Religious games and toys represent a growing market, reports USA Today(December. 22). These toys meet a demand for wholesome entertainment and offer educational tools, such as learning about the 99 names of Allah while players advance toward Mecca, or about the Jewish dietary laws.
There are also Catholic, Evangelical and Mormon games, with games titled “Missionary Conquest” – where martyred players get extra points — or toys such as “Biblical Action Figures.” Some are selling dolls of Jesus and the prophets.
However, the article reports that it is not easy to find a place in the stores because mass retailers prefer well-known brands. For this reason, religious games and toys often have to use alternative distribution channels.
As long as this is the case, market experts don’t expect religious games and toys to become major actors; they should rather be seen as niche products.
— By Jean-Francois Mayer, RW Contributing Editor and founder of the website Religioscope (http://www.religion.info).
