Some Athesists Don’t Like the Idea of Spore, Will Wright Speaks About it
Most people would think if any group of people would be pissed off about EA’s next game Spore for the PC, it would be religious people. But as the hype started to grow into an internet phenomenon about the creature creator, “militant atheists” were the ones who seemed a little uncomfortable of the idea that the player was almost like god, creating the species and deciding the evolutionary process of it. EuroGamer had the opportunity to talk to the genius behind the game, Will Wright and about the controversy surrounding the game:
“I think our bigger fear was that we didn’t want to offend any religious people; but looking at the discussion that unfolded from this thing, what we had was a good, sizable group of players that we might call militant atheists, and the rest of the players seemed very tolerant, including all of the religious players.”
Mr.Wright also went on and talked about how the team behind the game, wanted to make sure they wouldn’t offend any religious people and made sure the game respected their belief.
“We didn’t want to go too far down that path: We leave the whole creation of the universe question open. Obviously as the player you’re coming in and playing something like a god, directing the evolution of a species, but we never really state who you the player are.”
Any game that has the amount of excitement around it like Spore does, it’s only a matter of time when some crazy advocacy group attacks it. I could careless about what I feel is right or wrong. All we are playing is exactly what the name of the activity is called – a game, nothing more, nothing less. Oh and by the way, it’s called a god-game. 
August 13th, 2008 at 1:11 am
The fact that Atheism has become a religion sickens me. There shouldn’t be a difference between “Atheism” and “Militant Atheism” because it’s a lack of belief. I’m an atheist myself, but speaking out about it just seems retarded to me. If I had a belief of my own concerning a god, I’d maybe take offence at others believing different, but I don’t.
As far as Spore goes, God games have been around for decades. Both Populous and Sim City let you play God, and both were popular. The fact that “Militant Atheists” are speaking out about these types of games now shows nothing more than they feel the need to speak out about something… Which really only serves to bring the internet down a peg on the list of respect.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:55 am
The entertainment industry wouldn’t be the same if special interests groups weren’t getting pissed off all the time.
August 13th, 2008 at 5:41 am
Hahaha. Oh you Atheists. Can’t you just shut the hell up and and stop arguing. I mean I could see this kind of talk out of the pope or catholic parents. But Atheists? This humors me. Thank you for the laugh.
August 13th, 2008 at 6:36 am
Umm who isn’t offended now or days by games? Who cares if you don’t like it don’t buy it or play it. Then again this will make the game sales of Spore increase one hundred fold =P
August 13th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Listen, I’m not an atheist nor am I overtly religious, but c’mon. Who cares if the role of the player is “God-like.” These militants should go back and fight over “Black and White” instead of this game.
Maybe if they just sat down and played it they’d realize how ridiculous their claims are. Chances are high they just want something to complain about and get some press. Why would any serious atheist give a crap.