|TOP|The secular entertainment industry is increasingly shifting its focus to attract the Christian audience, as Hollywood recently acknowledged Passion of the Christ and Christian-themed Chronicles of Narnia for "hitting it big."

Following the mainstream success of movies such as the "The Chronicles of Narnia" and books like the "Left Behind" series, the video game industry and Christian game makers are gathering this week for its annual Electronic Entertainment Expo, hoping to aim at wider audiences.

The Expo is scheduled to kick off on May 10-12, 2006, at the Los Angeles Convention Centre.

|AD|Rick Tewell, co-founder and CEO of Virtue Games, comments, "The most popular shows on television, like 'CSI,' are all based on death and violent behavior," he said. "We feel the need to produce products that counter the major media companies' message."

Christian game makers say they aren't trying to convert anyone — just offer better choices.

"Our games aren't out there to evangelize, but to present a Christian world," Tewell added.
"There are non-religious companies that are making an effort," said Virtue Games' Tewell. "Nintendo produces many family oriented titles, and the Pixar movies have good moral messages."

A recent Christian video game was based on the best-selling series of novels about a Christian "Last Days" scenario: "Left Behind: Eternal Forces."

The upcoming real-time strategy game includes military battles between the Tribulation Forces and the Global Community Peacekeepers as well as uncovering the meaning behind the mysterious disappearances worldwide of the faithful during the Rapture.