Ian Bogost - Water Cooler Games - iBelieve - social commentary goes meta

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Water Cooler Games

Water Cooler Games served as the web's primary forum for "videogames with an agenda" — coverage of the uses of video games in advertising, politics, education, and other everyday activities, outside the sphere of entertainment.

The site was maintained at watercoolergames.org from 2003-2009, where it was edited by myself and Gonzalo Frasca. It is now archived here in full.

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iBelieve - social commentary goes meta

by Ian Bogost November 7, 2005

categories: Political Games , Religious Games , Social Games

I'm breaking the rules a little with this post. It has very little to do with videogames. But it's too good to pass up, and it does relate to the broader themes of our project.

In a brilliant move, artist Scott Wilson created iBelieve, a cross-shaped lanyard and cap for iPod shuffle. Its purpose was social commentary:

Inspired by the world's obsession and devotion to the iPod, ... [iBelieve] is a social commentary on the fastest growing religion in the world.

But much to Wilson's surprise, religious organizations have started buying the iBelieve in bulk! Incredible! I've been thinking and writing a little about Christian games recently, and I tried to ask some hard questions at the Christian games session at Serious Games last week. There does seem to be a strong relationship between consumption and faith, and I'm interested in the moments when that dynamic becomes visible. iBelieve marks such a one.

Comments (3)

All I can say is, I really hope that Christians who wear this are at least aware of the irony ... otherwise it will make me cry on the inside.

I'd be interested in the hard questions you raised - I went back and read the writeup you did from that session and didn't see them mentioned. I have some hard questions of my own, but I'm trying not to let my cynicism get the best of me.

josh g. on November 11, 2005 12:57 AM

You're right, I didn't log the Q&A from that question.

Basically, I asked them what the intersection between games and religion is, what unique features games have to add to discussions of religion or the practice of faith. I felt that the speakers were merchandising with games, not discussing faith with games.

I have a chapter on religious games planned for my next book, which i'm about 1/2 - 3/4 done with.

Ian Bogost on November 11, 2005 3:17 AM

very nice! i'm putting you at my favourits. good game steal or not: http://www.moviebloopers.com/ , Red Opponents becomes Greedy Table in final profound, red, standard nothing comparative to memorizing , Curious Corner Fetch or not full soldier roll or not

alex allison on December 9, 2005 10:46 PM