The Church of England is threatening legal action against Sony after it used Manchester Cathedral as the backdrop to a violent computer game. (Advertisement)
Religious leaders accused the firm of "desecrating" the cathedral in Resistance: Fall of Man - a Playstation 3 game in which hundreds are killed during a virtual shoot-out inside the building.
The Church says Sony did not ask for permission to use the cathedral and has demanded an apology and the removal of the game from shop shelves - otherwise legal action will be considered.
Sony has not returned calls to officials from the Church.
The firm has also been branded irresponsible for choosing Manchester - a city plagued by gun violence which has left tens of youngsters dead.
The Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch, said: "It is well known that Manchester has a gun crime problem. For a global manufacturer to re-create one of our great Cathedrals with photo-realistic quality and then encourage people to have guns battles in the building is beyond belief and highly irresponsible."
He added: "Here in Manchester we do all we can to support communities through our parish clergy, we know the reality of gun crime and the devastating effects it can have on the lives - it is not a trivial matter."
It is understood photographers may have visited the Cathedral to take pictures for use in the game.
During the game players are asked to assume the role of an army sergeant and win a battle.
Screenshots of the game in play show the interior of the Cathedral with the player's gun ready to fight; soldiers can be seen elsewhere in the nave taking aim.
They aren't suing and this isn't a money fight. They do have a point if Sony never asked permission. If they didn't and are using this cathedral for a game the owners of the cathedral disapprove of they may even have a court case.
They aren't suing and this isn't a money fight. They do have a point if Sony never asked permission. If they didn't and are using this cathedral for a game the owners of the cathedral disapprove of they may even have a court case.ZinkOxide
Then what about games like GRAW, Mercenaries, True Crime e.t.c.?
Wow, the church has sunk to a low level to deal this one out. I guess NYC can sue gaming companys for having games with guns based on their city? I guess someone is getting a little bit of Jack fever.
There not sewing. Churches dont do that. There just asking for an apology and that version of the game (not that hard, just edit the level)Educated_Gamer
It's usually the nuns that sew as far as I'm aware.
It's not just a case of "editing the level", they would have to recall all previous versions of the game from the shelves, redesign the level then manufacture thousands of the edited version to replace the recalled ones. If the level is a multiplayer one, that will create even more problems since everyone who bought the game before the change will have a level that's different to those who bought a new copy.
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