Sony Halts Shipment of PS3 Game "LittleBigPlanet" for Offensive Content
Talk about an oopsie: Sony has halted the shipment of its upcoming PlayStation 3 game LittleBigPlanet due to offending lyrics in one of its music tracks.
On Friday Sony’s Director of Corporate Communications and Social Media Patrick "quit-asking-me-to-give-you-more-details" Seybold sent out an email to the press stating that the upcoming PlayStation 3 exclusive game LittleBigPlanet will not ship on October 21 as originally planned. The delay stems from negative feedback surrounding a song located in the game’s soundtrack despite its "E" rating.
"During the review process prior to the release of LittleBigPlanet, it has been brought to our attention that one of the background music tracks licensed from a record label for use in the game contains two expressions that can be found in the Qur’an," he said. "We have taken immediate action to rectify this and we sincerely apologize for any offense that this may have caused. We will begin shipping LittleBigPlanet to retail in North America the week of October 27. Sorry for the delay, and rest assured, we are doing everything we can to get LittleBigPlanet to you as soon as possible. "
More specifically, Grammy award-winning artist Toumani Diabate recorded the song in question - "Tapha Niang" - back in 2006. However, a Muslim player tuned in to the Qur’an reference and took offense at the mixture between the words of the Islamic holy book and the upbeat background music. The consumer promptly requested Sony to remove the entire song as written in this forum post. "We Muslims consider the mixing of music and words from our Holy Quran deeply offending," said the offended gamer simply known as yasser. "We hope you would remove that track from the game immediately via an online patch, and make sure that all future shipments of the game disk do not contain it."
Developer Media Molecule wanted to release a day-one patch that would remove the song entirely, but Sony decided against the idea and felt that replacing the current disk supply would be the proper thing to do. While that may work overall, the problem will not go away entirely, as there are still "offending" press copies floating around out there in the media community, including the hands of Tom’s Games. Although there are no malicious intentions to distribute the offending material, someone with a copy of the game may not be quite as sincere.
As of now, Sony is recalling all copies of the game currently stocked in retail outlets such as Wal-Mart and GameStop, previous poised ready for the now-canceled October 21 ship date. Currently the game’s online servers are not up and running, and with the new ship date pushed back until the week of October 27, Sony has not specified if the servers will keep the original launch date, or wait for the official release next week. The online portion of LittleBigPlanet is a huge component, allowing players to share their creations - whether it’s a Sackboy outfit or an entire side-scrolling level - with other LittleBigPlanet gamers.
Despite the song in question, the LittleBigPlanet beta did extremely well when released to participants on the PlayStation Network weeks ago, and so far, the full game looks to set new standards for platform gaming easily. The game is simply brilliant, and should help propel PlayStation 3 sales this holiday season. Look for our review of LittleBigPlanet over on Tom’s Games in the next week or so.
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You can play GTA which allows you to do driveby's, beat down people, pick up a hooker, do drug runs, pretty much everything under the sun. BUT, Heaven forbid something is said or done about the Quran. All various religions are spit on, mocked, and ridiculed everyday but nooooo, the Quran is off limits. I would love to see someone finally take a stand against this.
So if they don't like singing phrases from the Qu'ran, what exactly do they like singing? *sigh* Why does the everything stop and change for no other religion but Islam? I'm not really pointing the finger at Muslims (because I'm sure they're not the only people who complain), I'm pointing the finger at the gutless people they complain to.
Well while I agree with the fella above, I have to say I know nothing of this "Qur’an," and honestly this is giving something a little more than is reserved I say. Of coarse Sony has already made the mind of the matter one could say. But also stated, this song and artist has been around if you bothered to look..so WHY now..I call shenanigans..and an unnecessary knee-jerk reaction.
I have to say I know nothing of this "Qur’an,"
You may have heard of the Koran though, same thing, easier-to-spell name.
Right..thanks for the direction although if you just take what I said for literal speech. Then seriously I KNOW nothing of it and honestly unless its effecting my people and my way of life should I care? I should not, perhaps that's considered a luxury? My point is if I were going to buy the game it might have just lost something different and unique..but I doubt it.
If someone is offended by a game, then they should not buy it. Who gives a crap about a holly book? I don't!!! I can't even believe that such a big company as SONY is entertaining this idea.
If someone is offended by a game, then they should not buy it. Who gives a crap about a holly book? I don't!!! I can't even believe that such a big company as SONY is entertaining this idea.
Sony are trying to avoid a lawsuit, and I'm pretty sure that if they released the game as it was they'd damn well get one. Probably on the grounds of discrimination or something, it would probably work too.
Will someone think of the pirate that's going to rip the uncensored version; 10 years in hiding under government protection. LOL.
I am a muslim, and I think they are doing a great thing. I respect the fact that they respect our way of life. We don't take kindly to offensive behavior, treat others as you would want to be treated.
O and @ randomizer, no they're are avoiding something much worse, perhaps a riot. Remember the cartoon of Prophet Muhammed[pbuh]?
I am a muslim, and I think they are doing a great thing. I respect the fact that they respect our way of life. We don't take kindly to offensive behavior, treat others as you would want to be treated.
So I take it that blasphemy against Jesus in the majority of games ok then? Because I'm pretty sure no game developer or publisher has gone out of their way to change that. Funny how they'll do anything for Islam though.
The only thing that sony is doing is avoiding losing sales, only that.
Even if I think it's not worth removing a song from the disk andremanufacture all the disks again ($$$) but if someone feels offended by that track i think it's worth it doing all that.
Screw that let them be offended! I'm tired of all this "I'm offended crap". If you're so offended DON'T PLAY IT, DON'T WATCH IT, DON'T LISTEN TO IT! But don't try to stop it from coming out at all.
From a business stand point. I get stopping it and pulling it back as it is only one song, and could cost them money. I just wish more people would take a stand, and say if you don't like it to damn bad.
O and @ randomizer, no they're are avoiding something much worse, perhaps a riot. Remember the cartoon of Prophet Muhammed[pbuh]?
True, 'cause we know for a fact violence is pretty much the only thing on most muslim's minds when things don't go their way... then you wonder why most non-muslims see you as threats to their way of lives.
It's a %$^&$#^%# game for crying out loud, with a stupid song about the stupid Qur'an.
I dream of a world without religion... war about land, power, greed, etc... although still bad, can be fixed. Wars on religions can't.
@Dechy: Agreed totally. I think this is just utter BS.
What if I say game X offends me because it has references to a religion and I'm atheist? Could I get all the religious references removed? Heck no... But of course, Sony doesn't want a Jihad called against them for a simple SONG that's so subtle the guy had to ask his friends to make sure he heard well!
If you don't like the song, don't play the game. Now I wish Sony would sue the whole Muslim world for the cash loss and the waste generated by this total bullshit (Of course I know that's impossible, but I'd wish). Scrapping probably tens of thousands of Blu-Ray discs for no reason whatsoever? I don't blame Sony, they did the right thing for their business, I blame the constantly offended Muslims. Get over it, please!..
"So I take it that blasphemy against Jesus in the majority of games ok then? Because I'm pretty sure no game developer or publisher has gone out of their way to change that. Funny how they'll do anything for Islam though.
"
well randomizer u have to keep in mind if the developers ever did such a thing and I am sure they have done that countless times but if the christians ever felt the need of saying it is not correct then it would have been a different story...I dont know why but christaians these days are taking their religion and scripture way too lightly...no offense but all the remarks against this lawsuite are telling the same story...because if there was anything that could offend a Christian in a game then he or she should let the others know and in a cultured society the "others" should be decent enough to promptly rectify the mistake which sony did in this case so..whats the problem....ppl spilling hatefull comments for a video game...MY GOD just look how tolerant v have all grown up to...a video game ..unbelieveable......and please to all of us who say "I dont give a crap" or "i dont care"...well then that could be a two way process...others might say the same about you when u dont like something...so be decent and act like educated and responsible ppl living in a mutual world.
no decky my freind that is not true...its light years away from the truth...every muslim doesnt have violance as the first thing in his mind...please stop believing your local news and newspapers blindly and get a cable so u can see bbc and other channels as well
"We don't take kindly to offensive behavior, treat others as you would want to be treated"
Enter the real world buddy! If Muslims are that sensitive to this kind of rubish, they all deserve what they are getting in the world view right now.
Course the fact that they (or anyone) belive a book is "fact" or "holy" is the reason for all the worlds troubles.
Week willed, week minded people cause the rest of us to suffer on such benign things as GAMES, how unbelievably stupid!
I'm sure Yasser will be receiving a free Xbox360 for his dedication to respecting the Qur’an
I believe the game should be released as is. If it offends anyone then they don't have to purchase it.
If this makes the Muslims go crazy again and start rioting so be it because they are only showing how foolish they are.
I thought the US didn't negotiate with terrorists? Why do we let these minority groups get away with this crap?
How did we let America become such a pussy? 1 guy complains and that is enough to stop an entire multi-national corporation? What planet is this?
I'm sure this will boost the song download sales....
I thought the US didn't negotiate with terrorists? Why do we let these minority groups get away with this crap?How did we let America become such a pussy? 1 guy complains and that is enough to stop an entire multi-national corporation? What planet is this?
mataichi ..i feel sad educated ppl like u are saying that...1.4 billion ppl is not a minority...more then 1400 years and suddenly in a few years they become terrorists...my friend it is a sincere and humble request to please not blindly follow the local news paper and tv...their is a big world outside the bubble we live in...u donot know both sides of the story so please dont say things like terrorists = muslims....
its a sad day for me to read your comment really that is just ignorance at its highest
but.....what does TAPHIA NIANG mean?
anyways, sony or the artist who made the song seems guilty.
why the trouble, if it wasn't intentional at all.
Your right Muslims aren't necessarily terrorists. Infact most aren't
However this doesn't change Islam from being a disgusting religion and perhaps the most opposing religion when it comes to human rights.
mbbs20
""""mataichi ..i feel sad educated ppl like u are saying that...1.4 billion ppl is not a minority...more then 1400 years and suddenly in a few years they become terrorists...my friend it is a sincere and humble request to please not blindly follow the local news paper and tv...their is a big world outside the bubble we live in...u donot know both sides of the story so please dont say things like terrorists = muslims....
its a sad day for me to read your comment really that is just ignorance at its highest """"
in over 6bil, 1.4 is a minority, both globally and in the US. Oh, and the majority of the most dangerous tenets of radical islam have been continually in existence since 670, but modern weapons and the fanaticism of large populations has only been possible in recent times. Sony made a smart move to avoid any potential litigation, but there's a double standard being upheld for the Islamic minority which must at no costs be antagonized--and that is unfair.
bro u base your comments on what basis?..let me know the opposing teaching against human rights and i'll be most happily (GOD willing) answer your misconceptions...but please all that "disgusting" and rage should be put aside while we talk ..ok?
mbbs20""""mataichi ..i feel sad educated ppl like u are saying that...1.4 billion ppl is not a minority...more then 1400 years and suddenly in a few years they become terrorists...my friend it is a sincere and humble request to please not blindly follow the local news paper and tv...their is a big world outside the bubble we live in...u donot know both sides of the story so please dont say things like terrorists = muslims....its a sad day for me to read your comment really that is just ignorance at its highest """"in over 6bil, 1.4 is a minority, both globally and in the US. Oh, and the majority of the most dangerous tenets of radical islam have been continually in existence since 670, but modern weapons and the fanaticism of large populations has only been possible in recent times. Sony made a smart move to avoid any potential litigation, but there's a double standard being upheld for the Islamic minority which must at no costs be antagonized--and that is unfair.
my friend 1.4 from 6 is not a minority...its not like 6 - 1.4..its 6-1.4 muslims- christians- jews -hindus- hundred more religions...its the percentage from the 6 that counts when it has been divided into the constituents......islam the second largest and fastest growing religion....and your educated comment on radical islam from 670 is unbelivably naive...even if there were a hand full of ignorant so called muslims from 670 then that has been part of every major religion to date...a radical muslim = a criminal = not a muslim ...please keep your concepts clear...a person who harms another for a bad reason is oxymoron for muslim...
I am a muslim, and I think they are doing a great thing. I respect the fact that they respect our way of life. We don't take kindly to offensive behavior, treat others as you would want to be treated.
It is good that they respected you, but they did not respect me. I am an atheist, and this decision disrespected me. I could be offended that someone's religious views took precedence over my views (and the views of those with similar beliefs), but I am not. Mostly I feel disappointment.
One of the biggest sources of disappointment is the lack of conviction such cries of offense demonstrate. What threat to your faith does it pose if someone says "I do not believe Allah is the one true God" or sings from the Qur'an for artistic interpretation? How do these acts of others shatter your faith or conviction?
Perhaps it is not that you are offended, but you fear others may loose their faith - children, siblings, or friends may loose their faith if they find out there are those who question your belief's views?
Respect walks hand in hand with tolerance and forgiveness. Tolerance means accepting that there are those who have views that differ from your own. Forgiveness means being at peace with someone who has differing views. If you cannot tolerate my views and forgive me for having them, then you do not respect me.
I sincerely hope in the future we all find a way to truly respect one another.
I understand him being offended allright. But what happens with other religions? I mean. in the case of christianity, Jesus and the bible get mocked in everyway possible and if they complain people treat them like fundamentalist and intolerant. A muslim complain about a song in a game and suddenly Sony recalls all the game. Thats a BIG WTF! lol. I think they are afraid of being the target of a holy war or something jaja.
MDillenbeck,
Most eloquent, and 100% true. Too bad the rest of the world is too naive to understand what you've said.
Jesus and the Bible get mocked in everyway possible and nobody seems to do anything about it and if a christian complain people call him fundamentalist and/or intolerant. A muslim complains about a song in a game and Sony does a full recall. Way to go.