Church Slams Resistance BAFTA Nomination
“A disgrace that it has been shortlisted…. Virtual desecration”
SPOnG cannot wait for the videogame BAFTAs, which take place in Battersea on October 23rd. The great and the good of the UK games industry will come together to clap each other on the backs, drink and be merry about the fact that the games industry is finally getting some serious appreciation.
However, one fellow who is not so pumped about the BAFTA awards is the Dean of Manchester Cathedral, Reverend Rogers Morgan Govender, who is particularly annoyed about the fact that Sony’s Sci-Fi Shooter, Resistance: Fall of Man has been nominated for an award.
You no doubt remember that Resistance: Fall of Man was criticised by the Bishop of Manchester, Nigel McCulloch, earlier this year because it features Manchester Cathedral as a backdrop to a violent gunfight with marauding aliens.
Sony - setting a rather dangerous precedent for the games industry - backed down and eventually apologised to church leaders for using the imagery in the game.
On hearing that Resistance: Fall of Man is now up for a BAFTA award – the PC World Gamer’s Award chosen by the public – the Very Rev Govender slammed the decision of THE PUBLIC claiming that the nomination is a "disgrace" and that other churches remained at risk of exploitation.
In a statement, the Dean said: "It is a disgrace that Resistance: Fall of Man has been shortlisted. Sony has admitted that they did not have permission to film or use Manchester Cathedral in their computer game.
He continues: "BAFTA should not be seen condoning such behaviour unless they are saying it is acceptable for producers to walk into historic buildings and film interiors - ignoring contracts, rights and liability."
BAFTA’s head of awards, Anne-Marie Flynn, said: "Resistance: Fall Of Man has been nominated for the PC World Gamers' Award - the only publicly-voted award in this year's ceremony. The shortlist for the Gamers' Award was effectively selected by the public, in that it comprised the top-selling games on each platform according to the games charts published by Chart Track."
Stay tuned for more BAFTA news shortly…
However, one fellow who is not so pumped about the BAFTA awards is the Dean of Manchester Cathedral, Reverend Rogers Morgan Govender, who is particularly annoyed about the fact that Sony’s Sci-Fi Shooter, Resistance: Fall of Man has been nominated for an award.
You no doubt remember that Resistance: Fall of Man was criticised by the Bishop of Manchester, Nigel McCulloch, earlier this year because it features Manchester Cathedral as a backdrop to a violent gunfight with marauding aliens.
Sony - setting a rather dangerous precedent for the games industry - backed down and eventually apologised to church leaders for using the imagery in the game.
On hearing that Resistance: Fall of Man is now up for a BAFTA award – the PC World Gamer’s Award chosen by the public – the Very Rev Govender slammed the decision of THE PUBLIC claiming that the nomination is a "disgrace" and that other churches remained at risk of exploitation.
In a statement, the Dean said: "It is a disgrace that Resistance: Fall of Man has been shortlisted. Sony has admitted that they did not have permission to film or use Manchester Cathedral in their computer game.
He continues: "BAFTA should not be seen condoning such behaviour unless they are saying it is acceptable for producers to walk into historic buildings and film interiors - ignoring contracts, rights and liability."
BAFTA’s head of awards, Anne-Marie Flynn, said: "Resistance: Fall Of Man has been nominated for the PC World Gamers' Award - the only publicly-voted award in this year's ceremony. The shortlist for the Gamers' Award was effectively selected by the public, in that it comprised the top-selling games on each platform according to the games charts published by Chart Track."
Stay tuned for more BAFTA news shortly…
Read More Like This
Comments
Bentley 8 Oct 2007 11:45
1/7
Is that t**t from the church still bleating about this?
Here are a couple of facts straight from my brain for the fool that is Reverend Rogers Morgan Govender:
1) When playing Resistance, I admired the scenery in the cathedral and was intrigued as to how accurate it might be and would consider visiting it some time as much of my family is from Manchester. Who knows, maybe when walking through those doors onto this holy ground, I could even have been struck by a light and found religion...
2) However, then some prick from the church opens his ill-informed, judgemental gob and spouts utter crap about how this digital representation in a fictional fantasy setting has desecrated his sacred place, and I remember what an outdated, old-fashioned and out-of-touch thing religion is; taking advantage of lost and impressionable fools like brainwashed sheep; and I am glad I stick to playing computer games with my friends rather than preying on the gullible and wasting time reading old books full of nonsense whilst singing inane tunes to a non-existent entity.
I'd much rather be playing than praying any day when these short-sighted idiots are running the church.
I hope the game wins. And also that if the cathedral is ever attacked by aliens that nobody comes to help. We could have used all that practise to save them, but if they'd rather we didn't then let them burn, I say.
Here are a couple of facts straight from my brain for the fool that is Reverend Rogers Morgan Govender:
1) When playing Resistance, I admired the scenery in the cathedral and was intrigued as to how accurate it might be and would consider visiting it some time as much of my family is from Manchester. Who knows, maybe when walking through those doors onto this holy ground, I could even have been struck by a light and found religion...
2) However, then some prick from the church opens his ill-informed, judgemental gob and spouts utter crap about how this digital representation in a fictional fantasy setting has desecrated his sacred place, and I remember what an outdated, old-fashioned and out-of-touch thing religion is; taking advantage of lost and impressionable fools like brainwashed sheep; and I am glad I stick to playing computer games with my friends rather than preying on the gullible and wasting time reading old books full of nonsense whilst singing inane tunes to a non-existent entity.
I'd much rather be playing than praying any day when these short-sighted idiots are running the church.
I hope the game wins. And also that if the cathedral is ever attacked by aliens that nobody comes to help. We could have used all that practise to save them, but if they'd rather we didn't then let them burn, I say.
Earl 8 Oct 2007 13:25
2/7
who at sony paid for this pos to be nominated?
more comments below our sponsor's message
tyrion 8 Oct 2007 13:37
3/7
Earl wrote:
who at sony paid for this pos to be nominated?
Nominated based on sales - it's the highest selling game on the PS3 at the moment.
Earl 8 Oct 2007 13:45
4/7
lol that is just to funny.
poor ps3 owners
poor ps3 owners
actionmonkey 8 Oct 2007 13:51
5/7
I heard from inside Sony that they did get permission from the church (like you'd very much expect them to do). After the game was released somebody (might have been newspapers) saw the game and kicked up a stink to make headlines.
Sony are now riding the publicity and have deliberately shut up so they can milk it. They could have told the media that they obtained permission prior to the gig but haven't.
Sony are now riding the publicity and have deliberately shut up so they can milk it. They could have told the media that they obtained permission prior to the gig but haven't.
TimSpong 8 Oct 2007 13:56
6/7
actionmonkey wrote:
I heard from inside Sony that they did get permission from the church (like you'd very much expect them to do). After the game was released somebody (might have been newspapers) saw the game and kicked up a stink to make headlines.
I would have expected permission to have been sought by Insomniac?
But any way... who was it at Sony?
Cheers
Tim@spong.com
TimSpong 8 Oct 2007 14:01
7/7
Bentley wrote:
Is that t**t from the church still bleating about this?
Lenny Bruce wrote:
"Every day people are straying away from the church and going back to God."