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

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11:34 AM on 10.17.2008, Nick Chester

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

#LittleBigPlanet #PS3 #Sony #top stories

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.]

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178 comments | showing # 51 to 100

xe-cute

@ Alexradl - They would not get all this free publicity then (I mean even destructoid has reported twice on it within a matter of hours).

@ Tubatic - I have the full game and have completed story mode, the words in the song is relevant to that level as the earth is on fire, the buffalo are trying to escape death. They must of known what the words meant, I am unsure if they knew it came from the quran though. Obviously they did not know mixing quran text with music though was an offence to them (for god knows what reason, they seem to sing crap from there temples three times a day which pisses everyone off none religous around them).

Riegel88

First*
And.. this sucks, I've been looking forward to trying it out, because I had no luck with the beta.

Video Cognito

@Tubatic:

Yeah, I knew it had to be involved with the Quran's text and it's use in forms of media. I was wondering if I had made it up or not, hahaha.

king3vbo

Holyetheline

If I had a PS3 I'd be crushed right now... But I don't.

shipero

@Alexradl

That's what Media Molecule wanted to do but SCEE said they had to do a full recall because not everyone has their PS3s connected to the internet.

CBunn

If they have to be fucking sissies, patching is the way.
And let's just stop using Arabic (or whatever the language that is) music. Let's not forget the Zack & wicky brouhaha. Just let them isolate themselves as they want so much.

Also, can anyone that understand the language confirm that? How do we now that is just not some asshole's prank?

ghets

Theres this old Propagandhi song off their first album that would be a fitting replacement for the song with the Qur'an references.

BlindsideDork

So much rage..so much hate.

Tubatic

Lets say that there's a guy that pisses in lawns.

For most people, they don't mind it. There's even hundreds of people that enjoy watching the guy piss in lawns.

Then they guy comes to piss in your lawn. And you don't like it. You ask him to stop.

The hundreds of people then yell at you for wanting him to stop. They also yell at the guy that usually pissed in lawns for not pissing in yours because you asked him to to.

Everyone loves watching pissing in lawns. Why are you ruining everyone's good time?

And that's my conceit/analogy for getting mad at people for being offended based on cultural values.

Cheers.

timtheterrible

@Video Cognito

It may also be that people, in general, are tired of certain special interest groups getting special treatment. The Castlevania series contains various references to the Bible, as do many other games, but if I, as a Christian gamer, were to(magically) get a Castlevania game pulled before its release via a single online post in Konami's message boards simply because I find the use of the crucifix as a weapon "offensive," everyone looking forward to that game would say in unison, "Fuck you! You may have the right to be offended, but you have no right to alter things that I, who am not offended, choose to entertain MYSELF with! If you don't like it, don't play it!" However, because it is a Muslim group that takes offense this time, a gaming company should cower in fear and give them what they want? Fuck that logic.

Aurvantoid

@Tubatic - I'm sorry but i don't see how any of this could be placed at Sony and MM's feet. These licensed tracks weren't made by Sony or MM and, I have to say, I don't see how they could have seen this issue coming.

As for a Patch? MM said that they already had one planned to go out THE DAY that the game was to be released, but there is one small problem with that.

Not everyone has an on-line ready PS3. So, to avoid further problems from people who would find it offensive but would be unable to update their game to receive the corrective patch, Sony has decided to recall the discs in stores and just manufacture new discs with the corrected media already encoded.

Look at it this way: Now the rest of you can go pick up Dead Space if you haven't yet, You can buy Bioshock for the PS3 and perhaps, for you JRPG fans out there, can finally pick up ETERNAL SONATA for the PS3 as well.

However, I still stand by my earlier comment in the other post on how ridiculous and absurd this non-issue has become. I said it once, and I'll say it again: "Keep your politically correct bullshit out of my games".

SephirothX

Im seriously considering canceling my preorder because of this. Why do the masses have to wait because of one Islam reference, yet tons of other games with other (and larger) religious items within them dont get delayed? Look at the uproar the church in Resistance: FOM made, was the game taken off the shelves and removed? No. Does any game that uses the line "Play God" get delayed and reworked to remove it? No.

There's a wierd double standard going on here. And I dont like it.

Slique

I just died a little inside.

Clance

Hahaha, to all the yanks who laughed at us in Europe when the news first broke...

Hahahahahahaaaaaaaaaa hahahaaaa!

As I said before, I'm happy about it as I am skint at the moment so I'm glad everybody else has to wait too....

@Usedtabe,

*yawns* Man, it's their beliefs to not have the words taken out of context.... the Bible doesn't have the same rules.

Also, Bible bashing (usually Americans) Christians go nuts too... Ever heard of The Beatles?

SephirothX

@ Clance
Yes bible bashers go nuts over a ton of stuff to, but how many times have games been delayed to meet their needs?

Clance

I do feel sorry for Media Molecule, though. This is gonna cost them a shitload... OK, they're gonna make so much money.

This is one game that will be remembered for the gameplay rather than this uproar though, and that just tells you what an amazing achievement it is...

Aurvantoid

@SephirothX - Good point. All though, now that I remember it, another game was affected by the Islam offense police. Can you remember which game?

Zack and Wiki.

There was an instance in the game where the words "Allahu Akbar" was being used over and over again when your characters were trying to finish some puzzle involving a totem or something.

CAIR and numerous other Islamic people claimed this was offensive and, although I cant remember if it delayed the game, it forced Capcom to change the code of the game and remove the chant.

So, yeah, the offensive media police strike again I suppose.

Usedtabe

@Clance: Yes the Bible does have the same rules. Shows how much you know. And yes, I have heard of the Beatles. 50 fucking years ago. Try bringing up a relevant protest in recent years that was actually honored for Christians or any other religion. Exactly. So, *yawn* all you want, but giving in to these radicals only makes the situation worse. The world bends backwards to not offend those who practice Islam, but all other religions are ignored. Want to take a guess why? You won't like the answer.

Tubatic

@xe-cute

Now that's pretty interesting! I guess the literal connection of the words to the Qu'Ran is the exact problem. So someone might have known the content, to have it match so close.

Also, the singing out of the temple three times a day are the call to prayer, including the words "Allah u akbar" (praise to Allah or Allah above others, something like that). I'm guessing its not text direct from Qu'Ran, but specifically designated aural tradition for the call. Alot of it beyond that text is just vocal riffing "freestyle".

If I remember my World Music course correctly.

Tubatic

Video Cognito

@timtheterrible:

As stated elsewhere, the Muslim and Christian religions have different beliefs when it comes to their word and how their religion is portrayed. You, and everybody else, are right that it's getting tiresome to have to bend over to various groups for censorship. However, I don't think it's fair for everybody to bash on the religion. It seems as if people are quick to do it because of the negative stigma associated with Islam and it's followers.

I honestly don't think this would be happening if LBP wasn't an E-rated game.

timtheterrible

@Usedtabe

I'd like to know why.

Crumpilstilskin

Well I think I'm gonna make some LBP levels anyway...with paper.....freshly cut paper from the Quran....and make lots of stickers of Mohammad and paste them all over the place...while eating tons of pork...

silly muslims.....the whole world knows your just silly...

oh yeah....and fuck Mohammad

brnin8r

Did they really think the muslim community was going to let this fly,now we have to wait for LPB it even longer thanks MM.

MechaMonkey

What? What? No.

Video Cognito

Err... "this" in reference to the game having to be delayed/censored.

CelicaCrazed

You have to be tolerant and respect the beliefs of others. They should have seen this coming after the whole Zack & Wiki drama. Hopefully this is resolved quickly. How hard is it to block out one song??

SephirothX

Whats fishy about this is the question of why did this issue wait until the game was gold?

Satsumomo

So the restrictive nonsense of the Muslims has to affect the whole world eh? I seriously hate all this religious fanatism.

Tubatic

@Aurvantoid

True enough, some dude in Mali wrote/recorded/sold the track. If anything, he's probably taking mad heat from his people. But that was possibly his intent, along with making cool music, to piss off "the man".

Sony/MM though, made the decision to use the music, and probably have a paid position to choose/broker the licensing of music for their app. While its a business type position, there's a level of artistic, or at the very least, compositional intent in those musical choices.

If you're going to license a piece of music for your big project, its probably a good idea to know its content and context, imo.

SephirothX

What ever happened to 'Dont like the content = Dont buy the game'?

Clance

@SephirothX,

Never, but I guess Muslims just have stronger beliefs and stricter guidelines within their community. Christian's usually have no concrete evidence that things go against their beliefs.

Also, people would no doubt utilise the customisation options to create some kind of sick anti-Islamic level with this music and some other offensive content, were Sony to leave the music in. This would just make matters worse, so, in order to maintain the game's squeeky clean image, it needed to be pulled.

Lightthrower

Well i got my copy already (thanks Gamebuzz) so i don't really care, muhahahahahaha! The song comes from the "Africa" levels, don't remember the exact name. Think my version of the game will be worth tons now? :-P

brnin8r

the media molecule website won't load,too much hatemail?

CBunn

Can't we just move them to the moon, where they won't be offended and be done with it? I/m angry at the offended people, for having such thin skin, I'm angry at Sony, for catering to them like a spoiled brat. And I'm STILL ANGRY at BigKev for desecrating My Optimus Prime. He died in the animated movie! for.. someone's sins or some crap.

Video Cognito

Yeah, I'm wondering what Sony's gonna do for those who got early copies.

pedrovay2003

@TheDreadHawk

Heh, just making sure. I actually didn't even see that comment up there. I'm just pissed this is getting delayed. :(

xe-cute

If Sony does do a full recall which is being talked about instead of simply patching the game on release (hence the reason for such a long delay instead of a quick fix).... How will shops that broke the release date return all there copies?

If they can not return all there copies than this will be proof they broke the release date and they could face heavy penalties for doing so.

P.S. WHY IF YOU LIVE WITHIN 5 MILES OF A MOSC DO WE HEAR THEM SINGING THERE PROPOGANDA 3 TIMES A DAY CALLING TO PRAY... THAT OFFENDS ME, BUT NO THEY DO NOT GET STOPPED AND OUR EARS (IF YOU ARE UNLUCKY ENOUGH) HAVE TO PUT UP WITH THAT CRAP EVERY DAY.... THIS IS REAL LIFE WITH NO MUTE BUTTON, YOUR TV AND EVEN THE GAME HAS THE OPTION TO SWITCH OFF LEVEL MUSIC... WE HAVE NO OPTION TO SWITCH OFF THE LOCAL MOSC 3 TIMES A DAY (STUPID GOVERNMENT).

Anyway, just a random thought.

Tubatic

@usedtabe

It seems like you're assuming all Muslims are radical fanatics. You appear to be coming off as ignorant/intolerant because of it.

Just thought you might want to know.

Clance

@Usedtabe,

"radicals" - you watching too much FOX News?

The Bible's words are used everywhere mate. Metallica use them. "Austin 3:16". The Passion Of The Christ?? Trust me, the Qu'ran is a BIG deal to good honest Muslims and not just "radicals"... Can't believe you wrote that still... and when their words are taken out of context it is not on. Don't tell me that Christianity has these same rules.

Shirley Temple

asdf;lkajsd;fkjas;dlkfja;lsdkfj;laksdjf;asdjf;oakjsdfpoaspdofkja;lksdfj;ladsjf;lakdsjfaf

WTF?! I respect other religions but why not go after the guy that wrote the song to begin with! I thought the controversy was because of what it said, but because it's sung?! Music is a wonderful form of praise! Not to mention, those seemed like pretty normal phrases so who's to say it's even referencing the qu'ran? I'd MUCH rather have a day 1 patch even if it took hours to download than have it delayed like this.

DAY 1 PATCH!!!!!!!!!!!!

timtheterrible

@ Clance

It may also be that people, in general, are tired of certain special interest groups getting special treatment. The Castlevania series contains various references to the Bible, as do many other games, but if I, as a Christian gamer, were to(magically) get a Castlevania game pulled before its release via a single online post in Konami's message boards simply because I find the use of the crucifix as a weapon "offensive," everyone looking forward to that game would say in unison, "Fuck you! You have no right to alter things that I, who am not offended, choose to entertain MYSELF with! If you don't like it, don't play it!" However, because it is a Muslim group that takes offense this time, a gaming company should cower in fear and give them what they want? Fuck that logic.

Aurvantoid

@Clance - Nice double standard there. Your anti-christian slant is showing.

Clance

@ Shirley Temple,

as somebody pointed out: Not everybody has their PS3 hooked up to the net. So a patch is not gonna cut it....

Also, two lines referencing the same words as in the Qu'ran within 10 seconds is more than a coincidence if you ask me. Sorry.

TKurata

I got my copy while grocery shopping at a Meijer yesterday! Yay! It is so good...

Tubatic

@xe-cute

my bad. for what its worth, its literally "God is great" or "God is [the] greatest,"

Allah = God = highest mystical/religious power. Same thing different names.

Again, forwhatever that's worth. :)

Clance

@Aurvantoid,

Where? I'd love to see that...

@timtheterrible,

I understand that people disagree with the game being delayed. I just have a differing opinion from you but I respect where you are coming from.

Usedtabe

@aruvantoid: He's in Europe. They're used to bending over for Islam in the name of "tolerance". Do you still have your country's flag taken down at the airport to not offend muslims?

@Clance: What's wrong with my use of "radical". There are "radicals" in every religion, especially Islam. I did not say all followers were radicals. Where's Mushman, I want his take on this fiasco.

covah

FUUUUUUUCK

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