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In short – online multiplayer games are fun, relational and can be powerful learning tools.
It doesn’t take much to realise that communication now is largely shaped by computing technology and the internet. Also, ‘gamification’ (that is, the use of game mechanics to enhance learning or promote behaviour) is now becoming a mainstream trend, with many organisations, institutions, and corporations turning to ‘play learning’ as the backbone of their learning strategy.
Throughout history, the bible story has been carried in many forms – Oral traditions, written forms, radio, movies, and now digitally. 2ndcity aims to connect the true story of the world with 10-14 year olds in a medium that is engaging and familiar to them. By placing the bible story in a fun and engaging game environment we believe preteens in Christian families and churches will be curious enough to give the game an opportunity. We hope that they will get hooked into the game play, quests and the mission of God as revealed in the bible and consequently translate that to living in their community.
Early in the story of 2ndcity, we came hard up against the question “how will we shape the biblical content of our game?” Would we focus on topical lessons, such as love, trust, purity, obedience? Or perhaps use a systematic theology, and work through various doctrines? Perhaps we would find some good morals from the Bible and we could turn these into some kind of playable game? Or maybe it could be ‘values based,’ and take the morals from the Bible and turn these into ‘values’ that can then be learnt through a game?
We then realised that the answer was staring right at us. One of the key elements of gaming is a really gripping story – something that captures the players imagination, in a way that they can become fully immersed in – and what better story than the epic tale of God’s relentless pursuit of humanity, since the dawn of time, to bring them into relationship with him?
It became apparent to us that viewing the Bible (and all of human history) as a story of God’s activity in the world was the key to the ‘biblical content’ of 2ndcity. In fact, the more we thought about this and read about others who were starting to view the world and the Bible in this way, we realised that not only was it not a new idea, but that it actually is a far better way to view life. This is because it puts the focus back on God, as the centre of the story – and life becomes about what God is doing, and then partnering and participating in that – rather than making the story about me!
With 2ndcity, if we could achieve anything, it would be for kids who play the game to realise that they have a place in God’s story – and we hope that 2ndcity will help them not only find their place, but also fulfill it. In order to do this, we hope that kids will learn to view not only the Bible but also the whole of history as “God’s story”, and then be on the look out for where and when God is at work around them.
We hope that by capturing kids imaginations with a gripping epic (true) tale of the God of history, they will be compelled to live an alternative story to the stories of our current culture – and instead live according to God’s story: his plot, his direction, his script – which has outlasted successive civilisations, governments, revolutions, political structures and ideals.
“When we speak of the bible as a narrative we are making a normative claim: It is a public truth. It is a claim that this is the way God created the world; the story of the Bible tells us the way the world really is. It is, in the language of postmodernity a ‘meta narrative’ ….Thus the biblical story is not understood simply as a local tale about a certain ethnic group or religion. It begins with the creation of all things. In between it offers an interpretation of the meaning of cosmic history. It therefore makes a comprehensive claim; our stories, our reality- indeed all of human and non human reality- must find its place in this story” – M. Goheen
Goheen, in conjunction with Craig Bartholomew, have written a short piece called “The Story-line of the Bible.” You can read it here
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Carl had a 25 year career in state education concluding (in 2005) with his service as an Intermediate School Principal for eight years. Since then he has served in church ministry as an Executive Pastor, Acting Pastor and Ministries Coordinator; studied theology (at both Laidlaw College and Carey Baptist College), become a consultant to Christian Schools, written Christian curriculum for Christian Schools, advised boards on governance and strategic planning matters and chaired two school boards. He is passionate about education and theology in the context of the school environment. He is constantly looking at creative ways to help students engage their lives in the greatest true story of all time.
Al’s role involves promoting 2ndcity throughout NZ, generating prayer, support and sign ups of people wanting to be kept ‘in the know’ on progress and development of the game. He has already presented at Christian Camping, Living Stones and Christian Schools Conferences and had a display at Promise Keepers. His creative background also means he dreams up the communications promoting the game through all mediums possible.
Al has been involved in Youth Ministry for more years than he would care to admit and is passionate about forging new and exciting ways to connect young people with their Creator. Al has been a Youth Pastor, Chaplain and Youth Ministry advisor in New Zealand and overseas. A keen photographer, communicator and musician, Al very much loves his part in building and growing 2ndcity.
Brook is passionate about learning, and about helping people to bring about change. He is strategic, full of ideas, analytical, very tech-savvy, and has an eye for design. Brook often presents on Social Media, and does a lot of consulting work (paid and unpaid) regarding IT needs. He likes to stay up to date with all things tech, and the way the world is changing. Brook is constantly seeking out new and exciting projects, and he likes to build websites in his spare time or just read blogs!
Brook graduated from The University of Auckland with a MSc (First Class Honours) in 2010 and in 2011 completed a Graduate Diploma in Applied Theology from Carey Baptist College. Brook is passionate about teaching in all its forms, and is also passionate about helping people realise that they are part of a “bigger story” than they probably realise! He serves on multiple governance teams at his local church, Titirangi Baptist. Brook loves the idea of capturing kids imaginations by using an interactive story – that is, a game – to convey that we are all part of a bigger story, and that we have a role to play. He’s totally excited by the 2ndcity project!
Tim has been working in youth ministry for many years after leaving University. I that time he developed a passion to see you people truly interacting with the Gospel story and finding their place in it. Taking some time out of full time ministry, Tim continued to volunteer with teens whilst preaching in various churches round the country. He spent a year working in the web industry, selling websites for one of NZ’s premier boutique web agencies before leaving to create a social media consultancy. Originally from Australia, Tim brings a huge personality and sense of humor to the 2ndcity project as a writer and dreamer. Tim is passionate about this project because as a young teen he was captured by the power of CS Lewis’s Narnia work and believes this could be as ground breaking for a current generations as Narnia was for many others.
Andrew Hill is a gamer who has just finished a Bachelor in Theology at Carey Baptist College. As part of his studies he completed a one year research assignment “Gaming and the Gospel.” He is the Youth Pastor at Royal Oak Baptist Church and is active in connecting the hope of the gospel to social needs in culture.
Villette joined the 2ndcity team in July as a support worker for Carl Becker, our team leader. Villette has a broad range of experiences that make her a perfect fit for the 2ndcity team. She has been involved in Youthwork, AND media and we really appreciate the impact she has made so far!
