Overshadowed by Controversy: Difference between revisions

* The 2007 video game ''[[Resistance (series)|Resistance: Fall of Man]]'' got embroiled in a controversy involving Sony, Insomiac Games and the Church of England, the latter accusing Sony of desecration and copyright infringement over its use of the Manchester Cathedral in a level from the game where the protagonist has to fend off waves of Leapers in a shoot-out taking place inside the cathedral. The Very Reverend Rogers Govender and other church officials were dismayed beyond belief to see the cathedral being reduced to a shooting gallery, and called for Sony to make a statement of apology, complete withdrawal of the game or modify the level in question to avoid any visual similarities to the cathedral, and financial support to groups who are trying to reduce gun crime in the city, which was also a point of discussion in the ensuing controversy. Sony however maintained that Insomniac's portrayal wasn't firmly rooted in reality and has no 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." Sony did issue a formal apology over its use of the Cathedral and has since pledged not to use it in subsequent titles, though church officials felt it wasn't enough and drafted a set of guidelines to be followed by media companies on what (not) to do with fictional portrayals of places of worship. Though perhaps ironically enough, the whole desecration row both benefited Sony, Insomiac and the church itself, as ''Resistance'' was financially successful as a result of the controversy, and the Cathedral experienced a surge in tourism from both teenagers who wanted to know what the fuss was about and tourists in general who saw photos of the church.