Unreserved via full page advert: Sony apologizes to Manchester church again

Posted Jul 6, 2007 at 6:47PM by QJ Staff Listed in: PS3 Tags: Rogers Govender, Sony
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Sony Computer Entertainment - Image 1Amidst pressure from the Manchester Cathedral legal team, Sony has reiterated its apologies for offending the Anglican Church and said that it's doing so this time in an "unreserved" fashion - they're going all out and even posted a full page ad in the Manchester Evening News, expressing their regret for the incident.

The firm first apologized last month after the English Church cried foul over the depiction of the Manchester Cathedral as a venue for carnage between humans and aliens in the first-person shooter Resistance: Fall of Man. It can be recalled that even if it did apologize earlier, the company seemed to indicate that it didn't require the consent of the church to use its images. However, the new apology states:

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.


And while Sony has softened its stance somewhat, the church is holding its tough line. If the church has its way, it will have one of Sony's best-selling games off store shelves and have the Japanese firm donate to the anti-gun campaigns that the church recognizes.

"We still fear that the next buildings to be cloned for virtual desecration could be a mosque, synagogue, temple or other church," says Rev. Rogers Govender, Dean of the Manchester Church.

In a show of additional initiative, the Anglican Church issued a guideline to retailers and game makers on how to avoid such incidents, urging them to minimize the creation of offensive content which can harm the public and offend various sectors.

 
 
 

Comments

by Spector - 2007-07-06 19:48:51
This Just In!!!!

Egyptians are in a frenzy after they discovered massive amounts of violence being displayed inside pyramids in Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin. "We cannot believe these irresponsible game developers have gone so far as to have people killing the actual inhabitants of the tombs. Not only that, but the showing of a demonic presence there is beyond blasphemy!" Konami representative Alucard was quoted saying "What?!"
by - 2007-07-06 21:59:40
annoying

Make manhunt 3 at the vatican! Pope is ultimate foe. 2 Defeat him, shoot at the gemstones on his hat. After he has entered his second form, use the sword of chaos to stab its head. Pope will only die when the worlds children give up hope, so make sure you bring lots of ammo and health packs.
by - 2007-07-06 22:50:36
LMFAO! AT ABOVE!@#

Great idea Snowspot! lmfao This is all the censorship BS that UK and US preach everyday. People say they dont like it then turn around and do nothing about it. We cant really help what the church does though... its a lost cause... wait a minute... it always was! THEY KILLED THE IDEA OF RELIGION FOR THE GREATER GOOD OF MAN KIND! THOSE BASTARDS! *reminiscent of South Park :P* HURRAH!
by - 2007-07-07 04:39:24
news flash

Konami representative "Dracula" also noted "i was called here by Humans who wish to pay me tribute" and " but what is a man, a miserable little pile of secrets? enough talk!..."
by - 2007-07-07 05:48:44
booo

I think john cena needs to STFU them and show them who's the top dog, but in the mean time lets make a petition to over throw idiots like this guy who complains about a game, what a loser. don't they have something better to do then waste our times.
by - 2007-07-07 07:51:02
Manchester Cathedral

There must not be too many church goers here, because if they were to use my church in a video game in a disrepectful manner, I woud be offended. I go to church on Sundays and I am a born again Christian. I do play games like Grand Theft Auto and Mortal Kombat, I own all the PS2 and PSP Grand Theft Auto games. The only thing that a petition like Stealth's would do is land some asses in court over some 1st Amendment issues. Trust me, those types of lawsuits can get ugly. Ben
by - 2007-07-07 10:27:54
Disrespectful manner?

You're aware the objective isn't to blow the church up, right? You spend about five minutes tops inside it, and it was being used as a freaking field hospital.
by - 2007-07-07 11:02:11
adds on to Barakku

^ ,Even so, the point is that they were offended. People can be easily offended at things that we might not find offensive at all, and seeing as how there is still a lot of power in the church, it might be wise of sony to either alter the enviornment, or just nix that level and come up with something else. I've played Resistence only a few times, so I don't actually remember ever fighting at a church... but still.
by - 2007-07-07 13:00:47
oh pleasee..

there was nothing disprespectful at all.. i'm a church-goer and i feel like sticking my middle finger up the church of england's PR rep's ass.
by Morbidly - 2007-07-07 13:52:42
omfg

Rogers Govender = the biggest f.a.g. in the world
by - 2007-07-07 18:42:38
umm

Yea believe it or not, Churches are extremely rich and they are influential. Churches can make people do anything because of all the loyal people they have. Religion started because kings and queens wanted control over their people without having to scare them, so they made religions to promote teachings to the people of their countries. Religion is a major role in economy, especially to the ancient civilizations. God isnt real people, god was made by high rulers during ancient times to civilize their own people.

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