LittleBigPlanet recall catered to offline gamers

Wired gamers would have benefited from a launch day patch, developer Media Molecule says, but offline gamers would have still been able to the hear the offending content that "slipped through the screening process."

LittleBigPlanet recall catered to offline gamers

Offline gamers still influential it seems

"Within 12 hours of hearing about the issue involving a [sensitive Quran] lyric (in Somalian, I believe), Media Molecule had prepared an automatic day 0 patch and had a new disk image ready," the developer explained on Friday. "However a decision was made within Sony that the right thing to do for quality and support of people with no online was to replace existing disks."

The potentially offensive lyric, contained in a licensed song played during the Swinging Safari level, was discovered last week during a final quality control review. Sony reacted quickly, deciding to recall the game instead of patching it before its originally scheduled launch on October 21 (tomorrow).

"Apologies to everyone excited to play the game, and I can assure you that when it arrives, it will be worth the wait," Media Molecule added. "We want everyone to be able to enjoy the game, and this tweak should help -- we're just gutted it couldn't be sooner."

In related news, recalled copies of LittleBigPlanet have been selling for up to $250 on eBay, according to GamesIndustry.biz.

LittleBigPlanet will be available in North America starting next Monday, depending on store availability and proximity to shipping centers, the developer said. GamePro, playing the recalled version without knowledge of the sensitive content, awarded LittleBigPlanet a five star rating.

Comments [22]

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tparsons5150

"GamePro, playing the recalled version without knowledge of the sensitive content, awarded LittleBigPlanet a five star rating."

So it would have gotten a lower rating had you noticed the Lyrics?

blizake

Not necessarily, tparsons -- only that we reviewed the recalled version and didn't notice the lyric because we don't speak Somalian, that's all.

tparsons5150

blizake wrote:

Not necessarily, tparsons -- only that we reviewed the recalled version and didn't notice the lyric because we don't speak Somalian, that's all.

yeah I thought that's what it might have meant after i made the comment lol

Emyrs

i still think this recall is rather ridiculous. Stores all over the world were breaking the release date, especially in the UAE where there are people MORE LIKELY to be offended by the lyrics. So at this moment there are untold amounts of this game already in circulation. The damage is already done. how does it make any business sense to then suffer the loss of a world wide recall?

what makes it even more unbelievable is that LBP is first and foremost a community game. Developers, marketers and online gaming sites have stressed this point from day one. To then cater a recall to offline gamers, of a game that is predominantly online, is asinine.

Combat_Monkey

it makes business sense in the fact of plausable deniability when it comes to "offending" anyone. If a group files a complaint/demonstrates then Sony can say we pulled those copies and unfortunately someone went outside of guidelines. I agree it is ridiculous to cater to any group, especially in lyrics. I believe there will be much more offensive content created within the game than a few words.

Combat_Monkey

maybe I can find out the actual words said and create a level writing the lyrics. lol

Enigmatic420

It was probably something like, "God is Great, or something cool about Muhammed," but unless you're a Muslim, you're unable to speak highly about the prophet. Better not be anything in the game that could offend any other religions either, damnit.

monkbaine

I still would like to hear this "offensive lyric" and decide for myself it it's damaging or not.With all the internet sites available I'd have no problems getting a translation.

maise

I am wondering what will happen with the week 1 content, the space suit and the T-shirt, if no one has the game during week 1

slickjames

Can't belive this game got 5 stars I hate to admit I have to agree with gamepros dave on this one, if I buy a game it's the devs job to create the levels not mine. How can they give 5 stars to a game with no story no ending no bad guys or boss fights. For those of you who like the game good for you but to me it's the most boring dumb thing I ever saw.

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