The Wardman Wire

I’ve been following this story. Various news sources are reporting the start of talks between Sony and the authorities at Manchester Cathedral.

Via Christianity Today:

Sony has begun talks with the Church of England following complaints from the Church over violent action sequences in a shooting game for the new PlayStation 3 console that take place in Manchester Cathedral.  

There is further coverage in The Sidney Morning Herald:

Sony Corp’s video game unit says it has begun talks with the Church of England over a complaint a cathedral is used in scenes of a violent shooting game for Sony’s new PlayStation 3 console.  

The company had heard about the church’s complaint through the media earlier, but began direct talks with the church “yesterday or today,” Sony Computer Entertainment spokeswoman Nanako Kato said in Tokyo.

Also in the Church Times, a point that I have not seen highlighted before. The game is restricted to adults in the USA. In the UK, it is rated as “Age 15″:

The Manchester diocesan communications officer, David Marshall, said on Wednesday that the issue had generated wide interest. “There is great concern around the world about linking violence to a place of worship. It is interesting that in the US the game is an 18, whereas here it is a 15.”  

And, coverage has reached “places other issues cannot reach”:

• North San Diego and Southwest Riverside County News
• The Age, Australia
• Chicago Tribune
• Toronto Star