The question sounds offhand, but: can studying the Bible and learning about the Christian life actually be fun? Christians in all countries would instinctively answer an emphatic, “yes”, but those outside the fold might take some convincing, particularly young people who make playing video games their religion.
One company is trying to do something about that: Left Behind Games Inc. (OTCBB:LFBG), also known as Inspired Media Entertainment, is a leading publisher of Christian video games, based in Murrieta, California, which has devised a series of video games aimed at teaching positive values, appealing to mainstream and “faith-based” audiences.
As September drew to a close, LFBG showed it had hit paydirt with one of history’s great retailers, announcing that two of its latest PC games will be available in Walmart Stores (NYSE:WMT) nationally before the end of October, just in time for the Christmas rush.
Left Behind 3: Rise of the Antichrist is the third game based upon the number-one New York Times best-selling novel series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, which has sold more than 65 million copies worldwide. Yet another game bundle, Charlie Church Mouse: Superpack, features the famous TV show character, in an effort to reach pre-school, kindergarten and early elementary school kids.
Pardon the pun, but LFBG has fixed an objective of “superstardom” in the field of Christian entertainment, which covers such areas as books, radio, TV, films and music. The company is already on the ground floor, and traveling higher by its accomplishments in the video game field. WMT obviously agrees.
Others in LFBG’s stable of popular video games include Keys of the Kingdom, taking place back in the Arthurian court of Camelot. Company literature reads : “You will move back in time and try to help Sir Lancelot save the township from the oppressive King. Along the journey to the King's castle, Sir Lancelot and his faithful horse will need to solve many exciting puzzles invented by the guards who block your way. Outsmart them all to reach your goal and meet the King.”
The week before the Walmart announcement, LFBG told investors, and those who wanted to be, that revenue for the last two fiscal quarters exceeded $210,000, dwarfing income in any two consecutive quarters since the company's inception.
This stock sells in the millions of shares, almost on a daily basis. On September 30, the number ballooned to more than 400 million, driving the per-share price up 8% to about 13-100ths of a cent, but intraday rose significantly more. The 52-week high for LFBG was 6.7 cents, achieved early last October; however, its low point of eight-100ths of a cent was dipped to only the week before the announcements of inroads into Walmart. For investors interested in promoting positive values within its audience, and prospering as a result, this stock merits a look.
