“Our customers have been begging us to create console games,” Digital Praise CEO Tom Bean told MTV Multiplayer, "We’d like to be able to go there but we’ll see.”

The company has been putting a lot of time and energy into expansion packs for the game - including some Stryper tracks out in 2009 - but Bean indicated that a move to multi-instrumental gameplay was being considered.

“That’s definitely been part of our discussions," he said, "[...] if it’s compelling then we’ll consider our next steps in that direction.”

Whatever happens with Digital Praise's plans, there is still no credible Christian or Religious DLC for the two main music franchises. Surely Mad Catz could bang out a church organ or a Tibetan Buddhist singing bowl controller for Rock Band? Talk about missed opportunities...

Christian ‘Guitar Hero’ Game Maker Says Demand Is High, Hints At Full Band Game [MTV Multiplayer]

And while Christian targeted games are nothing new — see Left Behind: Eternal Forces, Bible Adventures and Catechumen — there are some genres that escape its influence. The sandbox style crime spree, for example, popularized by Grand Theft Auto.

MTV Multiplayer asked the CEO of Digital Praise Tom Bean just how feasible a project that might be.

"It comes down to what kind of things do you want to do in that world," Bean says, noting that the developer has designs on such a thing, "But creating those kinds of games is not inexpensive." We say go for it, Tom, but lets do this Crusades-style. Keep it fun.

‘Guitar Praise’ Developer Ponders Christian ‘Grand Theft Auto’ [MTV Multiplayer]

MTV Multiplayer has taken delivery of Guitar Praise: Solid Rock — the Christian Rock-themed Guitar Hero knock-off — and performed a solemn unboxing ceremony.

The box itself makes some pretty bold claims of UNPARALLELED GAMEPLAY, informing would-be players that they can SHRED the riffs, THUMP the bass and BLAST that solid Christian Rock.

Inside, there is the game CD (it's a PC game) and the aforementioned guitar - it looks like a hybrid of the GH and Rock Band controller. The strum bar looks like it is covered with that fake plastic chrome effect which wears down to nothing upon contact with sweaty hands.

It's otherwise impossible to judge build quality or features but it seems to include a tilt-switch. The packaging proclaims that you can 'tilt the guitar to activate spinner bonuses to achieve maximum points".

Where do they get these crazy ideas!?!?

It is maybe a little unfair to poke fun at Guitar Praise for lack of originality - after all, if Guitar Hero or Rock Band acknowledged the CR niche then it arguably wouldn't have to exist. Although you could say the same about other genres of music too - if Harmonix don't start listening to me soon I may have to go in to production with Japanese All-Girl Noisecore Band Revolution Hero.

Hallelujah: ‘Guitar Praise’ Unboxed, With Screenshots[MTV Multiplayer]

The description for Guitar Praise: Solid Rock seems a little familiar - Two guitars can be connected at the same time, so two guitarists can play together - either on the same track or one on lead, the other on bass. Players press the fret buttons and strum on the strum bar in time to the color-coded notes as they scroll onscreen.

I'm sure I have heard that somewhere before — almost as though someone has been coveting his neighbour's gameplay.

Anyhoo, GP:SR lets you strum along to the very best in Christian Music - bands like Thousand Foot Krutch, Relient K, the faintly sinister-sounding Whitecross and many more who I am sure actually do exist, but have yet to make it to the secular radio stations here in the UK.

Guitar Praise is out for the PC and Mac in September, lifestyle sold separately.

Guitar Praise: Guitar Hero for Christians [via Boing Boing Gadgets]