Earlier this year, the members of Manchester Cathedral protested the use of likenesses of their church in Sony’s video game, Resistance: Fall of Man, a first person shooter.
The church leaders were outraged and demanded an apology and monentary damages for this infringement. But now, the Dean of Manchester has taken a softer approach by forgiving Sony…sort of.
Reverend Rogers Goverder seemed to have giveth with one hand and taketh with the other as he said, "I think some important lessons have been learnt. So we forgive Sony for what they have done, even though they still believe they have done no wrong."
He continued by saying, "In an industry that is breaking new frontiers, it is important that long held traditions of film and television are maintained. These traditions include having courtesy, respecting the dignity of your subject, and admitting when mistakes have been made."
While the concerns of the leaders of Manchester Cathedral seem petty to some, their anxieties about their church being featured in an FPS may have legitimate grounds–the town of Manchester has a high rate of crime and gun violence.
Govender concluded by saying, "In so many ways Sony have failed to live up to these standards [of courtesy and dignity] by disrespecting people of faith and the victims of gun crime in Manchester."
Ironically, the controversy of the church appearing in Sony’s game has increased attendance at Manchester Cathedral.
[via gameindustry]
