Church vs Sony

**LesMTS** · 9th June 2007, 1:14pm

Apparently Manchester cathedral is the setting for a violent scene in some computer game made by Sony.

The Church are demanding the game is removed from all shops and Sony put out an official apology.

The peculiar thing about it is their reasoning, which seems to be that this could encourage gun-fights or firearm related incidents within the cathedral.

Quote:

"We are shocked to see a place of learning, prayer and heritage being presented to the youth market as a location where guns can be fired.

"This is an important issue. For many young people these games offer a different sort of reality and seeing guns in Manchester Cathedral is not the sort of connection we want to make."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/m...er/6736809.stm

**LesMTS** · 9th June 2007, 10:30pm

BBC are running this as their main news story now. Mental.

endless psych · 9th June 2007, 10:35pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by LesMTS

BBC are running this as their main news story now. Mental.

Given the amount of shootings in Manchester I can understand why its quite a sensitive issue like. I'm not sure but I am fairly certain I recall a shooting that occurred in or near a church. (Of course it being a church thats not been used in a video game shoot em up affair it kind of points to the ridiculousness of it all)

I can understand where they are coming from but I think its more misplaced grief then anything else. Afterall the spate of WW2 games has hardly had anyone come out and claim people will soon be going on "video game influenced" rampages in Northen France.

It was always surreal watching BBC North West (with Gordon "how can I mention the Krypton factor today" Burns) kids being shot dead one minute then giant pumpkins at garden fayres the next. Surreal just about covers it.

nevali · 9th June 2007, 10:36pm

Thing is, all the shooting in this game—that I've seen from the clips the BBC is running—is shooting little crawly alien things (they look quite crab/insect-like).

They did, however, wheel out some poor woman whose son was shot in Manchester eight years ago to do a “why won't they just ban violent computer games?” spiel. Sigh.

The following story was Dubya having a chinwag with the Pope, though, which I found hilarious. If anything's going to encourage shootings in churches…

Neil. · 9th June 2007, 10:41pm

This is utterly ridiculas, i'm certain a science fiction film, with a closing scene in the same building would draw no such criticism.

Also, its a game set in an alternate reality in which aliens invaded earth in the 50s, how in gods name is that going to get manchesters street gangs shooting up the cathederal.

If it was a more realistic game based around manchester street crime I could sort of see the problem, but this is really really silly.

Video game hysteria story number 5678 raised by people who have never played ONE video game, let along the one that they are complaining about.

The church, yet again look like fools.

endless psych · 9th June 2007, 10:43pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil.

This is utterly ridiculas, i'm certain a science fiction film, with a closing scene in the same building would draw no such criticism.

The crucial difference is that the sci-fi film is passive and the game interactive. Stupid I know but thats presumably the basis for the hysteria.

Neil. · 9th June 2007, 10:48pm

Films aren't passive, unless its a rubbish film, or a rubbish person watching it, of course.

**LesMTS** · 9th June 2007, 10:53pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil.

If it was a more realistic game based around manchester street crime I could sort of see the problem, but this is really really silly.

The GTA games, possibly the most popular series of games in history (feel free to correct me on this, I'm no games historian), deal with very real and contemporary street crime and involve killing hunners of innocent bystanders in arenas which are very poorly disguised versions of entire American cities.

Neil. · 9th June 2007, 11:01pm

Indeed and I could see a vaguely sensible argument there (i'd disagree but it would still be vaguely sensible).

The thing about GTA is its so ridiculasly cartoonish, its not a realistic simulation of going on a killing spree. Its a cartoonish representation of it. Its the diference between happy feet and march of the penguins.

Ok, rubbish example, but you get the idea.

petpiranha · 12th June 2007, 10:06am

Wouldn't surprise me if Sony is making a donation to the church in return for them kicking up a minor fuss. Church gets funds, Sony gets some cheap publicity for their hugely under-selling console.

but then again I am a conspiracy theorist.

**LesMTS** · 12th June 2007, 10:18am

Quote:

Originally Posted by petpiranha

Wouldn't surprise me if Sony is making a donation to the church in return for them kicking up a minor fuss. Church gets funds, Sony gets some cheap publicity for their hugely under-selling console.

but then again I am a conspiracy theorist.

No. You're a businessman.

TSR · 12th June 2007, 11:59am

Quote:

Originally Posted by petpiranha

Wouldn't surprise me if Sony is making a donation to the church in return for them kicking up a minor fuss. Church gets funds, Sony gets some cheap publicity for their hugely under-selling console.

but then again I am a conspiracy theorist.

i agree with LesMTS

i wonder how much the church whores itself for

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edit: i agree, btw. total BS. we should kick (all) religon out of the uk