A pilot test that saw approximately 100 Wal-Mart stores in Texas sell Christian-themed videogames from Left Behind Games went well enough that the world’s largest retailer is expanding the program.
Left Behind Games CEO Troy Lyndon announced the expansion in a letter to shareholders, which website Stockmarketquarterly noticed as part of an SEC filing. The news was announced in letter form at Wal-Mart’s request. Left Behind Games will now be added to “a limited number of Walmart stores covering a broad area of states.”
Lyndon wrote that Wal-Mart expanded the trial in order to see sales results “without the promotional campaign that was undertaken by LFBG in Texas.”
He added, “When their [Wal-Mart’s] evaluation of the test shows successful results, their marketing resources will be utilized to facilitate a full-fledged launch.”
|Via IndustryGamers|
Comments
Re: Wal-Mart Expanding Christian Games Sales
I think the pic for this article is cute! :D But if the sales are doing well for the game then why not expand upon this game in tons of Wal-marts? It is a good idea. Will I buy it? No. B/c I can stufy my bible instead. :)
"It's better to be hated for who you are, then be loved for who you are not." - Montgomery Gentry
Re: Wal-Mart Expanding Christian Games Sales
I don't like any games preaching religion, therefore they should not exist. Since its mainly Christians who feel they have the right to call for bans of games they find offensive, I think its only fair play to protest that these Christian games are forcing their religion down everyone's throat. I really wish someone would make a serious arguement about that. Seriously though, these companies have a right to make a game as much as company and if Wal-Mart wants to display them, they have every right to do that. And I have every right to not purchase that game. I just wish those fanatic Christians would return the same respect to products I liek that they may not approve of. You don't like it don't buy it. When was the last time someone got offended that a supermarket sells corn because he/she despise corn? It should be the same thing when with entertainment. I would like to credit Todd McFarlane, creator of Spawn for that analogy of the supermarket.
"With free speech either everything is ok or none of it is." Kyle Broflovski
Re: Wal-Mart Expanding Christian Games Sales
I don't know that it's fair to say it's only Christians who want to ban games. Lots of bans are about protecting the children. They may be supported by Christian groups, but protecting the children is far from a Christian-only idea.
Re: Wal-Mart Expanding Christian Games Sales
Doesn't change that they only target games to avoid the work of trying to correct the main issues.
Re: Wal-Mart Expanding Christian Games Sales
Exactly like everyone else who tries to ban games. It's not a Christian-only thing; I'm just trying to make sure that we're pointing the finger at everyone responsible and not only blaming one religious group.
Re: Wal-Mart Expanding Christian Games Sales
Meh, I have about the same hope for Christian games as I do for Christian books. And I find it ironic that a Christian game company would sell their games at Walmart of all places. The place isn't exactly know for its just business practices, and I would think a Christian game company could find a slightly more Christian outlet for their products.
Re: Wal-Mart Expanding Christian Games Sales
What do you mean? Walmart is like the bible belt of Retail Stores. They've gone out of their way to cater to the Rednecks, including carrying things like Christian games/books. They have this Trailer Trash asthetic to them, which is why I refuse to shop there.
Re: Wal-Mart Expanding Christian Games Sales
It really shouldn't be a prominent store for Christians. The entire empire isn't exactly run in a humanizing, Christian manner. Of course, that would be assuming that most Christians took the time to really consider that sort of thing.
Re: Wal-Mart Expanding Christian Games Sales
Im Christian and i wouldnt waste my time with these games. Unless they magically have really good gameplay and stuff. But what are the odds ?
Re: Wal-Mart Expanding Christian Games Sales
low...but stranger things have happened.
Re: Wal-Mart Expanding Christian Games Sales
Hrm.. genocide of the unbelivers is ok.. boobies are bad. *headdesk*
Re: Wal-Mart Expanding Christian Games Sales
Welcome to my life in the bible-belt.
Hunting the shadows of the troubled dreams.
Re: Wal-Mart Expanding Christian Games Sales
I weep for every child who has one of these games bought for them by a well meaning aunt or grandma, and has to choke back the tears as they say "Gee Thanks"
Re: Wal-Mart Expanding Christian Games Sales
I love how Left Behind felt the need to tamper with the trial run by running a promotional campaign. They KNEW their idiotic games couldn't actually sell on merit alone, so they decided to run a huge PR campaign in one of the Reddest, most hardcore Christian states in the country. Go figure.
Christian Games just don't have a real market in this economy, and that's probably for the best, if you ask me.
Re: Wal-Mart Expanding Christian Games Sales
You could have said the same thing about Christian rock, however they have Fly Leaf, Skillet, Creed and a few others. I think if the games are good, even if they are made with Christian propaganda, there will be a market for them.
Re: Wal-Mart Expanding Christian Games Sales
Really? You don't think games based on the Bible or Christian literature have any place in the games industry? You don't think that there are people out there that would enjoy games based on their religion?
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
http://www.theeca.com/chapters_oklahoma
E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower
Re: Wal-Mart Expanding Christian Games Sales
I don't think our industry needs any more Shovelware and poor games.
Putting my admittedly anti-religion bias into perspective, I would probably play a pro-Christian game if it had a good story and gameplay, and I wouldn't be opposed to games like that. I AM opposed to any and all games that are less "gameplay" and more "poorly masked attempt at evangalism, preaching, or even political messaging in bad game format." I've not seen a religious game, ESPECIALLY from Left Behind Games, that doesn't fall into the shovelware or "poorly masked..." category.
That being said, I certainly wouldn't shed a tear if the game industry never released a Pro-Christian Game, but I'm not necessarily against ALL of them.
Re: Wal-Mart Expanding Christian Games Sales
Well, considering your anti-religious bias, I doubt you'd be willing or able to actually give any game with religious overtones a fair shake. Thus, I say, if you don't like the game, don't play it, but stop saying shit about it to people who might.
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You KILL Vampires. You don't DATE them.
Re: Wal-Mart Expanding Christian Games Sales
Basically you want them to come out, but to be of quality instead of, say, generid RTS number 20 with christian overtones.
Re: Wal-Mart Expanding Christian Games Sales
I am with you on the shovel-ware and poorly made games bit.
What I am saying is that all people should be able to create and play games with themse that interest them, whether that is Christian themes or alien invasion themes.
But of course, you always have the power to not buy any games that don't interest you or you find to be of poor quality.
Here is another question: Would you play a well designed Christian themed game that had great gameplay and was a blatant attempt at "evangalism, preaching, or even political messaging"?
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
http://www.theeca.com/chapters_oklahoma
E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower
Re: Wal-Mart Expanding Christian Games Sales
"Real" gamers laughed at the low quality shooter Big Game Hunter, but it hit an un-tapped market, sold big and created a glut of me-too hunting games. Maybe these guys will do the same. If you're desperate for a certain type of under-represented content you'll buy it now matter how bad it is, just look at the poor Transformers fans
Re: Wal-Mart Expanding Christian Games Sales
I would because while i'm not religious myself, i do keep an eye on their methods simply out of anthropological curiosity.
I probably wouldn't buy it, but i'd at least give the demo or such a try, and if the gameplay was great, i'd definitely give them the kudos they deserve for it.
Re: Wal-Mart Expanding Christian Games Sales
I'm with Valdearg here. If the game is Marketable, then Market it. But Christian PR campaigns are dirty guilt trips wrapped in a commercial.
Re: Wal-Mart Expanding Christian Games Sales
Last time I checked, a PR campaign is marketing. You're statement basically says "market it, unless it's a Christian marketing campaign."
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You KILL Vampires. You don't DATE them.
Re: Wal-Mart Expanding Christian Games Sales
I'll be sure NOT to buy this game at my local wal-mart.
http://www.magicinkgaming.com/
Re: Wal-Mart Expanding Christian Games Sales
I confess I do shop at WalMart, but this is one thing in their stores I won't even e eglancing at if I can help it.