Industry observers are expressing hope for the future of inspirational video games in light of the merger of two of the nation's largest Christian video game companies. They say that the support from Christian retailers is "critical to the success of Christian gaming."

Inspired Media Entertainment, the inspirational video game company that makes games based on the "Left Behind" book series, announced in February that it would merge with Digital Praise, the maker of Guitar Praise--a Christian game similar to the popular Guitar Hero.

Michael Patcher, research analyst at financial services and investment firm Wedbush Securities, said the Christian video game market is "a significant market currently underserved by traditional publishers."

Sales of computer games--the primary platform of Christian games--in the U.S. were $538 million in 2009, while total video game and PC sales game software were $20.2 billion last year, according to market researcher The NPD Group (National Purchase Diary).

Ralph Bagley, spokesperson for the nonprofit Association for Family Interactive Media, told Christian Retailing that "the marketplace has always been ready for more high-quality Christian games."

"The problem is that in order to create a high-quality Christian game that is available on several platforms, it takes a budget of roughly $10 million-$15 million dollars to develop it," said Bagley, whose N'Lightning Software company produced games such as Catechumen and Ominous Horizons, which are available in Christian bookstores.

Bagley said there are currently close to 100 independent Christian game developers worldwide. "The problem is that very few of them have the resources to flourish under these very tough market conditions," he said. "The support from the Christian retailers is critical to the success of Christian gaming, but the developers must create great games that are fun to play in order for the equation to really work."

Read the full report in the May issue of Christian Retailing magazine.

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