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[BlueRondo]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7679151.stm

Game delayed over Koran phrases

Expectations for the game are huge
Entertainment company Sony has postponed the global release of a much- anticipated video game because of concerns that it may offend Muslims.

Copies of LittleBigPlanet are being recalled from shops worldwide after it emerged that a background music track contained two phrases from the Koran.

Sony says it apologises for any offence caused, and that a modified version is due to be released next month.

The game is expected to be a hit for the Playstation 3 games console.

A contributor to an online games forum reported the presence of the phrases from the Koran, adding that mixing music and words from Islam's most holy text could be considered deeply offensive by Muslims.

Eighteen months ago, Sony apologised to the Church of England after setting scenes in a violent video game inside Manchester Cathedral.

On that occasion the game was not withdrawn.

LittleBigPlanet, created by developer Media Molecule, has been described as a game about making games.

A platform title, it lets gamers built their own playground levels and then swap them with other players over the PlayStation Network.

Everything that can be seen in LittleBigPlanet can also be created by gamers - from textures, characters, to objects and levels.

[Platinum Dragon]

So everyone's afraid they might offend muslims (who are, as a whole, reasonable enough people that they would likely have taken it in stride anyway), but those silly Bible-bashers get ignored?

Maybe terrorism is working. >.>

On a more serious note, why on earth should speaking phrases from the Kur'an be offensive? It's a scripture which has had major roles in shaping the world as we live in it today, it should be expected to end up in popular culture, much like all the other judeo-christian scriptures do. Some people need to take their religion a touch less seriously, methinks.

[Adam]

On a more serious note, why on earth should speaking phrases from the Kur'an be offensive?

My understanding is that mixing speech from the Koran and music is considered offensive; it's not just the inclusion of them in the game.

While I don't think that any publisher should feel obligated to not do legal things that may offend someone, if they CHOOSE to change things to the least-offensive path, well, that's no better or no worse than choosing to do something that may be offensive.