Sony Says ‘Really, Really Sorry” To Church. Again. July 8, 2007
Read more Consoles , Gadgets , Games , Home Entertainment , PS3
The people of Manchester – most of whom didn’t know or give a crap about this little potboiler anyway – have received an unreserved apology from Sony for using the Manchester Cathedral in its PS3 shooter, Resistance: Fall of Man.
The Church of England kicked up a storm recently about the cathedral being used as a backdrop in the sci-fi game, spuriously claiming it would somehow contribute to Manchester’s already spiralling gun-related crime. The outrage would have been more pious and genuine if the CoE hadn’t gone and demanded some cash too.
It called for Sony to fork out some dosh to help its youth charities in the area – cynics stifle your guffaws. Anyway, Sony has dished up the apology but there’s no mention of charitable cash, although lawyers for the church are still in talks with the contrite Sony. David Reeves, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, said:
“It is clear to us that the connection between the congregation and the cathedral is a deeply personal and spiritual one. As a result, it is also clear that we have offended some of the congregation by using the cathedral in our science fiction game. It was never our intention to offend anyone in the making of this game, and we would like to apologise unreservedly to them for causing that offence, and to all parts of the community who we might also have offended.”
Great, now the handful of offended do-gooders can get back to spit-polishing their halos while Sony can, no doubt in the eyes of some, get back to corrupting the weak-minded youth of today with its sick, evil and twisted games. Amen.-Martin Lynch
Editor and Contributor | Martin Lynch
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Comments
I'm sorry, but have you no respect at all?
Sony, and the studio that made Resistance, used Manchester Cathedral as the backdrop for a video game that is clearly opposite to the message that the Church speaks, without permission.
How can you blame the Church for this when Sony are the ones to blame for using it in the first place. They should have demonstrated more sensitivity, especially considering that Manchester is notorious for its increasing gun crime.
It's a computer game one should be able to differentiate between that and real life. I'm sure the church weren't complaining about violence when they went on the crusades.......
For once i am actually taking Sony's side on this matter.
I echo everything Daniel says. It's not about being able to differentiate between real life and video games, it's about respect.
As for the comment about the Crusades, things have moved on a bit since then and the Church issued an official apology about them too.
Its supposed to be ironic, having a battle in a church. You know, like when a clown dies.
To be honest, I'd probably have more sympathy for the church if the game wasn't based around killing giant mutant insects. I mean, if it was like one of the GTA games then I could see their point but to say that this will inspire gun crime is just plain stupid.
Its ridiculous. Its a historical building and they used it in a game. So what. Now if they have some sort of copyright or trademark on the specific church then sue for that, but this violent video games cause violence story is getting old.
Very, very old Jack Thompson.