Comments on: Left Behind: The Game (The Response) http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/01/11/left-behind-the-game-the-response/ by Hemant Mehta Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:37:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Katie Molnar http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/01/11/left-behind-the-game-the-response/#comment-97207 Katie Molnar Sun, 02 Dec 2007 13:26:56 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/01/11/left-behind-the-game-the-response/#comment-97207 I find it hard to be intimidated or angered by poorly made video games. Heck, Car companies now often release video games that involve you driving their new car around on some race track, hitting impossible speeds and miraculously never damaging the paint job when you ram it into a wall. America's Army was made to get people interested in the Army of course, and while it was sort of one-dimensional, it was pretty darn fun. So, when some crappy Xian "convert the heathens!!1" game comes out and its authors immediately toss all worthwhile opinions out as rubbish, I have little reason to be impressed, let alone scared. I mean, really. Companies *advertise* with brand new games given out for free of far higher caliber than this nonsense. I can't imagine harm coming from an organization that can't even make a decent video game. -k8 I find it hard to be intimidated or angered by poorly made video games. Heck, Car companies now often release video games that involve you driving their new car around on some race track, hitting impossible speeds and miraculously never damaging the paint job when you ram it into a wall.

America’s Army was made to get people interested in the Army of course, and while it was sort of one-dimensional, it was pretty darn fun.

So, when some crappy Xian “convert the heathens!!1″ game comes out and its authors immediately toss all worthwhile opinions out as rubbish, I have little reason to be impressed, let alone scared.

I mean, really. Companies *advertise* with brand new games given out for free of far higher caliber than this nonsense. I can’t imagine harm coming from an organization that can’t even make a decent video game.

-k8

]]> By: Justin http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/01/11/left-behind-the-game-the-response/#comment-4444 Justin Tue, 23 Jan 2007 05:22:51 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/01/11/left-behind-the-game-the-response/#comment-4444 I am a Christian and a Pacifist. The LB Games "spam" insinuates that there's something wrong with this. This is the same thinking that led to the crusades and the inquisition. Doubtless, this is where these people want to lead us again. This game is scary - not just another "magic" game - these people have a plan for world domination in the name of Christ. They are on the warpath - get ready. I am a Christian and a Pacifist. The LB Games “spam” insinuates that there’s something wrong with this. This is the same thinking that led to the crusades and the inquisition. Doubtless, this is where these people want to lead us again.

This game is scary – not just another “magic” game – these people have a plan for world domination in the name of Christ. They are on the warpath – get ready.

]]> By: Alex G. http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/01/11/left-behind-the-game-the-response/#comment-4071 Alex G. Thu, 18 Jan 2007 17:05:29 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/01/11/left-behind-the-game-the-response/#comment-4071 It's spam. Nothing better than the V1agra comments we get to our blogs sometimes. I've written a letter to the C.E.O. of Left Behind Games and I'm also going to write my representatives. Next I'll be getting posts produced by Pepsi and Coca Cola. This needs to be stopped now. It’s spam. Nothing better than the V1agra comments we get to our blogs sometimes. I’ve written a letter to the C.E.O. of Left Behind Games and I’m also going to write my representatives.

Next I’ll be getting posts produced by Pepsi and Coca Cola. This needs to be stopped now.

]]> By: Holly http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/01/11/left-behind-the-game-the-response/#comment-3983 Holly Wed, 17 Jan 2007 11:29:59 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/01/11/left-behind-the-game-the-response/#comment-3983 I received the same post from a Left Behind employee today on my blog. I found the post to be even more infuriating, as it suggests to me that the people at Left Behind may have no idea why we are all so offended by it. Disgusting. I received the same post from a Left Behind employee today on my blog. I found the post to be even more infuriating, as it suggests to me that the people at Left Behind may have no idea why we are all so offended by it. Disgusting.

]]> By: False Prophet http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/01/11/left-behind-the-game-the-response/#comment-3524 False Prophet Fri, 12 Jan 2007 16:08:42 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/01/11/left-behind-the-game-the-response/#comment-3524 Qrazy Qat: <blockquote>And on the spyware it installs on your machine: It tracks your every move: [snip] </blockquote> So Left Behind Games, Inc. is the Mark of the Beast? That's the funniest thing I've heard all day. Fundies have no concept of irony. Qrazy Qat:

And on the spyware it installs on your machine:

It tracks your every move: [snip]

So Left Behind Games, Inc. is the Mark of the Beast? That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all day. Fundies have no concept of irony.

]]> By: Nance Confer http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/01/11/left-behind-the-game-the-response/#comment-3523 Nance Confer Fri, 12 Jan 2007 14:40:56 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/01/11/left-behind-the-game-the-response/#comment-3523 Some of the Christian overtones can get a bit creepy, but just think of it as a fantasy game with magic and it’s not so bad. *** That's from the G4 review. Seems to apply to a lot of these games. Not that I play them. DS does, though. And he manages to play while ignoring a lot of the mystical garbage in them. From what I understand anyway. But since the game play in this one seems to suck, if you ignore the magic part, what's left? I'll urge DS to save his money. Not that he's temped anyway. Or awake! :) Nance Some of the Christian overtones can get a bit creepy, but just think of it as a fantasy game with magic and it’s not so bad.
***
That’s from the G4 review. Seems to apply to a lot of these games. Not that I play them. DS does, though. And he manages to play while ignoring a lot of the mystical garbage in them. From what I understand anyway.

But since the game play in this one seems to suck, if you ignore the magic part, what’s left? I’ll urge DS to save his money. Not that he’s temped anyway. Or awake! :)

Nance

]]> By: valhar2000 http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/01/11/left-behind-the-game-the-response/#comment-3520 valhar2000 Fri, 12 Jan 2007 11:46:02 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/01/11/left-behind-the-game-the-response/#comment-3520 <blockquote>Who the hell are these CREDIBLE sources? Is the entire gaming media somehow dismissed as non-credible, en masse?</blockquote> Of course they are! Let's reason through this: Left Behind is a Christian game, therefore it is GOOD. Since it is GOOD, criticism of it is BAD, and since criticism of it is BAD, it is the product of Satan, so we should ignore it.

Who the hell are these CREDIBLE sources? Is the entire gaming media somehow dismissed as non-credible, en masse?

Of course they are! Let’s reason through this: Left Behind is a Christian game, therefore it is GOOD. Since it is GOOD, criticism of it is BAD, and since criticism of it is BAD, it is the product of Satan, so we should ignore it.

]]> By: Prokop http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/01/11/left-behind-the-game-the-response/#comment-3450 Prokop Fri, 12 Jan 2007 01:50:37 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/01/11/left-behind-the-game-the-response/#comment-3450 Who the hell are these CREDIBLE sources? Is the entire gaming media somehow dismissed as non-credible, en masse? http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/928956.asp?q=Left%20Behind Who the hell are these CREDIBLE sources? Is the entire gaming media somehow dismissed as non-credible, en masse?

http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/928956.asp?q=Left%20Behind

]]> By: spin sycle http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/01/11/left-behind-the-game-the-response/#comment-3398 spin sycle Thu, 11 Jan 2007 20:58:42 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/01/11/left-behind-the-game-the-response/#comment-3398 here's the best review of all off of G4 (used to be tech TV) X-play: http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/reviews/1367/Left_Behind_Eternal_Forces.html here’s the best review of all off of G4 (used to be tech TV) X-play:

http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/reviews/1367/Left_Behind_Eternal_Forces.html

]]> By: QrazyQat http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/01/11/left-behind-the-game-the-response/#comment-3397 QrazyQat Thu, 11 Jan 2007 20:39:04 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/01/11/left-behind-the-game-the-response/#comment-3397 Besides the reviews (most find the game boring, with poor graphics and bad game controls) you also get spyware with your game (including the demo, apparently); see below. I see the LB promoter has claimed that the game isn't violent, even though you're encouraged to kill those you cannot convert, because it's possible to play to the end without firing a shot -- which is also technically true of a game like Tomb Raider 4 (but just try it). Some review bits: <i> Sadly, I must report that the real problem with Left Behind is that it’s a tiresome, glitchy bore. And believe me, I had high hopes. Once running, Left Behind is buggy. The plodding missions through tightly circumscribed Manhattan are numbingly repetitive. The commands are clunky. The graphics are dated. </i> And on the spyware it installs on your machine: <i> It tracks your every move: * How often you play * The duration of each game session * What time of the day you play * Where you go in the game (Times Square, Soho, Chinatown, and the United Nations Building are some of the locations available) * It also knows where your computer is located and taps into your personal information. (Source: Arstechnica.com) * And most importantly: it has control over the product placements and video ads viewed during gameplay. (Source: Talk2Action.org) Now from this information can be extrapolated the following: Your home city can be gotten, without a warrant, from your IP alone, and in many cases the name of the account holder as well. With name and city it is ridiculously easy to get home address and phone number. From the time and session length, they can profile your daily habits, possibly your work schedule. From your "non-personal PC hardware information", your average income can be revealed, based on the average market value of your system components. In many cases the stores you shop at can be revealed through the vendor ID embedded in hardware. </i> The spyware-relevant part of the EULA: <i> By installing and/or using the Game, You shall be deemed to consent to 1) being served Advertising in conjunction with the Game; and 2) the Non-Personal Information being shared with and by the aforesaid parties. As part of this notice and consent, you shall also be deemed to consent to Double Fusion's privacy policy with respect to the use of your Non-Personal Information (which privacy policy can be viewed at http://www.doublefusion.com/privacy.htm) and Licensor's privacy policy (which can be viewed at http://www.leftbehindgames.com/pages/privacy_policy.htm). Please note: In some jurisdictions, IP addresses may be regarded as personally identifiable information. By installing and/or using the Software Product and any Updates thereto, you acknowledge and agree to Licensor's collection and use of your IP address in accordance with the above-referenced terms and conditions for non-Personal Information even though your ip address may currently be viewed as or may be held in the future to be personally identifiable information.</i> Besides the reviews (most find the game boring, with poor graphics and bad game controls) you also get spyware with your game (including the demo, apparently); see below. I see the LB promoter has claimed that the game isn’t violent, even though you’re encouraged to kill those you cannot convert, because it’s possible to play to the end without firing a shot — which is also technically true of a game like Tomb Raider 4 (but just try it).

Some review bits:


Sadly, I must report that the real problem with Left Behind is that it’s a tiresome, glitchy bore. And believe me, I had high hopes.

Once running, Left Behind is buggy. The plodding missions through tightly circumscribed Manhattan are numbingly repetitive. The commands are clunky. The graphics are dated.

And on the spyware it installs on your machine:

It tracks your every move:

* How often you play

* The duration of each game session

* What time of the day you play

* Where you go in the game (Times Square, Soho, Chinatown, and the United Nations Building are some of the locations available)

* It also knows where your computer is located and taps into your personal information. (Source: Arstechnica.com)

* And most importantly: it has control over the product placements and video ads viewed during gameplay. (Source: Talk2Action.org)

Now from this information can be extrapolated the following:
Your home city can be gotten, without a warrant, from your IP alone, and in many cases the name of the account holder as well. With name and city it is ridiculously easy to get home address and phone number. From the time and session length, they can profile your daily habits, possibly your work schedule. From your “non-personal PC hardware information”, your average income can be revealed, based on the average market value of your system components. In many cases the stores you shop at can be revealed through the vendor ID embedded in hardware.

The spyware-relevant part of the EULA:


By installing and/or using the Game, You shall be deemed to consent to 1) being served Advertising in conjunction with the Game; and 2) the Non-Personal Information being shared with and by the aforesaid parties. As part of this notice and consent, you shall also be deemed to consent to Double Fusion’s privacy policy with respect to the use of your Non-Personal Information (which privacy policy can be viewed at http://www.doublefusion.com/privacy.htm) and Licensor’s privacy policy (which can be viewed at http://www.leftbehindgames.com/pages/privacy_policy.htm). Please note: In some jurisdictions, IP addresses may be regarded as personally identifiable information. By installing and/or using the Software Product and any Updates thereto, you acknowledge and agree to Licensor’s collection and use of your IP address in accordance with the above-referenced terms and conditions for non-Personal Information even though your ip address may currently be viewed as or may be held in the future to be personally identifiable information.

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