Legal Niches

Religious Groups Outraged by Online Game

By gamepolitics

An online game released more than a year ago is suddenly causing a stir in religious circles.

Faith Fighter, launched in January of 2008 by the always-provacative Molleindustria, allows players to pit various deities against one another in Mortal Kombat-style action. The virtual combatants in the game include a depiction of Allah, a serious no-no in the Muslim faith.

Metro.co.uk reports that some Christians, Hindus and Buddhists are upset as well. Douglas Miller, pastor of Birmingham's Link Church, told Metro:

This game is going out of its way to upset people and I think it should be taken off the internet. Playing violent video games will ultimately affect your behaviour and this game is deeply offensive and provocative.

An unnamed representative of the Federation of Muslim Organisations added:

In the current climate, this game can only create fear about religion. Having images depicting Muhammad in this way is also very offensive to our faith.

However, a spokesperson for Molleindustria defended the work:

[The purpose of the game is] to push gamers to reflect on how sacred representations are often used to fuel or justify conflicts between people.

Full post as published by GamePolitics.com on April 27, 2009 (boomark / email).