EA Sports recently committed a worrying faux-pas by playing the wrong national anthem for Northern Ireland in its FIFA 08 game. Instead of God Save the Queen, Electronic Arts accidentally used the Republic of Ireland anthem, the Soldier's Song.
A war, you say? If you're not aware of Ireland's history of violence and conflict (as EA apparently isn't), then you might find it hard to believe that those stereotypical images of cheeky Irish rogues with a pot of gold and a spring in their step are actually all out to murder each other with bombs and rifles. There has been death over far less than what Electronic Arts did.
Northern Ireland only very recently achieved peace, but it's safe to surmise that the situation will still be tender over there. Something like this could have ended very, very badly had EA's apology not been accepted.
"At EA Sports, we pride ourselves on delivering rich and authentic videogame experiences," stated EA's Shawn White, possibly with a gun pointing to his head. "We sincerely apologise for this error." Luckily the apology seems to have worked and nobody needs to die. For now.
Up next, EA publishes Mohammed: The Official Videogame.
[Cheers, superhobo]
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
6:02 AM on 07.04.2008
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You can't blame them, after spending a year updating the names of every sports team, there's very little time to get anything else done.
It's not as bad as people make out in NI. Never has been. There is a small minority where things like this might grate a little but in the main, it's just like all the rest of the UK.
I'm an atheist. I lolled. =)
And another 48% are very happy with this little mix-up.
4%+ don't give a damn.
Wow, EA does something right for a change. Doesn't really change my opinion of them but still, Thanks EA.
They remain unopened.
Just tell me when it's safe.
Also, fuck EA.
But yeah, should be a bit more careful over such a sensitive issue.
'm just sayin...
Fuck. I'm an idiot.
Thanks Jim.
I Lol'd...hard.
I knew a guy in that movie. The ginger haired kid that got executed.
The use of "Ireland's history of conflict" is also troubling. The republic hasn't seen any major violence since driving the IRA (the traditional enemy of the southern state, FYI) north of the border in the early 1920s after the war of independence. In fact, the south is ranked "sustainable" by the UN failed states index, one of only 15 in the world, whereas the UK is not.
Though normally I <3 <3 all of the Jim, there's quite a bit of ignorance and misinformation pervading this particular post. DOES NOT WANT.
According to wikipedia: "A plurality of the present-day population define themselves as Unionist, 22% as Nationalist and 35% define themselves as neither". Plurality means strong majority. 60% is an easy way of saying strong majority.
You ignorant fuck. And that's from someone FROM the republic.
Singular
plurality
2. (politics) (countable) A number of votes for a single candidate or position which is greater than the number of votes gained by any other single candidate or position voted for, but which is less than a majority of valid votes cast.
By definition, plurality is defined against the idea of a majority.
Not sure what point you're really trying to make, to be quite honest. Doesn't seem to have any bearing on my post.
Export? To where, England?
I find this incredibly amusing, because I've always wanted a united Ireland (Irish being my main background, other than Canadian). Well, by united I mean Death To Protestants, obviously.
somebody better have gotten fired over that.
"People seem to forget that before al quaeda showed up Ireland no.1 export was terrorists."
This has to be the dumbest thing i have ever read on this site. (Incl. the weekly troll invasion of the c-blogs) Both exaggerated and offensive. You sir, are fucking idiot.
Wiping out Protestants wouldn't make that much sense because one of the founding fathers of the Irish struggle for independence - Charles Stuart Parnell was Protestant. Irish Anglican to be specific. Some of Ireland greatest writers,politicians and generally good people are/were Anglican.
The whole concept of the united Ireland doesn't hold too much weight with people in the republic anymore. Many of my friends living in Northern Ireland and are Protestants and i've never felt uncomfortable bringing them anyway in the Republic, Pubs/Sporting events etc...
The religious split in the north is more based on discrimination and intentional religious segregation, that issue has little in common with the republican struggle as a whole.
Sorry for the double post, just spotted other comments thats all.
Again, fuck EA.
"People seem to forget that before al quaeda showed up Ireland no.1 export was terrorists"
demios:
"This has to be the dumbest thing i have ever read on this site. (Incl. the weekly troll invasion of the c-blogs) Both exaggerated and offensive. You sir, are fucking idiot.'
me:
i agree,did this fella not hear of a drink called guinness?
No mention of britain's history of virtual slavery and general imperialist douchebaggery?
Please explain to me what that actually has to do with the story. KTHNX.
Please explain to me how your irresponsible misrepresentation (indeed, misinformation?) and editorialing of a nuanced issue has anything to do with supposed news reporting. KTHNX