Video Game Company Responds to Sikh Concerns Over Depiction of Religion as "Evil Cult"

May 22, 2004

Source: Hardware Zone

http://www.hardwarezone.com/news/view.php?cid=11&id=15467

On May 22, 2004 Hardware Zone reported, "Wimbledon-based publisher Eidos has released an official statement about the controversy over Hitman 2: Silent Assassin, which came under fire from Sikh groups for allegedly depicting the religions adherents as members of an evil cult. The publisher claims that it has now come to an 'amicable position' with the Sikh Coalition, and will respond by removing all relevant content from the Hitman 2 website, making changes to the forthcoming GameCube version of the title and taking steps to adapt the current editions of the game to edit out the offending content where possible. 'In recognition of the concerns and sensitivities which have been raised, Eidos and the developers, IO Interactive, have responded in both a socially and commercially responsible manner,' the statement reads. 'Eidos and IO Interactive would like to stress that no offence was intended but would like to apologise to the Sikh community and other persons for any offence taken.' The...company goes on to state that it has learned its lesson from the debacle, and will 'observe and respect cultural, religious and ethical sensitivities in its future products.'"