Sony Pulls Game in Fear of Offending Muslims
Oct 20, 2008 Saudi News
Little Big Planet
Story
The release of one of the most hotly awaited computer games in the past year has been delayed over concerns some of the background music may offend Muslims.
“LittleBigPlanet” has been delayed due to background music that Muslims may find offensive.
“LittleBigPlanet,” described by review Web site IGN.com as an “instant classic,” has been pulled from warehouses after it was noticed that one of its music tracks contained words from the Islamic holy text, the Quran.
Source CNN.com
Commentary
So a game is polled off the shelf just as it was being launched due to complaints from Muslims that one of the tracks in the game consisted of Koranic verses with music. I have to say I am conflicted about this. On the one hand I applaud Sony for respect Muslims and not wishing to offend them (even if its all about business). However I do believe that Muslims are becoming oversensitive. If something offends you don’t buy it don’t go out and start an outcry. Why are Muslims making big deals about cartoons, games, movies etc.. when there are more serious problems out there? We have poverty, illiteracy, famine, terrorism, etc… Muslim civilisation has fallen because Muslims forgot the big picture and whats important. Its time Muslims figured whats important and stop being babies.
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October 20th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
I am not a Muslim but I believe that all religions should be sensitive with regard to portraying another religion in a bad light. I don’t know what the words were being played on the Sony game, but if it was something positive from the Koran, why not? I know that ‘Jesus Christ, Superstar’ was a huge hit and I don’t think that Christians found it offensive.
October 21st, 2008 at 12:00 am
Interesting take. I had not even heard about this controversial content featured in the game - probably in large part because I live in the united states. Enough said. When I visit them on holidays, my parents who are die hard Christians and give me a hard time when I watch shows that make “anti-Christian” jokes as they put it. I agree with you that it is good that the content is not removed and if you are offended by it don’t buy it, watch it, or listen to it.
I myself am pumped for Little Big Planet - a cool concept game.
October 21st, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Your story does not contain as much detail as it could; the song Sony was worried about contained a sample from a song titled “Tapha Niang,” composed by the Muslim kora player and world musician Toumani Diabate. The song featured in the game contained two lines of Arabic Qu’ranic verse. No Muslims have expressed any opposition to the game as of yet, as it has not been released: your commentary suggests they have already reacted, which is not accurate. Sony pre-emptively withdrew the game on the fear that it would provoke a negative response, not because any had been expressed. The thousands of game discs, currently in warehouses, will be pulped and the rectified game repressed. I hope this extra information helps.
October 23rd, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Anon, Thanks for the feedback. I only posted part of the story to read the whole store you need to click on the link for the source. Also LBP was released in Asia and Europe and quickly pulled off the shelves it wasn’t available in the USA yet. There were complaints from Muslims but they were minor and from first players and Sony decided that one religious complaint was one to many and didn’t want this to go beyond that. Trust me if they ignored that single complaint they would be facing thousands and maybe a million of other complaints as some religious zealous would use it to attack Sony and turn the Muslim nation against it which is bad business wise for Sony, How do I know? lets just say when I mentioned this story to some people I knew their reaction was negative.
November 18th, 2008 at 1:55 am
Anon I guess cleared things up. Although I do see your positioning. I think the extremities of religion matched with being politically correct has created quite a hectic situation where companies attempt to walk on egg shells not to disturb or hurt a religion, group of people, etc. I personally find it offensive that everyone gets so offended by such meaningless and pointless things. I wish we could mature as a civilization and ‘grow’ up past these petty emotions. Who knows… only time will tell if thats at all possible.