of them.  And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.  So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows" (Luke 12:6-7).

In other words, every human life is precious to God.  If you don't value one, you don't value any.

Summary: every human life is worth saving.  Where did I learn that?  From a zombie movie based on a video game!

Who would have thought?

Level 4: KOKOMO-CON!

Greetings to you, fellow geeks, geekettes, and curious observers.  Although I had intended to post regularly to this blog on Friday evenings, I broke that streak this weekend in order to bring you a report straight from the frontlines of KOKOMO-CON, a new pop culture convention held in my hometown of Kokomo, IN at the city's Event Center.

Compared to Gen Con's 30,000 or Comic-Con's 130,000, KOKOMO-CON's attendance was relatively modest, but considering that this was the first KOKOMO-CON and not that many people seemed to know about it in the population at large, it was well attended.  Once again, I donned my Link costume in order to hang out with my fellow geeks.

Though the emphasis at KOKOMO-CON was clearly comic books, many of the vendors represented the other corners of geekdom as well.  Books, art, toys, movies, and video games all had their presence at this show.  I couldn't resist playing a few minutes of Super Mario Bros. 3 with Angel from PwnEm.com.

I took several photos at the show, which you are welcome to view with this public Facebook link.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=42582&id=100000044474655&l=439d482ec5

I'll probably add a more permanent link to the album later.

I chose KOKOMO-CON as the focus of this week's post, because one of the things I hope to get across with my book and this blog is that gaming is more than just a refuge for antisocial dweebs.  We gamers (and we nerds in general) know how to party and make friends as well as anyone!

God said in Genesis 3, "It is not good for man to be alone."  There's nothing like that feeling you get when you're around people who understand and appreciate you, and it's all the better when they happen to share your interests.  I made several new acquaintances at KOKOMO-CON, and all of them helped to make the day worthwhile.

During the course of the afternoon, I participated in a costume contest.  There were maybe 15-20 contestants, most of whom had excellent costumes.  Although I did my best to wow the judges with my rendition of "Zelda's Lullaby" on the ocarina, the prize went to the amiable Mark LeMieux of Platypus Productions, who was dressed as the Mad Hatter.  It was a pleasure to make Mark's acquaintance, and I hope to see him at the next KOKOMO-CON or perhaps at next year's Gen Con!

Here's to the social and spiritual fellowship of the Brotherhood of Nerds!

Level 3: Book Description from Winged Lion Press

Still no word on an official release date for Virtuous Worlds, but I do have an interesting update on the publication front.  Professor James Thomas of Pepperdine University, author of Repotting Harry Potter and regular guest speaker at some of the country's largest Harry Potter conventions, has a new book coming out from Winged Lion Press just in time for the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 in the cinema.  The book will be titled Rowling Revisited and is being billed as a sequel to Dr. Thomas's earlier work.

What does this have to do with Virtuous Worlds?  As is common with many publishers, books from Winged Lion Press include a catalog of upcoming titles printed somewhere near the back of the volume.  Rowling Revisited will be the first book from WLP to feature an ad for Virtuous Worlds!

Here is the full text of the announcement that will be appearing in the back of Dr. Thomas's book:

<<<<<<<>>>>>>>

Virtuous Worlds: The Video Gamer’s Guide to Spiritual Truth (pub 2011)

John Stanifer

According to a recent report, there were 34.2 million units sold of video game hardware or "consoles" in 2009. This does not include much larger sales numbers for the actual games. Popular titles like Halo 3 and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess fly off shelves at a mind-blowing rate. John Stanifer, an avid gamer, goes beyond a general overview and shows readers specific parallels between Christian faith and the content of their favorite games. Written with wry humor (including a "heckler" who frequently pokes fun at the author) this book will appeal to gamers and non-gamers alike. Those unfamiliar with video games may be pleasantly surprised to find many elements in those "virtual worlds" that also qualify them as "virtuous worlds."
<<<<<<<>>>>>>>

Speaking as someone who has read Dr. Thomas's earlier book, I can say I'm very much looking forward to the new release (and not just because of a certain announcement in the back of the book).

Expecto Patronum!

Level 2: Warp Zone!

Last month marked the 25th anniversary of that godfather of all video game classics, Super Mario Bros.

*Cue wild applause and the clinking of many glasses of Dr. Pepper*

Sep. 13, 1985.  The year life began.  At least for Mario.  Eight days later, my life began quite literally in a hospital room in Terre Haute, IN.  I know, I know, TMI.

Gamers old and new who know SMB well will no doubt remember the many “warp zones” scattered throughout the game.

Non-gamer: “What’s a warp zone?”

Warp zones allowed players to skip big chunks of the game, jumping into the later (i.e. more advanced) levels.  Sometimes, that meant getting into things you weren’t prepared for.  For sure it meant missing out on some well-crafted video game artistry in the form of all those levels you were skipping over.

Heckler: “Get to the point.  What are you trying to say?”

Warp zones are everywhere in life.  You know that email that you saw in your junk folder the other day, the one advertising the one-of-a-kind, two-step, three-week program to your best body ever?

That was a warp zone.

How about that paper mill where you can choose from hundreds of A+ essays that will instantly turn your grade around in that tough English class, making it easier for you to elbow your way to the more advanced classes?

That's a warp zone, too.

We’re all tempted to use those warp zones from time to time, but in the end, the more satisfied gamer is the one who beats each level of the game one by one.  That’s the person who really deserves the mushroom…er, medal.

Proverbs says “wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time” (13:11).  It doesn’t have to be wealth, of course.  Taking shortcuts in anything is more often than not a recipe for disaster.

Okay, I admit it.  I used to love the warp zone in Super Mario Bros.  And don’t get me started on those warp whistles from Super Mario Bros 3.  I still get a kick out of whipping those out every once in a while.

But it’s really more fun to play the game through, isn’t it?

What do you think, gamers?  Were you (are you) a warp zone addict, or do you think it’s better to play the game level by level?

P.S.  For the more observant gamers out there, I realize that Mario was actually born in the arcade game Donkey Kong (although his name was actually Jumpman then).  But really, if it wasn’t for SMB, would the world still know who Mario is?  As far as I’m concerned, SMB is our friendly neighborhood plumber’s true debut.

Level 1: Start!

Welcome to the official blog for my book, Virtuous Worlds: The Video Gamer's Guide to Spiritual Truth, which will be published by Winged Lion Press sometime in the first quarter of 2011.  Please stay tuned for the exact release date.

The title pretty much says it all. The idea behind the book is to look for connections between real-world spiritual truths and video games. Though it is written primarily from a Christian perspective, I believe the book can be of use to a person of just about any background.

I hope you will join the discussion on this blog. I plan on adding more features and more content as time goes on. For now, please enjoy my album of photos from this year's Gen Con gaming convention in Indianapolis, IN. The green Link in the background photos and in most of the pictures in the album is me, just in case you were wondering.

To get a little discussion started, please feel free to reply to this post with a comment that answers the question(s): "What is your favorite video game and why?"  Bonus points for going beyond "it has great graphics" or "I just love it."  Why does that one title keep you coming back again and again?

Thanks for stopping by. Please contact me with any questions or comments you might have, and come back soon!