video/pc game development idea

[fnaeem]

Assalmu Alaikum,
I have an idea that I would like to discuss with people on this forum and then decide if its a good one or not.

You may have heard of a "hit" pc game called the SIMS. Although I have not played the game, I understand the basic premise of the game is to control the life of the various characters. Help them go to school, get a job etc. same as real life, only time accelerated and its not your life but a game character's.

I was wondering if an islamic port can be done. The idea is that the game gets installed and the characters are muslim, and you win or lose by making sure that the characters you control follow an islamic lifestyle. They pray, they fast etc, do good, forbid evil etc. You can decide to not fast and you will be docked points etc for it. Of course during the installation the player will provide his geographical information and the game will be unplayable while the time of salah enters in his area ( with a message displaying its unplayable). The idea is to give kids/teens who like video games an islamic prespective.

I dont want to do this for profit but provide engaging opportunities for kids/teens to learn a muslim life style through various ways.

What do you folks think ? Additionally do you think rendering these computer generated characters be considered picture-making.

Jazak Allah Khair
Faisal

[Saleel]

It's an interesting idea, but I think it's prone to many problems...

Firstly, I think it would come under the category of creating pictures of animate objects, which in essence would make the whole project haraam. But... say we follow the opinion of a scholar who does make it permissible (which I wouldn't suggest, but khair, just for arguments sake...) then the following problems still come to mind:

Firstly, "someone can choose to fast or not to fast". Hmm... hasnt this sort of become an option which shouldn't even be there, if you understand what I mean? Praying, fasting, zakaah etc are not optional, just like cutting off your right arm is not an option. But today we seem to have made it "acceptable" to an extent. And I just fear what the thought behind "allowing" characters to disobey Allah swt is... I'm not sure, but if someone sees that all is happening is they're losing a few "points" by not praying, but making up those points by giving in charity, then they may adopt that in real life and "justify" not praying... Allahu Alam.

One of the reasons why SIMS I think is corrupt, is because of its notion of living the complete life online. Which includes relationships. Unless you're gonna also program a way for a guy to find a bride (and vice versa) by asking around in the masjid and arranging a halaal rishta with strict segregation and all, then I don't think this is gonna work. And gosh... they get married, and and then the person controlling the guy sees the character without hijaab... isnt the wife for the computer generated guy's eyes only? Complications, complications, complications.

Most video games have music... or at least sound effects. Tough to eliminate them completely.

And finally, isn't it sort of a waste of time to sit infront of the PC, engaged in controlling a character lead a good life, but at the same time neglecting other activites you could be doing instead? Like nafl salaah, dhikr, etc...? Allahu Alam.

Sorry if I sounded harsh, just my thoughts

[fnaeem]

Jazak Allah for your comments.

The idea was not to provide a distraction to practicing muslims away from zikr etc but to provide a distraction to teens away from their games/music .
a nicotine patch to say. not as good as quitting but not as bad as cigarettes either, hopefully on their way to give it up. Music etc is not a problem if you develop the games ( you control what you put in). Yeah but the stuff about cg characters being picture making and which character is authorized to look at whom. Dont know if there is a way around that.

Wasalmu Alaikum.
Faisal

[Computer Guru]

hey, i know i made some out of line comments, but here im telling u guys the truth. it is NOT an impossibilty, BUT it took sims 15 years to make it, and a hell of a lot of $$$$

[Goldi]

I say we make a tableegh port instead. Think of the possibilities!

The only time you can punch the guy if he's rude to you when you knock on his door.

[Computer Guru]

um..... kinda boring and corny mayhaps????

[Goldi]

um..... kinda boring and corny mayhaps????

my idea?

[Computer Guru]

i just think that not too many youth wil be interested in s asimulated online TJ program..... no offense however

[Goldi]

i just think that not too many youth wil be interested in s asimulated online TJ program..... no offense however

Clearly you've underestimated the suspense invloved before you have to give a short talk to a random guy. And besides, it's good exposure to tableegh!

[Muawiyah]

How about making a text based Tableegh game like the ancient infocom games [http://www.csd.uwo.ca/Infocom/games.html]. Much easier to make than a simulation.