During the review process prior to the release of LittleBigPlanet, it has been brought to our attention that one of the background music tracks licensed from a record label for use in the game contains two expressions that can be found in the Qur’an. We have taken immediate action to rectify this and we sincerely apologize for any offense that this may have caused.
We will begin shipping LittleBigPlanet to retail in North America the week of October 27th. Sorry for the delay, and rest assured, we are doing everything we can to get LittleBigPlanet to you as soon as possible.
What happens to copies already with retailers?
rp2000
finally!
Shame on you. For a soundtrack? how low has SCE fallen…
Certainly you jest.
Is it April Fools Day?
Now we have to wait another 6 days to get this game because of some song lyrics?!
I’ll take the lyrics. Who cares?!
Just release a patch…
Good!
I’m offended that the game is delayed
the 27th, thank god its not the 14th, thanks for the quick response
seems offensive to not release this the way it was originally to a lot of people as well. I don’t like the way this world is becoming.
Stupid. Fable 2 for me then!
I still don’t see the point in the delay. Action should of been taken against the song, NOT THE GAME.
What about the EU region?
Wow I read about this but I didn’t think anyone would of found it so offensive, but this is just like the resistance church problem, it didn’t seem like it was a huge problem but I suppose to becareful so good job.
Oh no!! I don’t see how it’s considered offensive, as a Christian I wouldn’t be offended if quotes from the Bible were used…but oh well, Cest la vie!
As long as I get it this year I’ll be happy.
But it better not take too long!! lol.
I guess I’ll be buying Eternal Sontata next week instead….
It is just cowardly and possibly irresponsible to have done this. Once you put your fans behind everything else, it is hard to get them back. This was a fixable situation (a patch or do nothing at all) and you decided against those, which boggles my mind. I would not mind a delay for a sensible reason but this is just stupid.
So the game will launch the 27th?
The lines aren’t even in English, are they?
hope for only 1 week delay for all territories…
Exactly which day will it be released?
SAD….but I am glad it’s not the 14th of november like I read elsewhere
can we please get the demo back on possibly? I can’t take the wait! I take meds for depression and now I have to go see my psych to up the dose, unless you release a demo or put the beta back up…
Seriously? Over some words found in the Qu’Ran? How offensive could it be if it’s in the Holy Book itself? This seems like overzealous political correctness at its worst, to me. I can’t say I’m happy about this course of action. How many potential players of this game would even understand what they’re hearing? I know I wouldn’t, and I suspect 99% of gamers are the same.
And if it’s OK for a record label to sell music with the lyrics, then why is it not OK for a videogame to contain that song with those lyrics? I really think this could have just been left well enough alone. People these days are too sensitive, in my opinion.
Sorry for the rant, but this has been my honest opinion.
I totally agree with this decision. THese things happen and offending others religion is wrong and should be avoided.
Yeah, at least reactivate the beta test.
Ok 6 days that is better
That sucks.
But guys & gals – it’s one week.
If that really makes you mad, then, well, I don’t know what to say.
The words are:
1- In the 18th second: “كل نفس ذائقة الموت” (“kollo nafsin tha’iqatol mawt”, literally: ‘Every soul shall have the taste of death’).
2- Almost immediately after, in the 27th second: “كل من عليها فان” (“kollo man alaiha fan”, literally: ‘All that is on earth will perish’).
ouch. You’d have pissed off a lot less people with a day 1 patch, but it’s good you did something. (Not that I agree with the overall censorship, but as a company you have to give in to this crap or alientate a lot of people)
Just because the lines aren’t in English doesn’t mean it won’t offend others. I’ve read that the reason a patch couldn’t just be released is because not every PS3 owner is connected to the internet.
The reason behind the controversy is because it’s against the Islamic religion to mix direct quotes from the Qu’ran with music or some form of media… I don’t remember this part, exactly. This should have been caught earlier on during the testing phases.
Whatever the case, it shouldn’t be that long and LBP will be amazing, no matter what.
@ BrianC6234:
I agree! This is America! We have to put up with all sorts of anti-American and anti Christian stuff…and this game isn’t even anti anything!!!
But what can we do? The minority (one man so far from what I hear) is in control.
What a bunch of big babies.
Honestly, you regligous fanatics take things to unprecedented levels of retarded sometimes. Media Molecule, you and SCEA should have said “SHOVE IT” to those that were offended by this. The song in question is old, and is only now being attacked because its in a videogame.
Anyone who practices religion in anyway, should never play videogames. Stick to ancient texts and hypocrisy, the world of consumer electronics is clearly not for you. One would hope that you were so offended that you don’t actually buy the game now, so that we don’t have to put up with your idiocy come new-launch time.
Who is this musician and why is he/she creating music with this material in it if it is so offensive? Is he or she Muslim?
Just patch it, and put a beep over said lyrics, because the song itself ROCKS :)
Wow, you can tell how dissapointed people are. Every time I refresh this page, the rating box continues to drop…
Cowards.
Can you comment on if the week of 27th is applicable to UK/EU regions too?
Isn’t this what beta testing is for? Guess I might as well wait for Resistance 2 instead.
I can’t believe that Sony has sunk this low.
I’m offended by mm and Sony delaying this title. People are offended all the time, you can’t please everybody. I think you need to grow some balls and put inn to the game what you like. Some religious fanatics are offended by anything, they should stay away from movies, games, etc… ffs. In protest I may not buy your game now mm.
This is pathetic, Sony.
@29
They could delay it a year and it would still be the same to me. It’s just why it was delayed that bothers me.
btw, this is way beyond ridiculous, I know theres a sackboy of me and everything but this is TOO MUCH, I’ll summon Meteor over your houses >=(
Way to give in to ransom and terrorism, Sony.
WELL IT’S NOT AS BAD AS IT COULD’VE BEEN :D
It is in my opinion that Sony is making a huge mistake in delaying LBP over some quotes from the Qu’ran in a song. Music is the ultimate form of the freedom of expression. I cannot imagine a world without these freedoms. Sony is effectively saying that ‘we do not support freedom’. This is quite backward considering LBP is quite simply based on a platform of freedom. Freedom to build and create and share and play. As i’ve stated, the delay of this game is a huge mistake, and Sony risks alienating tons of gamers. Gamers are known for being radically against sensorship. This happens alot when games are refused ratings and need to be altered from the original vision. Gamers are not please over the delay, and will be even more upset over the reason for the delay.
To be quite straight, this is pure political bull**bleep**. And I, as many gamers would agree, prefer my gaming sans politics.
Man this sucks. I guess I’ll pick up Dead Space next week then….
I live on the East Coast – and beginning to ship to retail on October 27 means I won’t see the game for a while. That’s ok, I still love you guys. But i would like to see some primary source explaining this phenomenon.
Remember LL Cool J’s Gangster Paradise? That song quotes “As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death” which is straight out of the Bible. But alas, it is not against Christian law to use words of the Bible to music.
I’d like to see a 1st hand source that explains that MOST muslims (and not just those that interpret the Qur’an this way) would be offended by this song.
This is LAME.
Stores have had this game in for weeks. I’m SICK of street dates! Release the damn game if it’s out already.
I entirely agree with comment #32, just because they’re not english lyrics/words, doesn’t mean that they _couldn’t_ offend someone else.
It’s rough that it’s been delayed, but it’s worth it IMO, as to me it falls under the category of “The game will ship when it’s ready.”
I’d rather wait a week for LBP than have Mm come under possible political fire for letting it slip by when they _knew_ about it being in there.
At any rate, great work Mm, I can’t wait to play it, even if it’s until the 27th :)
(Heh, at least it gives me a few extra days to get my console back from Sony after it burned out on me…Weeeee!!!!!)
Here’s where to aim your blame, friends…
http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=littlebigplanet&thread.id=127194&view=by_date_ascending&page=1