‘Load the Ark’ Game Connects Faith Through Play

Game by Adventist developers hopes to reach a younger, screen-oriented generation.

September 25, 2024 | Heidi Baumgartner, North Pacific Union Gleaner, and Andrei Melniciuc, DayStar Media Labs

In an era where screens dominate daily life, one Pacific Northwest group of professionals has embarked on a mission to infuse faith into the digital world. Their journey, rooted in childhoods marked by the shadow of religious censorship in what was then the Soviet Union, has blossomed into a project that seeks to engage and enrich spiritual lives through a game called “Load the Ark.”

A Legacy of Faith and Media

The seeds of this endeavor were planted more than 30 years ago in a small Soviet household. The children, inspired by their mother’s dedication to retyping Christian books on a typewriter during a time when religious literature was banned, saw firsthand the immense value people placed on these homemade books.

“We grew up understanding the power of media,” recalled Andrei Melniciuc, a Seventh-day Adventist and a game developer. “When the Soviet Union fell, our father began editing Christian periodicals, bringing a computer into our lives. My brother and I helped with layout and text entry, and in the evenings, we discovered interactive media.”

This fascination, coupled with their commitment to their faith, laid the groundwork for what would eventually become “Load the Ark.”

A New Platform for Faith

Today, the digital age offers a new platform for spreading faith. The internet has become a modern-day pulpit, with religious leaders and organizations using websites, podcasts, and social media channels to share sermons, teachings, and discussions that are accessible anytime, anywhere. For DayStar Media Labs, an organization founded by a group of friends and siblings to promote Christian arts and media, this digital landscape presented both an opportunity and a challenge.

Amid the sea of digital offerings, there is a growing desire for wholesome, Bible-based content. Commercial media often overlooks the values central to many faith-based communities, the DayStar Media Labs team observed. “As Psalm 119:105 says, ‘Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.’ We wanted to create something that would serve as that light in today’s screen-centric world.”

Introducing “Load the Ark”

“Load the Ark” is DayStar Media Labs’ answer to the call for more wholesome, Bible-based digital offerings. The tile-matching puzzle game is inspired by the story of Noah’s ark, and it serves as more than just a source of entertainment. It’s a digital gateway to faith, turning a Biblical narrative into an engaging activity that reflects the teachings of the Bible.

But the game offers more than gameplay. It features “Arkopedia,” an educational module about animals and their conservation status, bridging spirituality with environmental awareness.

The module also includes quizzes that test players’ knowledge of animals in the Bible, providing an educational twist to the game. The news section spotlights the work of Christian environmental and humanitarian organizations, such as ADRA’s goat program, informing players about their projects and encouraging stewardship of the earth.

Additionally, a colorful comic book within the game narrates the story of Noah’s ark, combining entertainment with spiritual learning.

Power and Responsibility of Digital Media

As digital media becomes foundational in the spiritual lives of the new generation, Load the Ark demonstrates the potential of interactive experiences to create immersive, educational and spiritually enriching content, developers said.

Indeed, the constant stream of digital information can lead to overstimulation and distraction, making it difficult to focus on spiritual practices. The team at DayStar Media Labs emphasizes the importance of finding balance, setting aside dedicated time for unplugged spiritual practices, as Psalm 46:10 reminds us, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

“Digital media has become foundational in the spiritual lives of the new generation,” Melniciuc said. “It presents extraordinary opportunities for accessing spiritual content and connecting with faith communities. As we adopt these digital tools, we need to be conscious of their effects on our focus and time.”

A Call for Support

The members of DayStar Media Labs, who now reside in various cities in western Washington and actively utilize their interactive media, game development, and artistic skills both professionally and personally, have developed the first three levels of “Load the Ark” but need community support to complete the remaining five levels.

While the game is free to download, Melniciuc stressed the importance of social media support to reach more audiences, “By downloading the game and sharing it with friends and family, you can help us spread the message and values of the Bible through engaging and educational gameplay.”

The organization aims to continue creating content that positively impacts the spiritual lives of many. “As 3 John 1:4 says, ‘I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.’ That’s what we’re striving for — helping others walk in the truth, even in the digital world,” Melniciuc said.

Experience how “Load the Ark” offers a unique fusion of faith, education, and entertainment to offer a beacon of light in the vast sea of digital content. Download the game at loadtheark.com/download and connect with “Load the Ark” across social media platforms. You can also download the game on Apple AppStore or on Google Play.

The original version of this story was posted on the North Pacific Union Gleaner news site.