Far Cry |03/09/2025| Rev. Elation's Sunday Service

The Folly of Chasing Wind: The Lesson in Ubisoft’s Fall

Heavenly Father, we gather before You today seeking Your guidance and truth. Open our eyes to see the temptations of this world, and grant us the wisdom to choose Your eternal path over fleeting trends. Speak to us now, Lord, through Your Word and Your Spirit, that we may live faithfully for You. Amen.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we’re going to talk about a video game that many of you might know—"Far Cry." It’s the first in a series created by a company called Ubisoft, a name that once meant adventure, excitement, and wild storytelling. Back in 2004, when "Far Cry" first hit the shelves, it was a game about survival, exploration, and facing danger head-on in a tropical paradise gone wrong. It captured the hearts of gamers everywhere, building a loyal following who trusted Ubisoft to deliver thrilling experiences. But today, as we prepare to dive into this classic on our livestream, I want to talk about what’s happened to Ubisoft since then—and what God’s Word has to say about it.
You see, Ubisoft isn’t the company it used to be. Over the years, they’ve turned their backs on the fans who made them great. Instead of crafting games that honor their core audience—gamers like you who love adventure, challenge, and fun—they’ve started chasing trends, bowing to the loud voices of the world, and injecting modern societal issues into their products. Take their recent game, "Assassin’s Creed Shadows." They decided to feature a character named Yasuke, portrayed as a black samurai in feudal Japan. Now, Yasuke was a real historical figure, but the idea of him as a full-fledged samurai is a stretch—more fiction than fact. Ubisoft didn’t care about historical truth or the fans who wanted an authentic experience. They chased the wind of modern agendas, hoping to win favor with the cultural merchants of today, and in doing so, they alienated the very people who built their empire.
This isn’t just about one game. It’s a pattern. Ubisoft has poured money into microtransactions, unfinished releases, and trendy ideas instead of focusing on what made their games special. And now? They’re facing financial ruin. Their stock has plummeted, their projects are failing, and fans are walking away. They’ve forsaken their own for the sake of fleeting gain, and the Bible has a lot to say about that.
Let’s turn to Ecclesiastes 1:14: “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, wrote these words. He’d seen it all—wealth, power, pleasure—and he realized that chasing the things of this world is like trying to catch the wind. You can run after it all day, but you’ll never hold it. Ubisoft thought they could chase the trends, appease the powerful voices of culture, and come out on top. But like Solomon warned, it’s meaningless. They’ve reaped the whirlwind instead.
This isn’t just a warning for companies—it’s a warning for us. Proverbs 1:10-11 says, “My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them. If they say, ‘Come along with us… we will get all sorts of valuable things,’ do not set foot on their paths.” Ubisoft gave in to the enticement of the world. They traded their integrity and their fans for the promise of “valuable things”—money, approval, relevance. But Galatians 6:7 reminds us, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Ubisoft sowed betrayal, and now they’re reaping ruin. They deserve it, not because we wish them harm, but because God’s justice is real. When you forsake what’s true and good, you invite destruction.
Think about the fans who trusted Ubisoft. For years, they bought the games, shared the stories, and cheered for more. They were like a family, united by a love for these worlds. But Ubisoft betrayed that trust, just like Judas betrayed Jesus. In Matthew 26:14-15, we read, “Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, ‘What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?’ So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.” Judas sold out his Lord and his friends for a handful of coins. Ubisoft sold out their fans for the approval of the world’s merchants. And just like Judas, they’re finding that the reward isn’t worth the cost.
So what does this mean for us? As you watch me play "Far Cry" today, I want you to think about this: What are you chasing? Are you chasing the wind—trying to fit in, follow trends, or please the loud voices around you? Or are you chasing God’s truth, staying faithful to what’s right, even when it’s hard? Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Ubisoft sought the world’s kingdom and lost everything. But if we seek God’s kingdom, we gain life that lasts forever.
Don’t follow Ubisoft’s example, kids. Don’t forsake your friends, your family, or your faith for the sake of what’s popular today. Trends fade. Money disappears. The merchants of this world will use you and leave you empty. But God’s love, His truth, His way—that’s a treasure worth chasing. As Psalm 37:4 says, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Not the desires of the world, but the desires God plants in you—desires for what’s good, true, and eternal.
In closing…
Lord Jesus, we thank You for Your Word, which guides us through the temptations of this world. Forgive us for the times we’ve chased the wind, seeking approval or gain over Your truth. Help us to learn from Ubisoft’s folly, to stay faithful to You and to those who trust us. May we seek Your kingdom first, trusting that You will provide all we need. Bless our time together today as we play and reflect on Your lessons. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.