The ongoing teacup storm surrounding the Church of England’s criticism of the use of a virtual Manchester Cathedral in Resistance: Fall of Man continues, as the Church posts Sony's letter of apology on its website followed by its own response welcoming a visit from Sony to discuss their ‘outstanding demands’, particularly to find out where the original images of the church represented in the game came from.
Directly from The Church of England's website, here is Sony’s apology in full, followed by the Church’s response:
The Church’s response:
Directly from The Church of England's website, here is Sony’s apology in full, followed by the Church’s response:
Dear Dean Govender,
Thank you for your email of 11 June 2007.
Please understand that Resistance: Fall of Man is a work of science fiction.
It is fantasy entertainment set against a backdrop of an alternative reality of 1950's Britain. History has been rewritten and the Second World War has not happened but a race of alien creatures has attacked the earth and the human race is engaged in a struggle to defend itself from this alien invader.
Early in the time line of the story, Manchester Cathedral is utilised as a field hospital to tend to the human casualties of the war. When the story line reaches chapter 8, the Cathedral is empty and abandoned, no longer used as a place of worship and the sequences that take place inside are to defend the building from the aliens.
We do not accept that there is any connection between contemporary issues of 21st century Manchester and a work of science fiction in which a fictitious 1950's Britain is under attack by aliens. We believe a comprehensive viewing of the work will make its content and context clear.
Accordingly we would be pleased to demonstrate it to you at a mutually convenient time.
It was not our intention to cause offence by using a representation of Manchester Cathedral in chapter 8 of the work. If we have done so we sincerely apologise.
In conclusion we note that you are consulting lawyers. We confirm that it is our policy to seek all necessary permissions for our products and services, and we believe with this particular work we have done so.
Yours sincerely,
Dr David A Reeves
President
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
Thank you for your email of 11 June 2007.
Please understand that Resistance: Fall of Man is a work of science fiction.
It is fantasy entertainment set against a backdrop of an alternative reality of 1950's Britain. History has been rewritten and the Second World War has not happened but a race of alien creatures has attacked the earth and the human race is engaged in a struggle to defend itself from this alien invader.
Early in the time line of the story, Manchester Cathedral is utilised as a field hospital to tend to the human casualties of the war. When the story line reaches chapter 8, the Cathedral is empty and abandoned, no longer used as a place of worship and the sequences that take place inside are to defend the building from the aliens.
We do not accept that there is any connection between contemporary issues of 21st century Manchester and a work of science fiction in which a fictitious 1950's Britain is under attack by aliens. We believe a comprehensive viewing of the work will make its content and context clear.
Accordingly we would be pleased to demonstrate it to you at a mutually convenient time.
It was not our intention to cause offence by using a representation of Manchester Cathedral in chapter 8 of the work. If we have done so we sincerely apologise.
In conclusion we note that you are consulting lawyers. We confirm that it is our policy to seek all necessary permissions for our products and services, and we believe with this particular work we have done so.
Yours sincerely,
Dr David A Reeves
President
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
The Church’s response:
At 4.30pm, Manchester Cathedral received a letter from Sony Computer Entertainment, which can be found below. In response to the letter, the Dean and Chapter have made the following remarks:
"We acknowledge the admission by Sony that the building in the game is Manchester Cathedral. We thank Sony for the apology they have made.
However, we do not move from the position that we are against violence and especially the gun violence seen in this portrayal of the Cathedral.
We are pleased that Sony wish to come and meet with us in Manchester as today we offered them such an invitation.
In the meeting with Sony we will discuss our outstanding demands, how this game came to be produced and where the images of the Cathedral came from."
"We acknowledge the admission by Sony that the building in the game is Manchester Cathedral. We thank Sony for the apology they have made.
However, we do not move from the position that we are against violence and especially the gun violence seen in this portrayal of the Cathedral.
We are pleased that Sony wish to come and meet with us in Manchester as today we offered them such an invitation.
In the meeting with Sony we will discuss our outstanding demands, how this game came to be produced and where the images of the Cathedral came from."
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Comments
Joji 18 Jun 2007 10:59
1/9
However, we do not move from the position that we are against violence and especially the gun violence seen in this portrayal of the Cathedral.
That's all very well Mr Church, but Sony are in an entertainment business. In such a business you can't have such high morals and expect to sell games, against extremely high competition from others. I still don't understand why they can't grasp that. Its the way of the world, sex and violence will always sell. Agree to disagree.
I don't think Sony should visit them, it should be the other way around, the church reps/bishop whatever should go and visit Sony, This way they'll hopefully get a better grasp of an education, of what goes into games and why Sony etc make what they make.
Dazzel 18 Jun 2007 11:16
2/9
Seeing as more people have died in the name of religion than by any other means I think this all sounds rather hypocritical!! at least sony's killing is virtual
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actionmonkey 18 Jun 2007 11:37
3/9
I like the way they said "especially gun violence".
Ignore the man hanging at the back please gentlemen.
Ignore the man hanging at the back please gentlemen.
Joji 18 Jun 2007 11:55
4/9
Did someone at the back shout Spanish Inquisition are coming? Quick, hide that copy of Resistance. I'm now picturing that old Monty Python's sketch from way back when.
Hey, it's okay to kill folk they reckon, so long as it's hundreds of years ago. They like to wave their guilt from their brow, and attack others in their self righteous stance. No wonder their churches are empty.
I hope Sony ask them about Jesus's brothers and sisters, and watch them dodge that one, with a no comment stance. Lol.
Hey, it's okay to kill folk they reckon, so long as it's hundreds of years ago. They like to wave their guilt from their brow, and attack others in their self righteous stance. No wonder their churches are empty.
I hope Sony ask them about Jesus's brothers and sisters, and watch them dodge that one, with a no comment stance. Lol.
headcasephil 18 Jun 2007 12:33
5/9
whats going to next the church gothow millions of films to find the ones were a gun is used in a church SO MANY FILMS SO MANY GUNS i bet there's many christians that wash b&w second wold war films and don't bat a eye lid
Joji 18 Jun 2007 12:52
6/9
That's a good point. Many churches were desicrated a plenty in WWII films, while being used as hiding places for resistance members etc. And what about the chapel at the start of Kill Bill Vol 1? The church have short memories indeed. Sony should add that example in their defence, that to attack them, the church would have to go after other of a creative minds, such as Tarantino.
Zoot Alors 18 Jun 2007 13:57
7/9
Joji wrote:
That's a good point. Many churches were desicrated a plenty in WWII films, while being used as hiding places for resistance members etc. And what about the chapel at the start of Kill Bill Vol 1? The church have short memories indeed. Sony should add that example in their defence, that to attack them, the church would have to go after other of a creative minds, such as Tarantino.
Was the chapel used at the start of the Tarantino (so-called) movie under the bailiwick of the Manchester Cathedral authorities?
I don't know for sure but I doubt it because (a) it wasn't in the diocese of Manchester and (b) It was FICTIONAL!
So, maybe Sony shouldn't offer such haf-arsed, barrack-room lawyer-like gobbets of half-understood bullshit in its 'defence'.
As for churches being desecrated in WWII movies (the Eagle Has Landed, for example - or maybe Dad's Army?) - if I understand correctly, your defence in law (let's use murder as an example) would be the tried and tested, "Well, Julias Ceasar was allowed to murder people and he got away with it! Sue him first before you come after me!!" Otherwise known as the "Utterley s**te bleating defence".
Oh, Warmington-On-Sea from Dad's Army was FICTIONAL.
Joji 18 Jun 2007 15:06
8/9
When I mention Kill Bill, I mention it in the context of it being a creative piece of entertainment as well as the imaginary violence in church angle. Resistance is just the same. Sony clearly say in their stament about the church in the game and its use, but the church still didn't say anything about that in their return statement, now why is that?
Because they are clearly have no case. It's a game, a work of fiction. If Sony got permission CoE have no case. Simple as that. Once Sony demonstrate the game level to them, they'll see what its about.
People who play the game can tell the difference between an imagined world for play and the gritty reality. CoE are clutching at these straws, trying to link them and they have little or no evidence to back it all up. I think the CoE are also still stuck in this 'games are for kids only' stigma past of gaming.
Because they are clearly have no case. It's a game, a work of fiction. If Sony got permission CoE have no case. Simple as that. Once Sony demonstrate the game level to them, they'll see what its about.
People who play the game can tell the difference between an imagined world for play and the gritty reality. CoE are clutching at these straws, trying to link them and they have little or no evidence to back it all up. I think the CoE are also still stuck in this 'games are for kids only' stigma past of gaming.
Robert 19 Jun 2007 20:36
9/9
What is the Churchs response the the fact that all Wars that kills millions of people are fought over religion?