Thinking Outside the Xbox: the play between religion and video games

Gregory Price Grieve 
Faculty, Department of Religious Studies, 
University of North Carolina at Greensboro 

Professor Gregory Price Grieves’ work investigates the role that popular forms of religion play in what it means to be human in the digital age. In this presentation, Professor Grieves looks at the role of religion in video games. He looks back through the centuries at how games and play have intersected with religion. Some video games are overtly religious – examples include “Computer Bible Games” and “Left Behind – Eternal Forces.” In other video games, the fantasy worlds they create include such spiritual concepts as quests for goodness and returns to grace. 

Recorded: February 25, 2016