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Left Behind Games praises support

Publisher of Christian-themed RTS says "numerous ministries" have endorsed its game; <i>Left Behind</i> author calls it "the greatest invention...to reach this generation."

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"The greatest invention...to reach this generation."

The PC game Left Behind: Eternal Forces has been in the gaming headlines since just before its release--but unfortunately not for stellar gameplay or sales success. Left Behind, published by Left Behind Games, is a Christian-themed real-time strategy game for the PC, based on the popular novels of the same name written by authors Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins.

Several groups, including Christian and Islamic organizations, have slammed the game for promoting intolerance and violence against different faiths. However, in December, Left Behind Games CEO Troy Lyndon told GameSpot, "The reality is that everyone who is throwing stones, they literally have never played the game because literally 100 percent of their claims are bogus."

Lyndon's company released a statement today saying the Left Behind has "received accolades from a large coalition of church and ministry leaders." The statement points out that "numerous ministries," such as Focus on the Family, Women of Faith, Promise Keepers, and Concerned Women for America, have endorsed the game.

But the biggest praise came from LaHaye, who said, "This game is the greatest invention developed in my lifetime to reach this generation."

Left Behind Games is currently working on a Left Behind expansion pack and full-fledged sequel. For more information, read GameSpot's previous coverage.

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

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ravenheart33

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''For GOD so Loved The World That He Sent His ONLY Begotten SON , That WHOEVER Believes In HIM, Should Not PERISH, But Have EVERLASTING LIFE. John 3:16''. If you would just look around outside GOD has proved HIS existance ,You are proof of GOD'S existance ,and it really is sad that so many deny their own creator,Hopefully you'll know the truth before it's too late.

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Phelaidar

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Well, for ages a lot of books and pictures talk about sex... Maybe it's my new religion!

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Zifhael

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-bond22- no matter how well-proven based on the Bible his theories may be, they are only accurate to someone that believes that the Bible was divinely inspired - a Deist such as myself will believe that God doesn't interfere with the world, so the Bible couldn't have been divinely inspired, meaning that it was just written by a bunch of people who were either trying to serve their own agendas or were simply delusional - not that a lot of the morals of the Bible are bad or wrong, just simply not inspired by God directly

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cjcr_alexandru

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"the greatest invention...to reach this generation." :) That sentence makes me laugh every time I read it.

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Zifhael

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[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

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bond22

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If any of you people want to know the truth meaning which is right Creation or Evolution Kent Hovind has the answers He even debated three evolutionists and smoked their bacon! go to << LINK REMOVED >>

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theKSMM

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If LaHaye thinks that this game is the "greatest invention" he's ever seen, then he's obviously never played a next-gen game or watched a movie on his iPod or PSP.

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malkav11

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ithebigc - I think you will find that the majority of Christians accept the theory of evolution as currently presented by the scientific community. The Catholic church, for example, has issued a statement in support. You, like the people who totally reject any concept of evolution, are in a minority (although one that is too large for my liking.). I'm not going to get into the debate over which side is correct, as nobody's going to get convinced of anything and it's totally off topic.

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Riverwolf007

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If your agenda is completely evil, give the impression your agenda is completely good, people fall for that every time.

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Zifhael

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7_armageddon_7 - a couple of authors over a couple CENTURIES agreeing with each other over something as relatively common as believing in God is by NO means proof of God's existence - countless authors in the past few YEARS have agreed on things that have recently been either modified or completely disproved - by your argument you would have to believe in macroevolution, because of the sheer numbers of scientists who have written claims proving its existence

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Zifhael

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ithebigc - it took us HOW long to find the first fossils of ANYTHING again? so who knows how long it may take to find a missing link fossil if one exists, and even if we don't it doesn't disprove macroevolution - by your argument, if God exists, you think we would've found something directly proving his existence, not just something created by humans

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ithebigc

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sj420, what, you think that all Christians just don't believe in evolution? The majority of Christians DO believe in evolution, believe it or not. More specifically, microevolution. What we DON'T believe in is macroevolution. For those that are confused, microevolution is change in one species, while macroevolution is change from like...one species to another. (You know, like man evolved from monkeys). If there was macroevolution, you'd think we would've found some half man/monkey fossil by now, don't you?

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Ace513

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The spongebob thing was actually something taken out of context and he had never actually said he was gay Also not approving of some of the content in minor things like d&d and harry potter or having a different opinion then you hardly makes someone someone a "extreme fundamentalist nut". Dobson has probably done more good in this world then you will in your life.

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zootso2

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What a bunch of whiners.

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og8440

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"Wow, og8440 you really have no idea what your talking about do you? " o rly... Last time I checked, it was James Dobson who took the fight against Harry Potter, Pokemon and Dungeons and Dragons. I remember listening to his DnD talk on his radio show years ago. Oh and who could forget the Spongebob Squarepants controversy where he suggested Spongebob was gay Where exactly am I wrong about him being an extreme fundamentalist nut?

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eddymunch

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Great , now John Travolta will make a Battlefield Earth game?

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7_armageddon_7

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The principle of "macro" and "micro" evolution are valid argumnts when debating against the theory of evolution. Contrary to what many people believe, macroevolution, the evolving of a fish into a land animal, is simply impossible to prove because according to the theory these changes take place over a long period of time (millions of years). Therefore, these links that scientists have discovered are interspersed throughout millions and millions of years. And, also, many of the links between dinosaurs and birds were constructed from just a single bone (which happened to be that of a chicken in one case) or rather, the product of the human mind, which sees what it wants to see. Macroevolution is therefore a matter of belief (or faith) just as people have faith in God. I choose to place my faith in God rather than the non-proven phenomena of macroevolution (microevolution exists in the form of the many species in this world). Before you say the existence of God is impossible to prove, remember that the Bible was written throughout hundreds of years by different authors for each book, and that they all testify to believing in God and his existence. They are in fact witnesses (just like people are witnesses to a crime). Therefore, I believe what they have said and claim, and there is no reason why people who believe that should be persecuted or called "blinded".

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ThePhantomVI

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jessebaj "...If evolution were true there would be tons of "missing links" like half monkey half human (or any other hybrid type things). And if we evolved from monkeys why would monkeys still be around? We evolved away from them for a reason, to better ourselves (so science says...) and yet they are still here...?" There ARE "missing links" between reptiles and birds, between what became whales and what became dogs and even hooved mammals. There are "links" all over the place if you'd bother to look. And there are still other species of apes because they eveloved along a different path, one that better suited them. Our ancestors' needs involved gradually leaving the forsests, developing more complex communication, and greater use of tools. Try putting a modern human alone and naked in a jungle and tell me who the superior species is, chimp or man? Anyone who put up the weak arguments you do has obviously been too blinded by dogma to even do a cursory study of the subject.

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Ace513

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Wow, og8440 you really have no idea what your talking about do you?

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wrect

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Uncle!

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og8440

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"Not being familiar with those listed, are they fundamentalist right-wing christian organisations by chance?" Yes all of the organizations listed are right-wing fundies. I'm not familiar with some of the groups. I've heard of Promise Keepers, but I know Focus on the Family well. Dr James Dobson is the most influential person of that organization and is a total fundamentalist whack job who thinks anything from games, music, books, that doesn't revolve around Protestant or "sola sciptura" beliefs is of the devil.

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John_of_Fire

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Pooey_Mess- if evolution was proven fact then you would be able to reproduce it in a lab. Until then it is still the "theory of evolution." You believe that a theory that can't be proven is the absolute truth. Sure sounds like religion to me.

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MetaRidley42

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Demonjd138: "Well that's not saying much. It's reached, what, 2-3 people? Maybe if the gameplay isn't complete garbage next time, the sequel will be the new greatest invention to reach this generation." Ain't that the truth. I'm not saything that games like this are a bad idea, maybe someday we will get a good Christian video game..............but I doubt it.

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naisor

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ok, my bad... here's the link I mentioned before... << LINK REMOVED >>

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Pooey_Mess

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John_of_Fire, I guess you also think gravity is a religion too, then.

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naisor

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I really don't bash the game regarless if it is Christian, or boring, or if it has or not an agenda, or what ever. I'm really not concerned much in it, cause I haven't play it. But I think I won't play it just because I'm not interested at all. As a gamer, I'm not obligated to play each and every game in the market; at least in my country I have that freedom. As far as I know, nobody puts you a gun in order to buy this game, so what is the big deal? What I can see is that the mere existence of a Christian theme game doesn't affect you in ANY way. Unless you are a complete freak who has to buy each and every game in the planet, and you have THIS in your way, bashing it without even hadn't play may be as foolish as it might be to actually purchase it. I'm still in the line of thinking that Christian theme games aren't bad because they promote "religion", but just because they are not interesting at all. And in my opinion, they aren't killing any pain (a term use in techonoligical commertialization), meaning that they are not needed at all due to the great diversity of game genres available. As a matter of fact, I'm not interested in the LB Games more specifically because they have Tanks, Armies, huge masses moving from point A to B. Well, that is what I see in the screenshots, and when somebody said to me "why don't you give it a try?" I said "No thanks". Then he said "is it because it is Christian?"... I respond "mmm, no... It's because I don't like tanks and guns. Seems too American". Never interested in War-like games... And to those "Christian game developers"... I found an article that I read some time ago. It is from BBC news about the TGS. If you pass the part of the cosplayers and the space tourist you will find a section named "PLAYING FOR FUN". It is more or else how I think when looking to buy my next game and also more or less my point of view about games. Ok, well, since nothing else is warrantied in this board, I think this will be my first and last comment in this article. Thank you.

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zalanth

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"This game is the greatest invention developed in my lifetime to reach this generation." Huh? Has he been living in a cave on the moon most of his life then?

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strawberryheart

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Once again a christian tries.....and fails. Nyself a christian wanting to reach the lost though any means wants somebody to make a christian game that is actually....FUN!!! For goodness sake people, get with God and ask Him how to do it, I know He did not give you a crappy idea like the ones I`ve been seeing lately......and I agree with you John-of-Fire. One day christians are going to get it that games must be both fun and impact, not just try to impact. As far as it goes, Nintendo is the only system that had all-right christian games. "What would Jesus play?"

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John_of_Fire

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Evolution is a relgion.

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Jah_Glow

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A sequel? The game's terrible. Has anyone ever read the unbiased reviews for the game? You could have more fun playing Big Rigs...

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OfficialBed

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pfft...HAHA!...this game is a joke

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FallenAngel

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I literally think that the CEO of Left Behind Games literally loves the word 'literally' a lot. Literally.

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Thomis

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How nice, a game with an agenda. Marketing at its best. I think I will file it with all those games I got from Burger King. Unless someone has cracked it. I want the copy where you can play the "other side". Until then, its GTA3 for me.

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DemonJD138

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"This game is the greatest invention developed in my lifetime to reach this generation." Well that's not saying much. It's reached, what, 2-3 people? Maybe if the gameplay isn't complete garbage next time, the sequel will be the new greatest invention to reach this generation.

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Stabby

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This guy is a zealot... not a game critic... like anyone is going to buy this awful game cause he says so...

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jesusfreak19

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[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

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Doesetsu

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well, atleast it isn't secular. LOL. I understand about wanting to develop a game with a religous basis. When they make a good one that isn't supported by a buch of backwater groups I'll play and buy it. As of now...well sorry no.

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blackcro55

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Mr LaHaye obviously isn't aware of the technology that surrounds him or isn't aware of the definition of invention. I also don't see a muslim organisation in the list of those who endourse it. Not being familiar with those listed, are they fundamentalist right-wing christian organisations by chance?

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Mkeegs79

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Interesting..religious fantics would slam a game that makes their religion look bad BUT they will praise a game that promotes their faith. Only religious fanatics would be so quick to judge. What a bunch of one-sided hypocrites. They also need to realize they are ALSO bound by the first amendment!

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Legacyoftain

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Is Kirk Cameron in the game? Thats all I care about.

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DJGeki

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Jessebaj: if you read this, you need to refresh your theories on how evolution works...you've got it pretty backwards. It isn't centered around cross-breeding. Check this: << LINK REMOVED >> I won't say anything about the game in question. The developers are obviously stuck under a rock somewhere in Somalia.

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Jaeme

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If that game is the greatest invention then how did he manage to send his steam powered e-mail written by candle light typed on his BGA monitor(blackboard graphics assisted). Boy, editing his books using quill pen must really be a lot of effort. And they wonder why we don`t take them seriously...

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og8440

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BAHAHAHAHAAHA! ROFL COPTER at Tim LeHaye. Of course these people are going to support it. Because everything in this game is what they believe. Anyone who says otherwise has probably never hung around evangelicals long enough to realize what they really believe.

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sj420

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christian evolutionists... lmfao. that's a good one jesse and bigc.

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IchibanTaichou

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I can't say how happy I am that this game was made, and that its producers are such complete idiots. I laugh everytme I read about it!

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GIJames248

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I am glad to see an increase of Christian media on the market because eventually some of it will be good and when it is I'll be more than willing to endorse it.

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bcfish

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it's sometimes quite embarrasing to admit you are a christian with these wackos claiming they are too. today is such a moment for me, these guys are wackos and most of these groups are wackos and I have nothing to do with them! stupid stupid people

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Cloud737

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Heh, greatest invention? He hasn`t seen the gaming industry yet, has he? If he was referring to greatest invention that has ties to Christianity, then it`s more probable. It`s good too see that the game has support, because they lately only got undeserved bashing from people who haven`t even the slightest idea about the game. The game still sucks, though.

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stiker71

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Im a Chirstain and i havnt played this game but i dont see what the big deal is if its what they really think the End is gona look like your cant sue them over that.....

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wizard_levy

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Why is it that so many times people are so blinded by their faiths? To say a game in wich every single not christian character is a heretic, and potentially an enemy does not endorse intolerance is simply not seeing teh obvious. I can see why it's praised. Intolerance and prejudice serves the interests of lots of people.

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