Journey of Jesus: The Calling
A Facebook browser game where players walk as Jesus.
Journey of Jesus: The Calling is a browser game developed by Lightside Games and released as a Facebook browser game. It is often described as a pioneering Christian game, allowing players to take the role of Jesus performing miracles such as healing the sick and walking on water.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Journey of Jesus
- Developer
- Lightside Games
- Released
- May 15, 2012
- Modes
- Single-player
- Platforms
- Browser
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Journey of Jesus: The Calling was developed by Lightside Games, whose CEO Brent Dusing wanted players to 'walk in the Messiah’s steps, in an authentic experience of Israel in Christ’s time.' The game was released on May 15, 2012, the same day as Blizzard Entertainment's Diablo 3. Lightside acknowledged the timing by posting an image of Jesus fighting Diablo in a boxing ring on the game's Facebook page.
Reader's Guide
The game received praise from Christian leaders, including Darrell L. Bock, a research professor at the Dallas Theological Seminary, who said it would take players closer to Jesus in a 'fun, reflective and entertaining way.' However, Kotaku's Luke Plunkett criticized the gameplay as 'horrific' due to its emphasis on microtransactions, which he felt was antithetical to the game's concept. He also commented that it squandered the potential of the Bible, especially the Old Testament, as an 'amazing story.' The game's significance lies in its attempt to merge religious narrative with interactive media, sparking both endorsement and criticism.
Did You Know?
- The game was released on the same day as Blizzard Entertainment's Diablo 3.
- Kotaku's Luke Plunkett called the gameplay 'horrific' due to its emphasis on microtransactions.
- Although sometimes claimed as the first Jesus video game, earlier titles like 'Jesus: The Game' (1991) predate it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Journey of Jesus: The Calling?
It is a free-to-play browser game created by Lightside Games that debuted on Facebook in May 2012. The title lets players step directly into the role of Jesus Christ and carry out his ministry.
What miracles can the player perform in Journey of Jesus: The Calling?
The core interactive loop revolves around enacting divine acts, most notably restoring the sick to health and treading across the surface of water. These miracle sequences form the primary gameplay moments throughout the experience.
How does the narrative of Journey of Jesus: The Calling wrap up?
The story arc traces Jesus through pivotal moments of his earthly ministry, building toward the fulfillment of his divine calling. The final sequence centers on the culmination of that mission rather than a traditional combat or puzzle climax.
Why do fans regard Journey of Jesus: The Calling as a landmark title?
It is frequently pointed to as one of the first widely accessible games that let a player embody Jesus himself in an interactive setting. Its 2012 launch on a mainstream social platform helped introduce faith-based interactive storytelling to a casual, non-gamer audience.
Where and how can you play Journey of Jesus: The Calling?
The game was designed exclusively as a Facebook web-app, so it runs entirely inside a browser with no separate client to install. Lightside Games built it for that social-platform environment, and access is tied to a Facebook account.
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