A video game that asks theological questions

Dragon Age: Inquisition puts players in control of the Herald of Andraste, a messianic figure that many claim was sent by “the Maker” to save the world from the demonic forces threatening to undo it. That question, whether the Herald is actually the world’s savior, representing God’s plan of salvation for the world, takes center stage in the game’s narrative. Unfortunately, whatever interesting things Inquisition’s narrative has to say about God, religion, and redemption are easily overshadowed by the game’s self-indulgent economics. For all its interest in theology, at the end of the day the game primarily motivates players by offering them more and better stuff.

Video games are so popular in the United States in part because they make the American Dream attainable. In games, hard work and persistence are always rewarded. As players progress through popular games like Destiny and Dragon Age: Origins, they get increasingly more powerful weapons, more durable armor, and more resources. These games are designed to keep people playing by plugging them into an ever upward spiraling economic engine.

Dragon Age: Inquisition adds to this feedback loop the ability to craft and customize the character’s weapons and armor. By hunting animals for leather, mining various levels for minerals, and searching for rune stones, players can craft and modify their character’s layout in an astounding number of ways. Players also can search for plants to craft potions that give them bonuses. Inquisition even makes searching for resources easier by giving players a button to press to reveal nearby items. If players aren’t careful, they will find their play motivated by a lust for more.

Finding value in Inquisition requires discipline: Players must look past the game’s incessant reward loop to the more interesting questions posed by the game’s narrative and characters.

The other characters in the game often ask the player, “do you believe in the Maker? Are you really the Herald of Andraste?” While the Maker is the closest parallel to the God of Scripture, Christians undoubtedly will find these questions difficult to answer. In the lore of the Dragon Age series, the Maker has, many times, turned away from his creations and even loosed Darkspawn (demons) upon the world to punish the pride of people who sought to usurp his power. Characters in the game believe the Maker will not answer the prayers of humanity or perform any other function on their behalf until they prove themselves worthy of his attention again.

And yet, the Herald has a special ability to close the rifts in the sky through which Darkspawn enter and terrorize the world. This special ability causes many to look to the Herald as evidence the Maker is no longer silent. While some of the game’s characters, like Solas the elf, claim the mark is an ancient power unrelated to the Maker, most at least want to believe grace is being offered to them from on high. Despite the questionable nature of the Maker in Inquisition, the fact that the game even bothers to ask players to ponder what they believe makes it a fascinating exercise.

Those who can look beyond the chaff of Dragon Age: Inquisition’s hedonistic feedback loop, will find a game that challenges them to consider their own religious assumptions. In the process, they may even find themselves longing to believe in a God who offers unconditional grace.