Date of Award

Spring 5-6-2011

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Major

Religion

First Advisor

Professor Ronald Kiener

Abstract

This study is an analysis of religion in video games and makes the case that more formal work needs to be done on the subject. Despite the prevalence of video games in society today, little formal research has been done on the subject of religion in video games. Video games give the audience a level of interactivity that other forms of entertainment cannot provide. Religion has been at odds with the entertainment industry for decades and as a new form of entertainment media, video games have been using religion for some time. Most often it is used in the story of the game to deepen the storyline, but other times it is a central theme that the game revolves. This thesis looks at two popular video game franchises, Halo and Assassin’s Creed, and examines the religious references contained within each of them. It then looks at different controversies that have arisen because of the inclusion of religion in these games. What is interesting about the negative reactions to these games is that they have not come to the attention of the general public even though video games are one of the fastest growing industries in the world. This is because there has been no research done on the subject of religion in video games so the public has nothing go by.

Comments

Senior thesis completed at Trinity College for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Religion.

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