Choosing a pope is not a typical premise for a video game, but Stephen Haliczer also isn’t your typical video game creator.

Haliczer, a distinguished research professor, designed the game for a new online course he is teaching on the history of the Roman Catholic Church.

The game might be the first of its kind, Haliczer said.

“It is probably the first online simulation game in the country that has been designed specifically for a course,” he said. “I have always been interested in the potential for games and simulations as teaching tools and I have been experimenting with them for several years now.”

Arlene Neher, director of the college of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ office of external programs, said she isn’t surprised by Haliczer’s creativity.

“He’s scholarly, energetic and very devoted to his subject matter, and he is one of few faculty members in the college who has embraced this online education,” he said. “Now, he’s developed this wonderful video game, which really shows a certain whimsical aspect to his personality.”

Haliczer said the course isn’t centered on the religion itself. Instead, he intends to probe the evolution of the Roman Catholic Church as an institution from the 16th century to the present.

Haliczer hopes to put the modern crises of the Catholic Churdch into a historical perspective.

“I think the Roman Catholic Church is undergoing its most serious crisis since the French Revolution,” he said. “It is very much having to deal with very significant problems. These problems are not necessarily new, but have resurfaced in a very dramatic, different form.”

Haliczer first became interested in the Roman Catholic Church when he lived in Spain. He since has written several books on the subject.

Kathy Wright, associate professor in the college of liberal arts and sciences, said Haliczer is well-regarded in the academic community.

“He is this world expert on the Spanish Inquisition,” she said. “Yet he has repackaged a lot of his research and knowledge in the new format that technology makes possible. It is truly a refreshing and different look.”

Part of that refreshing and new look is the simulation “Conclave,” which details the entire pope selection process. Other simulations include “Surviving the Spanish Inquisition” and “Making Saints.”

Wright said the class, HIST 320, will convene on Saturday mornings for live chat sessions and is nearly full.

For more information, call 753-5200.