I'm a lifelong Unitarian Universalist, sometimes video game developer, and lifelong writer. I think video games are one of the most unique forms of entertainment because they ask for involvement from the consumer in a way most others don't. Recently, I've played a few games that haven't just resonated with me on a ludic level, but on a spiritual level as well. Games that, while not overtly UU to my knowledge, reflect our values, principles, and philosophies. Two in particular stand out: Outer Wilds and Chants of Sennaar. I'll do my best to put spoilers for these games under spoiler tags in case any of you want to play them yourself!

First up: Outer Wilds! It's a very hard game to talk about without spoiling, since player knowledge is the only indicator of progression. It's also my favorite game of all time. (At the moment) I feel it's particularly resonant with the 7th Principle, especially when you realize that all the travelers are playing the same song despite being on completely different planets. At the end of the game, you learn that you exist towards the end of the heat death of the universe, and you have the opportunity to influence the creation of the next universe based on your relationship with your friends. I really love how the first 7 Principles start with the individual and branch out to the whole universe. The same thing happens in Outer Wilds, as the player's knowledge and perspective starts with themselves, grows to encompass their starting village, then their starting planet, then their moon, etc.

Chants of Sennaar looks like a story about the Tower of Babel, but it's actually closer to the parable of the blind men and the elephant. You climb a tower, searching for whatever is on the top. Along the way, you encounter five different civilizations, all with a different, unique language that you need to learn to progress. You also need to translate between each civilization once you've figured them out. Each culture is drastically different, venerating God to the Devotees, Duty to the Warriors, Beauty to the Bards, (Chemical) Transformation to the Alchemists, and Exile to the Anchorites. As you make these connections, a three-dimensional object slowly forms. At the end of the game, you see that same object at the top of the tower. It twists and moves, making the glyphs for God, Duty, Beauty, Transformation, and Exile in each respective language. I cried, and am obviously still thinking about it.

Have any of you played these games? Are there any other games that spoke to you on a spiritual level?