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Manchester Cathedral Choir

Interior of Manchester Cathedral.

The 2006 first-person shooter video game Resistance: Fall of Man, developed by Insomniac Games, published by Sony Computer Entertainment and released for the PlayStation 3 video game console, features combat scenes that take place within a virtual representation of Manchester Cathedral in England set in an alternate history. It was released on 23 March 2007 in the United Kingdom. The use of images of the cathedral sparked considerable controversy with the leaders of the Church of England, which claimed its depiction to be desecration and copyright infringement, and that it was inappropriate of Sony to allow players to shoot guns in a city with a gun problem.[1] They have made several legal threats against Sony, including an apology, a substantial donation, complete withdrawal of the game or modifying the segment featuring the interior of the cathedral, and financial support of Manchester groups trying to reduce gun crime in the city.

In response to the allegations, Sony countered the game took place in an alternate, fictional universe, and that the building was never intended to depict the cathedral. Although the copyright concerns were found to be without merit, Sony offered a formal apology to the Church of England and leaders of the cathedral in July 2007, stating that they did not intend to cause offence.[2]

The controversy increased awareness of Resistance in the UK, which showed a rise in sales during the controversy. It was selected as a finalist amongst six other games at the 2007 BAFTA British Academy Video Game Awards for PC World Gamers Award, in which the Dean of Manchester Cathedral, the Very Reverend Rogers Govender, criticised its selection by BAFTA due to the controversy, requesting that either BAFTA or Sony withdraw it from the award.[3] Neither chose to withdraw it from the award, but it ultimately lost to Football Manager 07.

Due to the lack of a valid legal argument, the complaint was ultimately dropped, and the cathedral saw a "blessing in disguise" increase in visitor numbers due to the controversy.[4]

Background[]

On June 9, 2007, the Church of England threatened legal action against Sony for featuring Manchester Cathedral in the game without permission. Church leaders accused Sony of the desecration of Manchester Cathedral, referring to one scene which depicts a shoot-out in which dozens of Leapers are killed during a bloody gun battle inside the cathedral.[5] Officials described the use of the building as "sick" and sacrilegious and stated Sony did not ask for permission to use the cathedral. They have demanded an apology and the removal of the game from shop shelves - otherwise legal action will be considered.[1]

The cathedral's spokesman, David Marshall, told reporters that the cathedral had received many supportive e-mails for its stance and that they intended to make several demands of Sony. These include an apology and a substantial donation, complete withdrawal of the game or the modification of the segment featuring the interior of the cathedral, and financial support of Manchester groups trying to reduce gun crime in the city.[6]

British Prime Minister Tony Blair shared his views on the controversy during the Prime Minister's Questions, in response to Tony Lloyd's (Member of Parliament for Manchester Central) concerns to Sony's usage of Manchester Cathedral, in which he stated: "I agree with my honourable friend. I think it's important that any of the companies engaged in promoting these types of goods have some sense of responsibility and also some sensitivity to the feelings of others. I think this is an immensely difficult area, the relationship between what happens with these games and its impact on young people. I've no doubt this debate will go on for a significant period of time, but I do agree. I think it is important that people understand there is a wider social responsibility as well as an interior responsibility for profits."[7]

Sony's response[]

Sony issued a statement: "Sony Computer Entertainment Europe is aware of the concerns expressed by the Bishop of Manchester and the cathedral authorities... and we naturally take the concerns very seriously. Resistance: Fall of Man is a fantasy science fiction game and is not based on reality. We believe we have sought and received all permissions necessary for the creation of the game."[1] Sony also stated that it would be contacting the Cathedral on Monday, June 11 "to understand their concerns in more detail".[1] David Wilson, a Sony spokesman, told The Times "It is game-created footage, it is not video or photography. It is entertainment, like Doctor Who or any other science fiction. It is not based on reality at all. Throughout the whole process we have sought permission where necessary."[1]

Nanako Kato, a spokesperson from Sony Computer Entertainment, pointed out that historical buildings are often used in entertainment, such as in iconic movie scenes involving Godzilla and the Tokyo Tower and King Kong in Manhattan. She acknowledged the church in the game holds a resemblance to Manchester Cathedral, but that the point was to depict a backdrop of an old church, not to illustrate a specific church. She added that Sony understands why the Church of England was offended especially because of its efforts to reduce the serious problem of gun violence in Manchester.[8]

On 15 June 2007, Sony eventually issued an apology: "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 1950s Britain is under attack by aliens. It is not our intention to cause offense by using a representation of Manchester Cathedral in chapter eight of the work. If we have done so we sincerely apologize."[2][9]

Other critics[]

In analyzing the legal grounds for the complaint, Alex Chapman of Campbell Hooper solicitors cited a provision in the UK's Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 that stated that because the cathedral was "on public display", using its interior would not be copyright infringement.[10] U.K. intellectual property lawyer and blogger Andrew Mills of the Freeth Cartwright firm in Nottingham stated that the Church of England did not have a case on either copyright or passing off grounds.[11]

Georgia Tech professor and Persuasive Games CEO Ian Bogost defended the usage of the Cathedral in the game, believing the set piece to be significant to the story, and called Sony disappointing for apologizing.[12]

Effects on Sales and Reception[]

Despite the controversy Resistance: Fall of Man has been highly successful. Fall of Man was selected as a finalist along with six other games for BAFTA British Academy Video Game Award, which bases the nominations on sales and public reception. The Dean of Manchester Cathedral, the Very Rev. Rogers Govender, criticised this selection, stating that: "Bafta should not be seen condoning such behaviour unless they are saying it is acceptable for producers to walk into historic buildings and film interiors - ignoring contracts, rights and liability," asking for either BAFTA or Sony to withdraw the game from the award.[3][13] Neither withdrew it, but it ultimately lost to Football Manager 2007. Resistance developer, Ted Price, commented that there would be more "churches, mosques, and synagogues" in Resistance 2 before its release. While it was not known whether he was joking, he admitted to being Episcopalian, and considers the Church of England to be the mothership.[14]

Despite the Cathedral's reaction to its usage in Resistance: Fall of Man, the controversy has resulted in a significant increase in visitor numbers to it according to David Marshall, director of communications for the Diocese of Manchester in the Official PlayStation Magazine. Teachers tell him that teenagers in particular are interested to see a building which they thought was fictional. He adds that tourism has increased since the broadcast of pictures taken inside the Cathedral.[4]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e "Cathedral row over video war game". BBC Online. June 9, 2007
  2. ^ a b "Sony apologises over violent game". BBC Online. 15 June 2007.
  3. ^ a b Boyes, Emma. (October 8, 2007). "Church wants Resistance off BAFTA shortlist". GameSpot.
  4. ^ a b Richardson, Ben."Resistance fracas a blessing for Church". GamesRadar.
  5. ^ Gledhill, Ruth (6 July 2007). "Manchester Cathedral says Sony apology not enough and issues new digital rules". Times Online
  6. ^ Sugden, Joanna and agencies (11 July 2007), "Church threatens to sue Sony over 'sick' video game". The Times.
  7. ^ Gibson, Ellie. (June 13, 2007). "Prime Minister gives his views on Resistance controversy". Eurogamer.
  8. ^ "Sony, church discuss violent game". The Washington Times, 13 June 2007
  9. ^ "Sony Apologizes to Church of England". The Escapist Magazine.
  10. ^ Gibson, Ellie. (June 12, 2007) "Church will face "uphill battle" if suing Sony, says legal expert
  11. ^ Parloff, Roger. (June 13, 2007). "Manchester Cathedral accuses Sony of ‘virtual desecration’". Fortune.
  12. ^ Bogost, Ian (September 10, 2007). "Persuasive Games: The Reverence Of Resistance". Gamasutra.
  13. ^ Church criticises gun game award, BBC Online, 6 October 2007
  14. ^ Bramwell, Tom. (February 12, 2008). "'More churches' in Resistance 2!". Eurogamer.
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