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Author Topic: Games: Pagan values in video (and other) games  (Read 4491 times)

Sefiru

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Re: Pagan values in video (and other) games
« Reply #15 on: March 09, 2017, 06:28:46 pm »
Quote from: Sobekemiti;203530
Yeah, look, I'm not crash hot at RTS, either, but I get those sort of games. I like them. Even if I am terrible at strategy.


Heh, for me it's not the strategy that's the problem (I <3 Final Fantasy Tactics) but the 'Real time' part. I apparently cannot think fast enough for even Zelda; I could never get past the first boss, heck I could barely reach the boss after dozens of tries. Thank goodness for Youtube, really.
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Sefiru

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Re: Pagan values in video (and other) games
« Reply #16 on: March 09, 2017, 06:30:08 pm »
Quote from: darkhawk;203537

at the same time, mind, one of my ongoing projects is a visual novel type game that is heavily rooted in folklore and a particular bit of mysticism and related practice, and that's partly a theological project,

 
want!
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Dusk

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Re: Pagan values in video (and other) games
« Reply #17 on: March 09, 2017, 10:52:08 pm »
Quote from: Sefiru;203350
What do you think are some good examples of pagan themes in games?

This is very much on the "subtle" side of the spectrum, but I was thinking about this when I was playing Sunless Sea a while back, partially because of how subtle it is.

The lore of the game is very rich (it's a kind of steampunk, kind of Lovecraftian underground world spun off from Fallen London), but rather than have the gods be huge super-powered forces, you just see hints here and there, small enough hints that your character is unsure if the gods exist - you notice a shipmate has a circle of salt in his room as a mini-shrine, feeding a certain animal associated with a god might get that god's attention (which gets you the almost paradoxical message: "It's watching you; if It even exists"), if you're in a desperate situation you can sacrifice inventory as an offering in hope (but not guarantee) of safe passage, just to name a few - and I love how natural those hints feel, in a way, like I can genuinely picture a circle of salt being a mini-shrine to a protective sea god, and can relate to the sudden feeling of "someone is watching" when I inadvertently do something to catch the attention of a god, and that was so unexpectedly satisfying to see addressed in a fairly casual way.

And I love that even though sea monsters and devils and sentient rats are just a fact of life in this game, the game designers chose to create unknowable gods who are definitely there, but you wouldn't know it from first glance, and could play for hours and still only see a hint or two while on another play you could encounter the gods again and again. And apparently I have a lot of feelings about this, lol. Don't mind me. :whis:
« Last Edit: March 10, 2017, 07:47:56 pm by SunflowerP »
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Darkhawk

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Re: Pagan values in video (and other) games
« Reply #18 on: March 09, 2017, 11:02:25 pm »
Quote from: Sefiru;203554
want!

 
It'll be a bit!  I need to get the story laid out, get the bones into the system (learning the system), and then flesh it out!  (I'd been considering doing it JRPG style but maybe the visual novel is the better plan since it doesn't really have non-narrative combat?)  In any case, I intend to do it with a choice among three characters who play differently 'cos they have different skillsets.

Just... so many projects.  So little brain.
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Sobekemiti

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Re: Pagan values in video (and other) games
« Reply #19 on: March 09, 2017, 11:32:51 pm »
Quote from: Sefiru;203553
Heh, for me it's not the strategy that's the problem (I <3 Final Fantasy Tactics) but the 'Real time' part. I apparently cannot think fast enough for even Zelda; I could never get past the first boss, heck I could barely reach the boss after dozens of tries. Thank goodness for Youtube, really.

 
See, for me, I can work out the combat strategies because it's a whole army sort of thing. I can't figure that out with hand-to-hand stuff, which is why I'm bad at anything where I'm controlling only one character. But give me a whole army, and I'm good!
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Darkhawk

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Re: Pagan values in video (and other) games
« Reply #20 on: March 10, 2017, 11:43:50 am »
Quote from: Sefiru;203553
Heh, for me it's not the strategy that's the problem (I <3 Final Fantasy Tactics) but the 'Real time' part. I apparently cannot think fast enough for even Zelda; I could never get past the first boss, heck I could barely reach the boss after dozens of tries. Thank goodness for Youtube, really.

 
The only RTS I was ever any good at was Kohan/Kohan: Ahriman's Gift.  Which is based somewhat on Zoroastrianism/Persian mythos, if Wikipedia is to be trusted.
as the water grinds the stone
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we shine like stars    - Covenant, "Bullet"

Sefiru

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Re: Pagan values in video (and other) games
« Reply #21 on: March 10, 2017, 06:02:23 pm »
Quote from: Darkhawk;203565
(I'd been considering doing it JRPG style but maybe the visual novel is the better plan since it doesn't really have non-narrative combat?)


I recently finished playing Ace Attorney Investigations, which is a visual novel/adventure game hybrid, which worked really well for the subject. I guess it depends on what game engine you're planning to use, too.

Quote from: Darkhawk;203537
it's hard for me to point at things that are "pagan values" because that's such a nebulous term.


aaaaaaaaaaaand it belatedly occurs to me that I should have said "pagan themes" instead of "values".
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Darkhawk

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Re: Pagan values in video (and other) games
« Reply #22 on: March 10, 2017, 07:21:55 pm »
Quote from: Sefiru;203578
I recently finished playing Ace Attorney Investigations, which is a visual novel/adventure game hybrid, which worked really well for the subject. I guess it depends on what game engine you're planning to use, too.

 
I have RPGMaker, Ren'py, and TyranoBuilder.  So, y'know, you pays your money and you takes your chance. :P  (RPGMaker has the advantage of I can see it being much easier to build in optional sidequests, in the 'well, maybe you didn't go talk to the monk' variety.  But it being easier to do that one thing doesn't mean it's the right choice.)

Quote
aaaaaaaaaaaand it belatedly occurs to me that I should have said "pagan themes" instead of "values".


"Motifs", even.
as the water grinds the stone
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we shine like stars    - Covenant, "Bullet"

LadyDaemontus

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Re: Pagan values in video (and other) games
« Reply #23 on: December 02, 2017, 11:42:24 pm »
Last fall we had a thread here about pagan values in movies and TV, so I thought I'd start a similar thread about pagan themes in video games (and tabletop games too).

Sometimes they're fairly visible, like Final Fantasy with its elemental crystals and spells.

Sometimes it's subtle - like the Metal Gear series has an underlying theme of people losing touch with the powers of nature as they come to rely more on technology.

What do you think are some good examples of pagan themes in games?

I know others have already mentioned the Elder Scrolls, so I will skip that.

World of Warcraft is actually quite in-depth lore wise. Each culture and race has their own unique perspective on life, and what it means for them. Spirituality and Arcane knowledge also work intricately into the lore. For instance, as a player, when you hit Legion Quest areas, places like High Mountain actually require you to go through trials, to prove yourself to the tribes AND their higher powers. I can mention more but in case someone hasn't purchased Legion yet, I will not because of spoilers.

But in previous expansions, the blood elves and night elves, the trolls and many of the NPCs you encounter all have interesting lore to them. In Draenor, Blizzard were not afraid to go dark. We had blood rituals, dark magics, sacrifices. The Horde has these 'pagan' pantheons and the Alliance have the Church of Light, or for the night elves, nature and Elune.

You have to play and experience the game to know what I mean, and study the Lore. Nobbell is pretty good Youtube on WOW Lore. :)

Darkhawk

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Re: Pagan values in video (and other) games
« Reply #24 on: December 02, 2017, 11:52:38 pm »


Oh hey since this thread was bumped -

There's this Kickstarter for a Diablo II-style game based in Hindu mythology and it looks be-a-u-tiful and needs pledges.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1343822689/raji-an-ancient-epic
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savveir

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Re: Pagan values in video (and other) games
« Reply #25 on: January 02, 2018, 11:20:43 pm »

What do you think are some good examples of pagan themes in games?

Kinda surprised no one mentioned The Witcher games, there are extensive references to Slavic mythology and folk tales.
"I give myself very good advice, but I very seldom follow it."
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Darkhawk

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Re: Pagan values in video (and other) games
« Reply #26 on: January 02, 2018, 11:27:16 pm »
Kinda surprised no one mentioned The Witcher games, there are extensive references to Slavic mythology and folk tales.

The Slavic-themed game I play (now you've reminded me :P ) is Thea: the Awakening.

http://muhagames.com/projects/the-awakening/
as the water grinds the stone
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Re: Pagan values in video (and other) games
« Reply #27 on: March 24, 2018, 07:41:47 pm »
Last fall we had a thread here about pagan values in movies and TV, so I thought I'd start a similar thread about pagan themes in video games (and tabletop games too).

Sometimes they're fairly visible, like Final Fantasy with its elemental crystals and spells.

Sometimes it's subtle - like the Metal Gear series has an underlying theme of people losing touch with the powers of nature as they come to rely more on technology.

What do you think are some good examples of pagan themes in games?


There was an rpg game called Shadow Hearts: Covenant for the PS2.  All 72 Goetic demons made an appearance as “crests” which were hidden throughout the game, and once discovered each one granted the player a powerful magickal ability in battle.  In addition to this, the main antagonists make “soul pacts” with powerful demon gods such as Asmodeus and Astaroth who grant them godlike power.   These archdemons eventually consume their vessels and manifest on earth in monstrous forms, but are ultimately defeated by the main protagonist, Yuri, who himself can wield the elements by taking the form of demons in battle to defeat his enemies. 

The entire purpose of his quest is to reverse the effects of a curse placed on him by a priest who, during a fight at the beginning of the game, pierces Yuri’s heart with a divine artifact that afflicts him with a curse which slowly eats away at his soul and devours his memories... but eventually Yuri finds himself involved in a greater conflict involving demons and wars and magick and people doing what they do worst.  It was a badass game, a rare 10/10.



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𒊩𒆪  𒂔𒇸𒀝  𒄿𒈨

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