Quantcast


LittleBigPlanet delayed worldwide due to Qu'ran reference (Update) photo

Looks like Europe is not the only one getting hit with a LittleBigPlanet delay. Sony has revealed the highly anticipated title will see a worldwide delay, due to references to the Qu'ran on the game's soundtrack. 

A statement from Sony, via Gamesindustry.biz:

"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," admitted the company in a statement.

"We have taken immediate action to rectify this and we sincerely apologize for any offence that this may have caused."

Further details on the music in question can be found in this locked thread on Sony's official European message boards.

While retailers are estimating a November 14 (three weeks after the game's original October 24 release), that may not be the case. Sony is expect to announce a new release date for LittleBigPlanet next week.

[Update: Sony's Patrick Seybold has stated on PlayStation.Blog that LBP will be shipping to North America "the week of October 27." What that means for you guys getting your hands on the game is unknown, but we'd check with your local retailers closer the ship date.]








More gaming stories around the web. Got news? Submit yours to tips@destructoid.com



Post a comment! You can also post a photo below:

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

177 comments | showing # 1 to 50
prev
next 50 comments

dip's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 11:32
dip
http://darkzero.co.uk/game-news/littlebigplanet-not-delayed-zavvi-and-adsa-wrong/

Well now I'm just confused.
Ragewaar's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 11:34
Ragewaar
Hmm when GAME changed my preorder i rang them immediatley and they told me i'd still get my copy on the 24th and not to worry...
garison's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 11:34
garison
Fail, Sony... just fail.
timtheterrible's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 11:34
timtheterrible
Well, Fable 2 it is, then.
BlindsideDork's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 11:35
BlindsideDork
Hmmm, believe a non-name site like Dark Zero, or believe SONY. I am going with Sony.
Jonathan Holmes's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 11:36
Jonathan Holmes
Weirdest videogame news evar?
Hitogoroshi's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 11:38
Hitogoroshi
ARE....YOU....FUCKING.....KIDDING......ME. Because of a Qu'Ran Reference? Really? Really Sony?

If it isn't out by the Baltimore NARP, November 14-16, I'm going to hurt someone.
Brad Nicholson's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 11:38
Brad Nicholson
@dip - that post is from yesterday before anyone let this information be known.
Chad Concelmo's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 11:38
Chad Concelmo
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! :(
Hoygeit's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 11:38
Hoygeit
Well then... =/

Upsetting news to hear.
Half left's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 11:39
Half left
So what if it has religious writing in it. Does that actually matter? How can it offend anyone?
Aertyr's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 11:39
Aertyr
*Listens to the chorus of a thousand screaming fanboys*
RedWon's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 11:40
RedWon
Weird, I work a blockbuster and we've had the game for 2 days now. its dated for the 21st, we have both rental and retail versions.
Usedtabe's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 11:41
Usedtabe
Hmm. Any form of media can be blasphemous towards Christianity without a hitch, but Islam gets the world to bend over for it? Islamofascism much?
Jesus H Christ's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 11:41
Jesus H Christ
Terrorists win.

What I want to know is who made the call and why. Was there pressure or threats from an Islamic group or are Sony just being PC retards?
xollner's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 11:43
xollner
Wait what's wrong with Qur'an references?
Geoff Henao's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 11:43
Geoff Henao
@Half left:

I think it's because there's something in Islam where the Quran can't be mentioned in some forms of media or something.
comtruise's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 11:44
comtruise
Not to be religiously intolerant, but fuck them Muslims. I'd say release the damn game already, and if they all get pissy with it, the ensuing controversy could only help to sell the game.
BlindsideDork's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 11:44
BlindsideDork
@RedWon

The game is at stores...it is actually supposed to be RECALLED so those precious copies might be gone soon.
xe-cute's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 11:46
xe-cute
I already posted this in Jims news article, but if we are repeating news items (instead of updating them) we may aswell repeat comments, yeah?

---------

I am from the UK and I have the game (Since Tuesday) and have been playing it.

Does not affect me :p

TBH, I have already completed story mode and am just going back collecting all the single player items I have missed.


Then I shall be back to some heavy creating to upload when the servers go live.


P.S. F*ck the Qur'an. Actualy, to keep things none biased..... Also F*ck the bible too and all other religous brainwashing, fear mongering, Blackmailing, murdering, out dated, fantasy for the mentaly disturbed religions (THAT MEANS all RELIGION). Without religion there would be less war and violence, it is a man made tool of destruction. Anyone religous is simply a stupid c*nt.



Just so you do not think I'm a mad man.......


Sony just issued a statement on the matter:

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. We have taken immediate action to rectify this and we sincerely apologise for any offence that this may have caused.

We’ll confirm the new launch date shortly.
fetusmilk's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 11:48
fetusmilk
good now i can definitely get midnight club next week.but how did they not catch this earlier? not only that but what about some of the lucky people who got it early? will there copy no longer work? or will it even be worth money?

has something like this ever happen before? where a game change has to be made after the games have been shipped?
TheDreadHawk's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 11:49
TheDreadHawk
Terrorists win indeed...
CBunn's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 11:49
CBunn
What Chad said :(
exodus1925's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 11:49
exodus1925
The following comment is NSFW.

FOR FUCK'S SAKE!

That is all.
xe-cute's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 11:51
xe-cute
Oh BTW, Any publicity is good publicity... Sony couldn't even pay for the mainstream TV, news, media and press coverage that this is going to get them.

The way they handled the BETA was frustrating for all those involved apart from the Sony publicity machine who done it on purpose to milk the gaming press websites.


Now they have managed to hit the mainstream publicity machine for free too.
dip's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 11:51
dip
Hey xe-cute, your ignorance is showing.
xe-cute's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 11:53
xe-cute
I only see yours, weird!
xe-cute's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 11:57
xe-cute
Oh BTW, I'm off to read the Quran whilst sitting on the toilet listening to ABBA on my Ipod (is it only a sin if people know I do this?).


Yeah, Now I am being ignorant... what ya gonna do about it?
pedrovay2003's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 11:58
pedrovay2003
@TheDreadHawk

That was sarcasm, right? Not all people who believe in the Qur'an are terrorists.
TheDreadHawk's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 12:01
TheDreadHawk
@Pedrovay2003

Of course, my friend. I was referring to Jesus H Christ's comment.
Geoff Henao's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 12:01
Geoff Henao
It's this stupid ignorance that gives gamers a bad name. You assholes trying to make a joke out of this are the reason why gaming is perceived in such a negative light.
imaginarythomas's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 12:01
imaginarythomas
Since when were religious texts offensive?

Just because something is different doesn't mean it's bad. Come on people this is kindergarten grade stuff here!
worm jerky's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 12:02
worm jerky
I want to say something really really bad about Islam and religion in general, but I will restrain myself to merely sulking.

:(
Rockvillian's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 12:03
Rockvillian
what? seriously? are they afraid we'll become Muslims/learn something/get angry/kill something? lame.

But I'm seeing LBP in a new light now. Censorship light. It's like those cracked out fluorescent bulbs that devoid rooms of all form and shadow. Not cool.
PhazonYoshi's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 12:03
PhazonYoshi
This is why I hate religion.
(Not because it's delaying a game, but because people have to go out of their way, and lose money, just to avoid insulting people for no fucking reason.)
CBunn's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 12:04
CBunn
@fetusmilk
Yes. Remember that case about Super paper Mario where it was recalled because it contained the word "spastic" or something like that. The game was recalled.

Really, are we so sensitive that we can't handle that stuff? Religion is not even real stuff anyway. Don't worry believers, I will burn in <insert your version of hell> if I'm wrong.

From now on, I will complain about any music/text/media that mentions the holy Optimus Prime.

suckers.
BigKev's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 12:04
BigKev
Ugh (to some of the comments)
Projectexodus's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 12:07
Projectexodus
*sigh*... Yet again, we have to suffer because of "religious tolerance".

Anyway, it means that I can enjoy Fable 2 more properly. And the week after that, there's Fallout 3. And the week after that, its Gears of War 2. And the week after that, its finally LittleBigPlanet!
Usedtabe's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 12:07
Usedtabe
@Video Cognito: No, it's your stupid willingness to give into a radical request from a religion to be "politically correct" that puts you, and only you, in a negative light. Most people seem to have the right reaction, which is "WTF Sony?". So, Sony, why cave in now and not when the Catholics had a problem with REsistance?
CBunn's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 12:08
CBunn
Há! BigKev,you have deeply offended me, and I DEMAND that you change your avatar!
Alexradl's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 12:08
Alexradl
Couldn't they have just released a patch the day the game came out that removed the song, instead of going through the whole ordeal of recalling all of the copies already sent out. I was really looking foward to Tuesday. I've already got my copy paid off.

FUCK THIS SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Zeal404's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 12:08
Zeal404
hahahahaha
KGBrAm's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 12:10
KGBrAm
Oddly enough the song in question has been available for around 2 years on iTunes. Written and performed by a Muslim artist from Mali I believe.

They just found out about it now? >_<
Steel Squirrel's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 12:11
Steel Squirrel
Haha... wut? Little Bigot Planet, amirite?
Tubatic's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 12:11
Tubatic
Well guys, according to guy from the Sony Forum link, its offensive to some (maybe all?) Muslims to mix the text from the Qu'Ran with music or other media.

Also, the text is also pretty harsh. Something to the effect of "the earth will perish". Firey sort of stuff, taken out of context anyway.

True enough, the original artist for the song is the key offender of the root problem some Muslims may have with the song.

However, it seems that Sony/Media Molecule are looking into making the change to avoid unintentional controversy. Similar to the Zack and Wiki sound bite problem.

Sucks from a "just give me the damn game" standpoint. But, considering the creation and presentation of game products as an intentional and deliberate medium of expression, its pretty responsible, I think, for Sony to respond to this and reshape the game to their intent.

On the other hand, this seems like something that someone should have been on top of, and caught/considered in the first place.

Not that everything should be politically correct, but I think its important to be intentional as a creator, and to express what you mean, when you mean it.
Genki-JAM's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 12:12
Genki-JAM
Translation of the lyrics from the song in question:

1- In the 18th second: "كل نفس ذائقة الموت" ("kollo nafsin tha'iqatol mawt", literally: 'Every soul shall have the taste of death').

2- Almost immediately after, in the 27th second: "كل من عليها فان" ("kollo man alaiha fan", literally: 'All that is on earth will perish').

So yeah, pretty offensive stuff if you know the language. BUT WHY THE FUCK DON'T THEY JUST PATCH THE MOTHERFUCKING GAME ON RELEASE DAY!? EVERYONE GETTING THE GAME HAS INTERNET, SO PATCH THAT SHIT OUT! AND WHO THE FUCK LET THIS SLIP BY ANYWAY!? FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK
free touch's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 12:14
free touch
Well, the way I figure, the 5 ps3 owners will be pissed. No big deal.
Geoff Henao's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 12:15
Geoff Henao
@Usedtabe:

You make a good point with the Resistance/Catholic church thing. I completely forgot about that. You're right.

I think the problem is the different nature of the two games, with Resistance all about shooting and killing and shit, a "mature" theme, which I guess also includes offending religion haha, while Little Big Planet isn't like that with its attempted appeal for the masses. I think it goes along with the ratings, too. An E game can't have offensive themes or imagery, while I guess an M game can get away with more.
ServantSaber's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 12:15
ServantSaber
@KGBrAm
You serious? It's a real song in iTunes? Ok wow, it's okay for the phrases to be in a song by a Muslim artist but then it immediately becomes wrong to put it in a nonoffensive game... I totally see the logic there.

Man, I was looking forward to picking up my copy next week too :(
Riegel88's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/17/2008 12:16
Riegel88
Bioshock, and Star Ocean: Firs Departure it is!
prev next 50 comments

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

Comments policy

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?

Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!