Church criticises gun game award

The Dean had urged Sony to withdraw the game from stores

The Dean of Manchester Cathedral has demanded the withdrawal of a violent computer game from an awards shortlist.

The Sony PlayStation game Resistance: Fall of Man uses the cathedral as a backdrop to a violent gunfight.

Sony apologised to church leaders earlier this year for using images of the interior without permission.

The game is now nominated for a British Academy Video Games Award, organised by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta).

The winner of the award is chosen by the public.

The Very Rev Rogers Govender has said the nomination is a "disgrace" and claimed other churches remained at risk of exploitation.

The Playstation game has been nominated for a Bafta award

In a statement, the Dean said: "It is a disgrace that Resistance: Fall of Man has been shortlisted.

"Sony has admitted that they did not have permission to film or use Manchester Cathedral in their computer game.

"Bafta should not be seen condoning such behaviour unless they are saying it is acceptable for producers to walk into historic buildings and film interiors - ignoring contracts, rights and liability."

The Dean had urged Sony to withdraw the game from stores, but the company refused.

He then called on Sony to abide by new "sacred digital guidelines" as he feared other buildings would be cloned for "virtual desecration".

Public vote

He added Sony's response to his plea had been "very limited" and other churches, cathedrals and historic sites remained at risk of exploitation.

The PlayStation 3 game is one of seven shortlisted for a PC World Gamers Award which will be presented at a Bafta ceremony in Battersea, London, on 23 October.

Anne-Marie Flynn, head of awards for Bafta, said: "Resistance: Fall Of Man has been nominated for the PC World Gamers' Award - the only publicly-voted award in this year's ceremony.

"The shortlist for the Gamers' Award was effectively selected by the public, in that it comprised the top-selling games on each platform according to the games charts published by Chart Track."

Sony was unavailable for comment on the award.