Bible Societies launch internet games

READING, England — Two Bible Societies in the Europe-Middle East Region have launched web-based interactive games with biblical themes as a new way of introducing a global audience of children to the Bible.

Year-Zero, a game based on the Christmas story, was developed by the Netherlands Bible Society (NBS) in co-operation with web site producer HEB and Henk Dokter Creative Associates of Doorn. The game, which went live on December 14, is aimed at children between the ages of nine and twelve and is available in English and Dutch.

NBS Media Officer Frans van Houwelingen says that the game’s main aim is to “stimulate Bible reading while children are still young.”

“Research shows that children in many countries can be reached through the Internet, and Internet games are very popular,” he explains. “Many children are curious about spiritual matters but know very little about Bible stories. Through this web site, any child anywhere in the world, with some knowledge of English or Dutch, can play the game and get to know the Bible as they play.”

Year-Zero players navigate through five virtual landscapes, where they win points by correctly answering questions about the Bible. The information needed to answer these questions is found by clicking on sensitised zones, which reveal background information about the Bible. If players collect enough points they find treasure. The game can be accessed at http://www.year-zero.org

The British and Foreign Bible Society also launched an interactive game prior to Christmas – Moses and the Tablets of Stone. The game’s challenge is to help Moses overcome a variety of dangers, such as falling rocks, precipices and scorpions, as he climbs Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments.

The Rev Dr Martin Robinson, BFBS Director of Mission and Theology, describes the game as “a great way to engage young people and bring Bible history to life.”